Job Description

Quality Engineer
Portland, TN

Position Overview
A leading automotive manufacturing organization is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Quality Engineer to join their team. Reporting to the Quality Manager, this individual will serve as the primary liaison for customer quality matters and ensure all quality standards, policies, and continuous improvement goals are met. The ideal candidate will combine strong customer-facing communication with technical shop-floor expertise in automotive core tools, metrology, and root cause problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary contact for customer quality issues and lead containment and root cause problem-solving initiatives (CARs, 8Ds).
• Create, update, and maintain critical quality documentation, including Control Plans, FMEAs, Process Flow Diagrams, and In-Process Inspection records.
• Lead Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) teams and manage Open Issues Logs.
• Support production teams with dimensional inspections, SPC, gage usage, and gage design reviews.
• Perform weld and assembly validations (cut and etch, push-out, torque, tensile testing) and complete annual validations/PPAPs.
• Operate CMM systems for part verification following established setups and programs.
• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) activities, layered audits, and internal/external quality audits under IATF 16949 standards.
• Support department training for engineers and technicians in problem-solving tools and technical inspection methods.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Metrology, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics Engineering (or equivalent relevant hands-on quality experience).
• At least 5 years of overall manufacturing experience, with a minimum of 3 years in automotive manufacturing.
• 5 to 10 years cumulative experience in quality functions.
• Master-level understanding of Automotive Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, MSA, FMEA, Control Plans).
• Master-level knowledge of GD&T, SPC, Gage R&R, and Root Cause Analysis methodologies.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with CMM operation and weld/assembly testing.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills with a hands-on "Go-See" approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Familiarity with software tools such as Minitab, PC DMIS, QCBD, ShopEdge, and customer-specific portals.
• Formal IATF 16949 internal auditing training.

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