Senior Quality Engineer

GM•Rochester, NY

22d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Quality Engineer builds on the Quality Engineer foundation and adds broader ownership across plant quality systems, approvals, customer and supplier issue resolution, BIQ compliance, and cross-functional problem solving without direct people-leader responsibility. This role is intended for a fully qualified, experienced individual contributor who works independently with minimal guidance, applies broad functional knowledge and advanced analytical problem solving, influences cross-functional partners, breaks down complex issues into actionable solutions, drives results through expertise, credibility, urgency, sound judgment, and collaboration, and serves as a resource for less experienced employees. The successful candidate provides quality expertise across daily operations, change management, PPAP and customer communications, BIQ, capability and process control reviews, and escalation of quality risks, while partnering closely with manufacturing, engineering, supplier quality, and other stakeholders across the site.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, quality, or equivalent experience
3+ years. Strong manufacturing quality experience with deep understanding of plant quality systems, non-conforming material control, fast response, problem solving, change management, and PPAP processes.
Working knowledge of BIQ/quality system basics, customer-specific requirements, site procedures, audit processes, and AIAG core tools including PPAP, MSA, SPC, PFMEA, and APQP.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with ability to resolve non-standard issues using independent judgment and limited information.
Ability to work independently with minimal guidance and act as a resource to less experienced team members.
Strong communication and influencing skills across cross-functional partners.
Technical proficiency in tools and systems used in the role, such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Minitab/QDAS, Teamcenter/PFCM, SPPS, SQMS, and related plant quality systems.

Nice To Haves

Red X, Six Sigma, or equivalent structured problem-solving certification.
Experience using plant metrics and data to drive gap closure, scrap reduction, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Independently manage plant quality activities built on the core Quality Engineer scope, including containment, non-conforming material review, hold area disposition, customer complaints, fast response, supplier issues, troubleshooting, FTQ and scrap reaction, temporary job instructions, standard work review, and end-of-shift communication.
Take ownership of significant quality issues and drive resolution through structured problem-solving data analysis, escalation, and corrective action follow-up.
Serve as a senior cross-functional quality representative in turnover meetings, daily quality meetings, project teams, PDT and customer meetings, continuous improvement reviews, and change management forums.
Build effective working relationships with manufacturing, engineering, supplier quality, and customer-facing teams to drive alignment and execution.
Influence decisions, clarify priorities, and help teams move complex issues to resolution.
Own or support customer complaint response, fast response, SPPS, containment, breakpoint verification, outside sort coordination, and escalation of suspect material or emerging issues.
Maintain focus on PPAP, PTR, breakpoint management, customer communications, SQMS submissions, and on-time quality approvals that protect the customer and the plant.
Facilitate gap, scrap, alarm, and continuous improvement reviews using Pareto, metrics, and problem-solving tools to improve plant quality performance.
Participate in and influence change management through CIB and related review processes, ensuring items are understood, assigned, verified, and executed correctly.
Maintain strong adherence to BIQ, site procedures, customer-specific requirements, the Global Quality Manual, and AIAG core tools including PPAP, MSA, SPC, PFMEA, and APQP.
Identify key operations and support quarterly reviews of process control plans, PFMEAs, process documentation, and capability performance.
Prioritize daily plant issues quickly and thoughtfully, balancing customer, supplier, production, and quality system demands.
Escalate concerns early, speak candidly about risk, and keep teams focused on facts, solutions, and execution.
Work safely and reinforce a strong safety mindset through safety talks, focus tours, required training, and disciplined adherence to plant policies and procedures.
Maintain document control, ILM awareness, gage disposition discipline, and audit readiness in support of compliance and quality system integrity.