Quality Engineer

Essential Purpose Of This Position

The Principal Quality Engineer serves as a key liaison between Magnet Wire Operations and our automotive customers. This role leads APQP projects, ensures alignment of the Quality Management System (QMS) with customer-specific requirements, and drives continuous improvement in production methods, processes, and customer care. Responsibilities include leading PPAP submissions, process capability analysis, PFMEAs, Control Plan development, and timely resolution of customer concerns.

Customer Interface

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Quality contact for automotive customers, managing customer Quality Portal systems and strengthening customer relationships through clear communication and collaboration.
• Support Customer Care processes, coordinate responses to customer incidents, and travel to customer sites as required to ensure issues are addressed effectively.
  
  

Manufacturing Interface

• Partner with manufacturing sites to resolve customer issues, conduct root cause analysis, and coordinate the implementation of effective countermeasures.
• Audit corrective actions to ensure long-term effectiveness, while mentoring team members on best practices in quality engineering.
  
  

APQP & New Product Introduction

• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities to ensure successful Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions that meet customer expectations.
• Develop and maintain PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, and apply statistical process control (SPC) methods to monitor process capability.
• Use tools such as Minitab and SPC for Excel to analyze data and recommend improvements.
  
  

Customer Care & Problem Solving

• Implement and maintain a robust quality containment process.
• Lead structured problem-solving using 8D methodology, 5Y, Ishikawa diagrams, and other root cause analysis techniques.
• Provide timely updates to customers and internal stakeholders, ensuring results and actions are communicated clearly and professionally.
  
  

Quality System Support

• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and customer-specific automotive requirements.
• Conduct internal, process, product, and layered process audits (LPA), and prepare audit reports, training materials, and responses for external audits.
• Review industry specifications to maintain compliance and stay current with evolving standards.
• Mentor employees on quality system expectations, provide training, and foster a culture of quality and teamwork across departments.
  
  

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering field (or equivalent experience)
• 5–8 years of experience in customer-facing Quality roles within manufacturing (automotive preferred)
• Demonstrated expertise in Quality Core Tools (PPAP, Control Plans, PFMEA, Process Flow Diagrams, SPC, and MSA)
• Proven experience with customer care, problem solving, and new product introduction in the automotive industry
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and statistical software such as Minitab
• Lead Auditor training and certification preferred
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification strongly desired
• Excellent communication, team-building, organizational, and mentoring skills