Quality Engineer – IATF 16949

Job title: Quality Engineer – IATF 16949

The Quality Engineer – IATF 16949 is responsible for maintaining and improving the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, customer-specific requirements (CSR), and internal quality standards. This position serves as the site subject matter expert for quality systems, internal audits, management review processes, corrective actions, customer-specific requirements, and registrar audit preparedness.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• IATF 16949 Quality Management System

• Maintain and improve the site's IATF 16949 Quality Management System.

• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 requirements, customer-specific requirements, and internal procedures.

• Manage Quality System documentation including procedures, work instructions, forms, process maps, and records.

• Review and implement changes to IATF requirements, sanctioned interpretations and customer-specific requirements.

• Coordinate document control activities and ensure proper revision management.

• Internal & External Audit Management

• Develop and maintain annual audit schedules.

• Lead Internal System Audits, Process Audits, Product Audits, LPAs, and supplier-related audit activities.

• Coordinate third-party registrar audits, customer audits, and corporate assessments.

• Support audit preparation activities across all functional areas.

• Track findings, corrective actions, and effectiveness reviews through closure.

• Monitor repeat findings and drive systemic corrective action implementation.

• Corrective Actions & Continuous Improvement

• Facilitate root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies.

• Lead corrective and preventive action processes to address audit findings, customer concerns, process nonconformances, and system issues.

• Verify effectiveness of implemented corrective actions.

• Drive continual improvement initiatives focused on process effectiveness, risk reduction, and quality performance improvement.

• Promote the use of data-driven decision making and quality tools.

• Customer-Specific Requirements (CSR)

• Maintain current customer-specific requirement databases and reference materials.

• Assess compliance with Ford, Stellantis, Dana, and other customer requirements.

• Communicate CSR updates to affected departments and process owners.

• Incorporate customer requirements into procedures, audits, management reviews, and operational processes.

• Management Review & KPI Governance

• Coordinate Management Review activities in accordance with IATF requirements.

• Maintain quality system metrics and reporting processes.

• Analyze quality KPI performance including:

• Audit completion and closure rates

• LPA completion and effectiveness

• Customer concerns and corrective action effectiveness

• Prepare executive summaries and leadership reports.

• Risk Management & Core Tools Support

• Support maintenance of Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEAs, Control Plans, and risk-based thinking activities.

• Verify alignment between documented quality system requirements and operational controls.

• Support APQP, PPAP, change management, and launch readiness activities as needed.

• Ensure quality system integration with AIAG Core Tools requirements.

• Training & Compliance

• Provide training and guidance regarding IATF 16949 requirements and quality system processes.

• Support competency development for internal auditors and process owners.

• Ensure compliance with record retention, document control, and quality-related training requirements.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Quality, Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field required and 3 years of experience, preferably in manufacturing/automotive.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience supporting or maintaining an IATF 16949 certified quality management system.

• Experience conducting internal audits and supporting external audits.

• Experience with corrective actions, risk assessments, and process improvement initiatives.

• Knowledge of customer-specific requirements and AIAG Core Tools.

• Automotive manufacturing experience preferred.

• Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).

• ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).

• IATF 16949 Internal Auditor certification.

• Lead Auditor certification (IATF 16949 or ISO 9001).

• Experience supporting surveillance, recertification, or customer audits.

• Experience facilitating Management Review activities.

Skills

• Technical Skills

• Thorough understanding of IATF 16949:2016 requirements.

• Strong understanding of ISO 9001 requirements.

• Knowledge of AIAG Core Tools: APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans

• Experience conducting Internal System, Process, Product, and Layered Process Audits.

• Understanding of customer-specific requirements (Ford, Stellantis, etc.).

• Strong root cause and corrective action methodology skills.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and manufacturing standards.

• Strong analytical and statistical problem-solving abilities.

• Professional Skills

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Strong project management and coordination ability.

• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Detail-oriented with strong documentation discipline.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Self-motivated and capable of working independently.

• Computer Skills

• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• SAP experience preferred.

• Experience with audit management, document control, and quality data systems preferred.

• Ability to analyze and present quality system metrics and KPI trends.

• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin.