Quality Engineer

Tenneco•South Bend, IN

12d

About The Position

The Quality Engineer analyzes engineering specifications and monitors operational processes to develop and install quality control and assurance methods, practices, and procedures for a designated area or operation. The position recommends dimensions and characteristics to inspect and techniques to follow, participates in developing and maintaining TS16949 policies and procedures, and regularly works with team members and customers. It also contributes to a safe workplace and minimizes negative environmental impacts by complying with applicable EHS policies, procedures, work instructions, and training requirements. The role serves as the primary quality interface among customers, production, and suppliers. It leads or coordinates quality concerns, corrective actions, APQP activities, new product launches, PPAP documentation, nonconforming material investigations, containment, and continuous improvement. It supports production and supplier quality, maintains quality documentation, and ensures quality information and customer-specific requirements are communicated and applied. The position promotes safety, environmental compliance, accountability, consistent quality, and 5S practices. It requires communication, mathematical, and computer skills; competency in core automotive quality methods; and the ability to travel. Physical demands include occasionally lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 60 pounds, sitting for extended periods, and working around fuel mixtures, moving parts, and electrical power.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field with five years of manufacturing experience; automotive industry experience is a plus, with three years in quality or relevant machining-discipline experience preferred; OR ASQ CQE with ten years of manufacturing experience, including at least five years in the automotive industry and five years in a quality-related position.
Clearly communicate with employees and customers.
Have better-than-average mathematical skills and computer (PC) skills.
Maintain confidentiality of information.
Be able to travel.
Have competency in APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, and SPC.
Be able to occasionally lift, push, and/or pull up to 60 pounds.
Be able to sit for extended periods on a continuous basis.
Be able and willing to work around fuel mixtures, moving parts, and electrical power.

Nice To Haves

Automotive industry manufacturing experience is a plus.
Relevant experience in a machining discipline is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary quality interface across customers, production, and suppliers.
Lead and coordinate customer, internal, and supplier quality concerns, including corrective action system activities.
Manage quality-related communication and ensure timely escalation and resolution of issues.
Lead APQP activities and support new product launches.
Coordinate, compile, and submit customer and supplier PPAP documentation.
Define, communicate, and ensure application of customer-specific and supplier requirements.
Support production as the quality representative; identify quality risks and scrap trends, and drive reduction efforts.
Lead or support investigation and disposition of nonconforming or questionable material.
Develop, maintain, and improve PFMEAs, Control Plans, and Process Flow Charts.
Lead PFMEA risk-reduction and continuous improvement programs.
Ensure incoming inspection and supplier quality requirements are applied and effective.
Interface with Production, Engineering, Process Technicians, Purchasing, Corporate SQA, and external suppliers as needed.
Manage containment activities such as GP12 and define exit criteria.
Ensure relevant quality information is accurately reported and effectively disseminated across the organization.
Promote and support a safety-first workplace, identify and report unsafe conditions, and stop work when necessary.
Comply with applicable EHS policies, procedures, legal requirements, operational controls, and ISO 14001-consistent procedures; understand and report environmental aspects and nonconforming activities.
Identify and timely address nonconforming work, materials, or procedures, and initiate action to prevent nonconformities, including stopping work on suspect product until deficiencies are corrected.
Take ownership of work and demonstrate accountability, honesty, and transparency.
Follow 5S principles by maintaining, cleaning, organizing, and improving work areas.
Meet high standards of safety, quality, integrity, and performance; pursue continuous learning and improvement; maintain attendance and punctuality; communicate respectfully; and support leadership in meeting plant and business unit objectives.
Perform other duties as assigned.