Lead Quality Engineer

Lead Quality Engineer Adient Lakewood Plant

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Performance Management

• Weld Cut & Etch Knowledge and Experience (Leading a team of technicians is even better)

• Able to Support Leading Floor Quality Technicians at times

• Lead and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality process capability and operational efficiency.

• Serve as the senior technical authority for resolving complex customer and supplier concerns using structured methodologies (8D KepnerTregoe etc.).

• Ensure full compliance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements across all quality deliverables.

• Lead crossfunctional quality reviews and drive rapid containment corrective action and preventive action activities.

APQP Launch Support & Program Leadership

• Lead the preparation review and submission of complete PPAP packages ensuring accuracy and ontime approval.

• Drive supplier APQP readiness ensuring suppliers meet all quality documentation and launch requirements.

• Serve as a key quality leader for new program launches ensuring process validation readiness and deliverable completion.

• Coordinate and lead customer-facing reviews on APQP timing engineering changes and open issues.

Gage Process Control & Statistical Expertise

• Oversee validate and approve gage studies (Gage R&R Bias Linearity Stability) prior to production use or after engineering changes.

• Lead the development maintenance and auditing of Control Plans Inspection Plans and Containment Plans.

• Support PFMEA development and ensure alignment between PFMEA Control Plan and shopfloor documentation.

• Utilize advanced statistical tools and coach the team on SPC methodologies data-driven decision making and proper statistical application.

Customer & Supplier Interface

• Act as the primary point of contact for assigned customers managing all quality-related communication and escalations.

• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through proactive updates rapid responsiveness and professional communication.

• Coordinate sorting rework or on-site containment activities when .

• Travel to customer sites (1025%) to support issue resolution and represent the plant quality organization.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide daytoday leadership to Quality Technicians Cut & Etch Operators and junior Quality Engineers.

• Assign tasks review work quality and implement corrective action when needed.

• Mentor and train team members on problemsolving quality systems customer portals and plant processes.

• Support the Quality Manager with strategic planning and departmental improvement initiatives.

Systems Documentation & Technical Support

• Lead the creation maintenance and auditing of quality documentation including ODS Control Plans and compliance requirements.

• Use customer systems such as Stellantis PRISM GM PRR Ford WERS Honda NARS and others as .

• Approve postSOP supplier PPAPs and verify supplier compliance.

• Support process validation and capability studies for critical and significant characteristics.

Additional Responsibilities

• Collaborate with HSE and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure safe efficient work practices.

• Complete all training mandated by Adient and OEM customers.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Quality Manager.

• Exercise independent judgment in situations not fully defined by established procedures.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelors degree in Engineering (or equivalent technical experience).

Experience

• 5 years of experience with an engineering degree OR
  9 years of experience without a degree but with relevant certifications/training.

• Minimum 5 years of Quality Engineer experience in highvolume manufacturing.

• Automotive manufacturing experience with Tier 1/2/3 experience strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated success leading root-cause analysis problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Strong record of reliability teamwork and professional communication.

• Weld Cut & Etch Knowledge and Experience (Leading a team of technicians is even better)

• Able to Support Leading Floor Quality Technicians at times

Technical Skills

• Formal training in core quality disciplines including:

• ISO 9001 / IATF 16949

• PPAP FMEA Control Plans

• SPC MSA DOE

• Continuous Improvement & Total Quality Management

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint) and quality software tools.

• Experience with GMAW and Laser Welding strongly preferred.

• Assembly experience preferred especially in automotive or highvolume operations.

Certifications (Preferred)

• APQP certification strongly preferred

• CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) strongly preferred

• IATF 16949 certification preferred

Competencies

• Strong leadership coaching and team development abilities.

• Excellent analytical and rootcause problemsolving skills.

• High customer focus and professional communication skills.

• Strong time management with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.

• Success working cross-functionally in collaborative fast-paced environments.