Quality Engineer

JTEKT Column Systems North America•Hopkinsville, KY

About The Position

JTEKT Column Systems North America is seeking a Quality Engineer to assist with developing and implementing quality procedures in compliance with TS/IATF quality system standards, interpreting customer and internal product quality standards, and participating in or coordinating APQP activities. The role ensures procedures and work instructions are implemented to meet quality system requirements and supports process changes when needed. The Quality Engineer coordinates APQP and PPAP activities, supports metrology and supplier quality, contributes to the SPC and corrective action systems, and provides quality support to manufacturing and customers. The position reports to the Quality Manager and has no supervisory responsibility. Work takes place in both professional and manufacturing environments, with local travel to various worksites. Typical hours are Monday through Friday; extended hours and possible weekend work are required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
CQE, CQA, or a four-year degree, or willingness to obtain one within one year.
At least two years of automotive experience.
Familiarity with TS/IATF system requirements.
Experience in problem solving and reporting, such as 8-D, PR/R, or QR.
Computer literacy.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Team-oriented and self-motivated.
Willingness to travel.
Ability to stand, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl occasionally; walk, sit, talk, and use hands regularly; and occasionally lift up to 32 pounds unassisted.
Ability to use a computer for extended periods and talk on the phone; required vision includes close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Experience in blueprint reading and GD&T.
Experience in internal or external system auditing.
Metrology experience, including CMM, gage calibration, or measuring systems.
Experience in advanced quality planning.
Supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Participate in or coordinate internal APQP activities, including schedules and status reports.
Work with Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials, and Purchasing to provide required documents and tests.
Coordinate check fixture and gage development and provide customer support as needed.
Coordinate PPAP submissions for assigned programs, maintain submission manuals and status reports, alert management to schedule concerns, and communicate approvals to affected departments.
Develop gage control and calibration systems; supervise or perform assigned part layout activities, including prioritization and problem resolution; and perform CMM programming as assigned.
Communicate metrology problems to appropriate departments and ensure corrective actions are taken and documented.
Participate in material review board meetings as assigned.
Supervise Receiving Inspection and associated activities as assigned; monitor supplier corrective actions; and coordinate supplier APQP and PPAP activities.
Assist with development and implementation of SPC procedures, including training, problem solving, and review meetings; ensure Control Plan requirements are met; and support manufacturing root cause analysis and problem solving.
Assist with coordination of the JCSNA Corrective Action System, maintain customer corrective actions, and participate in or coordinate corrective action activities as assigned.
Provide quality support to assigned areas, communicate internal and external quality concerns, train plant associates on quality procedures and inspection methods, and develop and maintain inspection instructions.
Handle customer calls for assigned areas, issue return authorizations as needed, follow up, and issue customer corrective action requests for customer concerns.
Process potential and capability studies as needed and prepare monthly activity reports.
Travel locally to various worksites.
Work extended hours and possible weekends as required.