Quality Engineer (Manufacturing)

Summit Polymers•Kalamazoo, MI

About The Position

This technical position supports product quality assurance functions, including new-product quality-system and tool development, customer PPAP approval, product-quality support for external customers, support for internal production operations, administration of internal quality systems, and root-cause problem solving to eliminate quality defects. The role reports to the Manager, Quality (Manufacturing) and is classified as exempt. The Quality Engineer contributes to product design and development, prepares and maintains APQP quality documents, verifies compliance with statutory, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements, and supports launch readiness and safe-launch activities. The role also works with suppliers and customers on quality plans, PPAPs, product concerns, warranty data, containment, investigations, and corrective actions. Internally, the position supports plant operations, quality audits, continuous improvement, metrology, and quality inspectors and technicians. It leads or supports Practical Problem Solving activities and documents and shares corrective actions. The position typically requires up to 15% travel and may require support during off-hours.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in an engineering field or related science discipline is preferred; 3–5 years of experience in an automotive quality function is required as an alternative to the degree.
Agreement to complete all required post-hire training.
Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and customer websites.
Knowledge of AIAG quality core tools, including APQP, PPAP, MSA, GD&T, and FMEA.
Knowledge of problem-solving methodologies such as Toyota Practical Problem Solving and 8D.
Knowledge and understanding of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards.
Knowledge of metrology tools and methods.
Knowledge of SPC and statistical analysis, with related software skills such as Minitab or similar.
Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with all levels of Summit Polymers and customer organizations, including negotiation, training, and presentation of problem-solving results.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Minimum Wonderlic Select Assessment score of 50, or a traditional cognitive-portion score of 26.
Ability to travel as required; the position typically requires up to 15% travel.

Nice To Haves

ASQC CQE certification.
Experience as an Internal Auditor for IATF 16949 or ISO 9001.

Responsibilities

Perform quality assignments during product design input and output processes, ensuring product quality considerations and tools are addressed.
Develop, use, and maintain Summit Polymers and APQP quality documents, including PFMEAs, process flows and control plans, inspection standards, and inspection and launch instructions.
Ensure quality plans comply with applicable statutory, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements.
Review, interpret, and communicate technical drawings and related technical information, including GD&T and testing requirements.
Use Measurement Systems Analysis to qualify gages, fixtures, and other metrology equipment, and use statistical analysis to assess process normality and capability.
Support Corporate Supplier Quality Engineering with supplier product development, drawing and tolerance reviews, quality control plans, supplier run-at-rate activities, and supplier PPAP reviews and approvals.
Manage the Appearance Approval Report process, including coordination with suppliers, development of internal color tolerances, and participation in customer color-harmony events.
Assemble and submit or present PPAP information to customers before launch and for post-launch changes.
Access, update, and maintain customer web applications used during product development and customer quality support.
Perform and oversee safe-launch containment inspections and determine corrective actions for findings.
Support launch preparation, including associate training, internal trials, customer run-at-rate activities, on-site customer builds, and launch readiness and effectiveness reviews.
Train and support on-site customer quality liaisons before launch.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with external customers; respond promptly to customer quality concerns and escalate them to quality and manufacturing management.
Travel to customer locations as needed for containment, investigations, corrective-action presentations or disputes, warranty reviews, proactive visits, and customer build events.
Review customer warranty data and develop appropriate corrective actions and responses.
Support plant operations with technical knowledge and research to resolve quality concerns and questions.
Develop, maintain, and conduct internal Layered Process Audits and take appropriate corrective actions based on findings.
Participate in customer, internal quality, supplier quality, and IATF/ISO audits.
Support continuous-improvement activities that improve standardized work methods and operational efficiency.
Use industry-standard metrology equipment to qualify and calibrate products, processes, fixtures, and tools as needed.
Guide quality inspectors and technicians in performing their responsibilities.
Provide off-hours support when required for matters related to the role's duties.
Lead, perform, and support Practical Problem Solving activities to define problems, identify root causes, and develop corrective actions for customer, internal, and supplier quality concerns.
Document corrective actions in PPS A3 or customer-specific problem-solving formats and share them with affected functions, corporate teams, sister plants, and suppliers.