Quality Engineer

HSM • Hickory, NC

2d • $77,000 - $124,000

About The Position

As a Quality Engineer, you will combine technical knowledge, data analysis, and practical problem-solving to improve product and process quality. You will support quality systems, manufacturing and supplier quality, product launches, audits, and continuous improvement. The role serves as a technical resource for quality technicians and production teams and works across operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams.

Success in this role means helping reduce scrap and process variation, resolving quality concerns at their root cause, strengthening supplier and manufacturing performance, and improving readiness for audits and product launches so processes consistently deliver quality products to customers. The position may require up to 30% travel to support other facilities, audits, customer needs, product launches, and quality improvement projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• Three or more years of Quality Engineering experience, preferably in automotive, transportation, or high-volume manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and VDA 6.3 requirements.
• Experience supporting quality systems, audits, and customer-specific requirements.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, GD&T, and inspection criteria.
• Experience with dimensional inspection tools and process capability studies, including Cpk and Ppk.
• Experience using structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, 5 Why, and Ishikawa analysis.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into practical improvements.
• Clear communication skills and ability to collaborate across operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Organized, detail-oriented approach and ability to manage priorities independently.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with Minitab, SPC software, and ERP/MRP systems.

Responsibilities

• Support and improve quality systems aligned with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and VDA 6.3.
• Create and maintain PFMEAs, Control Plans, work instructions, and layered process audits.
• Analyze scrap, first-pass yield, PPM, and other quality metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support the Material Review Board process and help resolve nonconforming material.
• Review supplier PPAP submissions, quality documentation, corrective actions, and launch-readiness risks.
• Track supplier performance and help coordinate corrective actions and issue resolution.
• Support APQP activities, including feasibility reviews, process validation, capability studies, and launch-readiness assessments.
• Prepare and maintain PPAPs, first article inspections, capability studies, and related quality records.
• Analyze product and process data using SPC tools to identify trends, variation, and potential risks.
• Lead or support structured root cause investigations using methods such as 8D, 5 Why, and Ishikawa.
• Participate in Gemba walks, plant meetings, internal audits, customer audits, and cross-functional improvement projects.
• Help strengthen receiving inspection, document control, QMS training, and cost-of-poor-quality reduction efforts.
• Serve as a technical resource for quality technicians and production teams.
• Travel up to 30% to support other facilities, audits, customer needs, product launches, and quality improvement projects, as needed.

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including an innovative global healthcare option for qualified participants.
• 401(k) with company match, fully vested from day one.
• Competitive PTO: 3 weeks of PTO plus company-paid holidays.
• Free on-site medical clinics for employees and covered dependents.
• 24/7 Teladoc access with no copay.
• Tuition reimbursement, professional development assistance, and career growth opportunities.
• Discounts with HSM partners, including Dollywood Parks & Resort and Verizon Wireless.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level