Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer

This Quality Engineer role focuses on leading customer-facing quality activities, driving problem resolution, and supporting new product launches in an automotive manufacturing environment. You will serve as the primary contact for customers on quality issues, manage quality systems and documentation in line with IATF and automotive standards, and lead continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving tools and lean manufacturing principles. The position offers significant room for growth, including the opportunity to develop into a Quality Manager role, while working with highly automated processes producing interior automotive components such as carpet and felt.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the main point of contact for customers on quality issues and ensure timely, professional communication and resolution.
• Lead corrective action activities (CARs) and drive rapid resolution of quality problems, ensuring sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage customer complaints, product returns, and non-conforming products from initial identification through closure and documentation.
• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities for new product launches.
• Ensure all PPAP documentation is accurately prepared, maintained, and submitted on time in accordance with customer and automotive requirements.
• Coordinate View email address on click.appcast.io activities and launch readiness reviews to verify production capability and readiness for volume manufacturing.
• Maintain compliance with IATF requirements and support the ongoing effectiveness of the quality management system.
• Oversee Statistical Process Control (SPC), process capability studies, Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), calibration systems, and inspection standards to ensure robust process control.
• Own and maintain key quality documents including PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Flows, Standard Work, and Work Instructions, ensuring they are current and effective.
• Lead root cause investigations using tools such as 5 Why, Fishbone diagrams, Six Sigma methodologies, and Value Stream Mapping to identify and eliminate sources of defects.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions that improve product quality, reduce defects, and enhance process capability.
• Manage quality requirements for new product launches from prototype through full production, ensuring compliance with customer and internal specifications.
• Coordinate dimensional validation, pre-launch inspections, PPAP sample submission, and other launch-related quality activities.
• Train production teams on new processes, quality requirements, and standards to ensure consistent execution and understanding on the shop floor.
• Lead and support the Quality team by promoting a culture of safety, 5S, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Maintenance, Suppliers, and other cross-functional teams to address quality concerns and improve processes.
• Provide regular updates to management on launch risks, quality concerns, key metrics, and progress on improvement actions.
• Support supplier quality activities, including communication of requirements, issue resolution, and continuous improvement with suppliers.
• Use data analysis to monitor quality performance, identify trends, and prioritize improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate leadership without formal authority by influencing cross-functional teams and driving alignment on quality priorities.

Essential Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering.
• Minimum of three years of experience working with quality systems, procedures, and practices for an automotive supplier in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with quality engineering activities, including quality system documentation and quality systems management.
• Thorough understanding of IATF requirements and automotive standards, including APQP procedures and requirements.
• Proven problem-solving ability, with demonstrated experience using structured root cause analysis tools.
• Launch experience supporting new product introductions in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Customer interface experience, including managing customer complaints, PPAP submissions, and quality escalations.
• Strong manufacturing process knowledge, particularly in an automotive production setting.
• Data analysis skills, including the ability to interpret SPC, capability studies, and other quality metrics.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and practices.
• Ability to provide leadership without formal authority, influencing cross-functional teams toward quality objectives.
• Knowledge of ISO-based quality management systems and ISO standards.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective interaction with customers, internal teams, and suppliers.
• Experience in the automotive industry, preferably with exposure to interior automotive components.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar enterprise systems for managing quality-related data and processes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Black Belt certification or equivalent Six Sigma training is highly desirable.
• Experience with ISO-based quality systems and audits.
• Experience in automotive interior manufacturing, such as headliners, door liners, soundproofing materials, carpet, or felt components.
• Supplier quality experience, including working directly with suppliers on quality issues and improvement initiatives.
• Self-starter mindset with the ability to work independently and proactively identify and address quality risks.
• Experience working with highly automated manufacturing processes.
• Interest in and potential for growth into a Quality Manager position.
• Experience supporting or collaborating with another Quality Engineer within a lean quality team structure.

Work Environment:

This role is based in a manufacturing environment that produces interior automotive components, including carpet and felt for vehicle interiors, as well as related products such as headliners, door liners, and soundproofing materials. The facility features a high level of automation and offers significant opportunities to work with advanced manufacturing technologies and equipment. You will collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Maintenance, and Supplier teams on the production floor and in office settings, supporting both day-to-day operations and new product launches. The quality team is lean, with one other Quality Engineer on the team, providing broad exposure and responsibility across quality systems, customer interactions, and continuous improvement initiatives. The organization has previously undergone workforce reductions, so adaptability and a hands-on approach are important. A culture of safety, 5S, professionalism, and continuous improvement is emphasized throughout the work environment.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Louisville, KY.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $43.27 - $45.67/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type:

This is a fully onsite position in Louisville, KY.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 19, 2026.

About Actalent:

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be