Launch Quality Engineer: Automotive APQP Lead

Description The strong preference is for this role to be based at our Clinton, TN facility. We are also open to candidates working from our Burlington, NC or Port Huron, MI locations, provided they can meet the travel and business requirements of the position. Establish and maintain strong customer relations and ensure customer satisfaction. Have a thorough understanding of customer expectations and coordinate the internal effort to meet those expectations. Responsibilities Responsible for customer interfacing on quality issues for assigned responsibilities. Support the Supplier Quality team with supplier responsible quality issues during the launch process. Lead or support problem solving activities for internal/external concerns during the launch process. Audit Advanced Quality Planning (APQP) documentation for assigned programs. Maintain data collection systems for process, product, and customer feedback during the launch process. Initiate actions to create boundary samples with customers during the launch process as applicable. Communicate and hand-off boundary samples and requirements to production quality and operations teams. Control further processing and delivery of nonconforming products, including all deviation requests during launch process. Coordinate PPAP activities with the respective regional PPAP Coordinator as needed. Report weekly to management regarding timelines. During slow periods, perform internal and/or support external audits based on ISO 9001:2015/IATF 16949/VDA requirements to maintain compliance. Maintain customer quality documentation as assigned. Daily monitoring of customer portals during launch. Other duties as assigned. Requirements Minimum of four (4) year degree or ASQ Certified Quality Engineer Certification, or equivalent combination of education and experience. At least three (3) years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, including at least one (1) year of experience as a Launch/Advanced/APQP Quality Engineer. Automotive manufacturing experience strongly preferred. Minimum of one (1) year experience in a customer interfacing role. Minimum of one (1) year experience in APQP on new products in automotive industry. Basic AIAG or related quality system knowledge. Capable of working in an international environment. High level of computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word/Excel. Must be detail-oriented. Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and measurement system analysis (MSA). Strong organizational skills, with ability to manage several tasks and/or projects simultaneously. Knowledge of IATF 16949 and/or VDA standards with certified auditor credentials being preferred. Bi-lingual English/Spanish or English/German a plus. PHYSICAL DEMANDS – basic computer work, standing and sitting in office and manufacturing plant environment, may require material lifting and movement manually. Must be available for approximately 25-50% travel, including domestic and international, if necessary.