Quality Manager for Vehicle Process Engineering GAPE

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Vehicle Process Engineering is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes that ensure safe, high-quality, and efficient vehicle production. This role owns the Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) process and is accountable for station launch readiness across all vehicle manufacturing operations. The manager leads a team of process engineers to deliver robust manufacturing processes, mitigate production risks, and achieve flawless product launches while meeting safety, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline.
8+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experience within automotive or vehicle manufacturing.
3+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams.
Demonstrated experience leading PFMEA development and governance.
Proven experience supporting vehicle launches and Start of Production (SOP).
Experience with APQP, PPAP, Control Plans, and AIAG/VDA Core Tools.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Expert knowledge of vehicle assembly manufacturing processes.
Experience with launch readiness planning and manufacturing validation.
Knowledge of ergonomic analysis, standardized work, and cycle time optimization.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and engineering software.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred
Familiarity with MES, manufacturing data systems, and engineering documentation tools.

Responsibilities

Manage quality teams to perform Stellantis MPRQ process from Initial milestone to Start of production.
Lead the development, implementation, and governance of PFMEAs for all vehicle assembly processes.
Ensure PFMEAs are completed, maintained, and updated throughout product and process lifecycle changes.
Drive cross-functional collaboration to identify manufacturing risks and implement effective mitigation plans.
Verify alignment between PFMEAs, Control Plans, Standardized Work, and Quality documentation.
Monitor high-risk failure modes and ensure corrective and preventive actions are effectively implemented.
Champion continuous improvement of PFMEA methodology using AIAG & VDA standards and industry best practices.
Own station launches readiness for new vehicle programs and major process changes.
Develop and execute launch readiness plans, ensuring manufacturing stations meet all quality, safety, tooling, and operational requirements prior to production.
Lead manufacturing readiness reviews, process validation activities, and production trials.
Ensure all stations meet cycle time, ergonomic, safety, quality, and throughput requirements.
Coordinate issue resolution during pilot builds and launch events to achieve successful Start of Production (SOP).
Track launch metrics and drive closure of open issues before production milestones.
Establish standardized manufacturing processes across vehicle assembly operations.
Drive manufacturing process capability improvements using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
Ensure compliance with corporate manufacturing standards and regulatory requirements.
Partner with Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Production, Maintenance, Supplier Quality, and Launch teams.
Support Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews during vehicle development.
Participate in APQP, PPAP, and launch readiness activities.
Communicate manufacturing risks and mitigation plans to senior leadership.
Analyze production data to identify process improvements.
Lead root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, etc.).
Reduce defects, improve first-time-through quality, and enhance manufacturing efficiency.
Drive lessons learned from launches into future vehicle programs.