Independent Contractor Role as APQP/PPAP Quality Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Independent Contractor - 1099

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Automotive Quality Engineer / APQP-PPAP Specialist to support automotive manufacturing and supplier-quality projects on a contract basis.

This is not an entry-level or developmental quality engineering position . The successful contractor must be capable of independently managing and executing the complete APQP and PPAP process with minimal supervision.

The individual must have extensive hands-on experience preparing, reviewing, completing, and submitting automotive PPAP packages and managing APQP activities from program launch through production approval.

Candidates should be comfortable working directly with manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, customers, and plant leadership to drive product and process readiness.

Primary Responsibilities

The contractor will be responsible for independently performing automotive APQP and PPAP activities, including:

• Lead and manage the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process for assigned automotive programs.
• Develop, maintain, and execute APQP timing plans and launch-quality deliverables.
• Prepare complete PPAP submissions in accordance with AIAG, IATF 16949, and applicable customer-specific requirements.
• Determine and manage PPAP submission levels and required supporting documentation.
• Coordinate PPAP activities with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, laboratories, and customers.
• Develop and review Process Flow Diagrams .
• Develop and facilitate PFMEAs .
• Develop and maintain Control Plans .
• Review customer drawings, engineering specifications, tolerances, and special characteristics.
• Ensure special characteristics are properly flowed through the drawing, Process Flow, PFMEA, Control Plan, work instructions, and inspection requirements.
• Coordinate and review Measurement System Analysis (MSA) activities.
• Review and interpret Gage R&R studies.
• Coordinate dimensional layouts and product validation requirements.
• Review material and performance test results.
• Coordinate capability studies, including Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk as applicable.
• Support initial process studies and production-validation builds.
• Coordinate and support Run-at-Rate and capacity-validation activities when required.
• Complete and maintain PPAP documentation including:
• Design Records
• Engineering Change Documentation
• Customer Engineering Approvals
• DFMEA, when applicable
• Process Flow Diagrams
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• MSA Studies
• Dimensional Results
• Material Test Results
• Performance Test Results
• Initial Process Studies
• Qualified Laboratory Documentation
• Appearance Approval Reports, when applicable
• Sample Production Parts
• Master Samples
• Checking Aids
• Customer-Specific Requirements
• Part Submission Warrants (PSW)
• Submit PPAP packages to customers and manage corrections, revisions, and resubmissions through final approval.
• Manage customer PPAP portals and submission systems where applicable.
• Track PPAP open issues and drive closure of outstanding deliverables.
• Support prototype, pre-production, and production-intent builds.
• Participate in manufacturing feasibility reviews.
• Evaluate production-process readiness prior to SOP.
• Support launch containment and Safe Launch / GP-12 activities where required.
• Identify APQP and launch risks and escalate issues that could impact timing, quality, capacity, or customer approval.
• Support engineering and manufacturing changes after PPAP.
• Determine when changes require customer notification, PPAP resubmission, or additional validation.
• Support problem solving and corrective action related to launch or PPAP issues.
• Participate in customer and supplier APQP, launch-readiness, and quality meetings.
• Maintain accurate APQP status reporting and communicate program risks to project leadership.

Required Experience

Applicants must have significant hands-on automotive APQP and PPAP experience .

Minimum qualifications include:

• 5+ years of automotive Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, or Launch Quality experience , with substantial direct APQP and PPAP responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience personally completing full PPAP packages .
• Demonstrated experience leading or independently managing APQP programs .
• Strong working knowledge of AIAG APQP and PPAP methodologies .
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 automotive quality-system expectations.
• Extensive experience with:
• Process Flow Diagrams
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• MSA
• Gage R&R
• SPC
• Process Capability
• Special Characteristics
• Engineering Changes
• Run-at-Rate
• Safe Launch
• Corrective Action
• Ability to read and interpret automotive engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Ability to identify and interpret GD&T and dimensional requirements.
• Experience working directly with automotive customers and/or Tier 1 automotive suppliers.
• Experience managing customer PPAP comments, rejections, and resubmissions.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing-process controls and launch readiness.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple APQP and PPAP deliverables simultaneously.

Strongly Preferred Experience

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• OEM or Tier 1 automotive manufacturing
• Supplier Quality Engineering
• New-product launch
• Injection molding
• Metal stamping
• Welding
• Machining
• Assembly
• Painting / coating
• Electronics
• Automotive interiors
• Automotive exterior components
• Powertrain components

Experience with customer-specific systems or requirements from organizations such as the following is also beneficial:

• BMW
• Mercedes-Benz
• General Motors
• Ford
• Stellantis
• Volkswagen
• Toyota
• Honda
• Hyundai / Kia
• Other major automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers

Software / Technical Skills

Candidates should be proficient with:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• PowerPoint
• Automotive customer portals
• PPAP documentation systems
• Statistical-analysis tools such as Minitab or equivalent

Experience with ERP, QMS, Smartsheet, SharePoint, or customer-specific APQP tracking systems is beneficial.

Contractor Expectations

This engagement is intended for an experienced 1099 independent contractor who can immediately take ownership of assigned APQP and PPAP responsibilities.

The contractor must:

• Supply the expertise necessary to independently perform assigned work.
• Manage agreed deliverables and deadlines.
• Communicate risks and delays proactively.
• Maintain professional communication with customers and project stakeholders.
• Produce accurate, customer-ready documentation.
• Work with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Be capable of entering an active automotive program and quickly assessing PPAP/APQP status and remaining gaps. 

Education

Required:

Bachelor's degree in:

• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Quality
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• or a related technical discipline

Extensive automotive APQP/PPAP experience may be considered in place of a degree depending on the assignment.

Preferred: 

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer
• IATF 16949 Auditor Training
• AIAG APQP / PPAP Training
• AIAG-VDA PFMEA Training
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• VDA 6.3 Process Auditor

Screening Requirement

Applicants should be prepared to discuss specific examples of:

1. A complete PPAP they personally prepared and submitted.
2. A difficult PPAP rejection and how they resolved it.
3. A PFMEA they developed or significantly revised.
4. A Control Plan they developed from a PFMEA.
5. An MSA or capability issue they identified and resolved.
6. An automotive launch they supported through APQP.
7. A customer-specific requirement that changed the normal PPAP process.
8. A manufacturing-process risk they identified before SOP.