Quality Systems Engineer

 Entry-level position responsible for assisting with local Quality Management System (QMS) activities, document control, audit execution, and continuous quality monitoring. Supports the Quality Manager/IATF Supervisor in maintaining compliance with IATF 16949 and ISO standards, maintaining auditor competency tracking, uploading documents into PLEX, and tracking customer scorecards and corrective action items across assigned facilities. 

IATF Strategy & Compliance Support:

• Assist the IATF / QMS Supervisor with schedule tracking and document alignment across IATF 16949 and ISO requirements.
• Review, update, and distribute IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 standards, Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs), and FAQs.

Document Control & PLEX Operations:

• Assume responsibility for formatting, uploading, archiving, and maintaining site QMS documentation, procedures, work instructions, and forms in PLEX.
• Verify document formatting, assist with assigning document identifiers, and maintain the Master Document Log in PLEX.
• Audit floor-level documents to ensure proper revision control and discard obsolete files.

Auditing Execution & Tracking:

• Coordinate and maintain audit schedules for QMS internal audits, manufacturing process audits, product audits, and external certification audits.
• Teach, schedule, perform, and track Layered Process Audits (LPAs).
• Assist with scheduling and reviewing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) special process assessments (e.g., CQI-15, CQI-23).
• Perform QMS internal audits, product audits, and manufacturing process audits as assigned.

Auditor Competency Management (Internal & Second-Party):

• Maintain active lists of qualified internal auditors (QMS, manufacturing process, product) and second-party auditors.
• Track and document auditor initial qualifications, including core training (automotive process approach, risk-based thinking, IATF/ISO, Core Tools, customer requirements, audit reporting/closing).
• Document competency verification methods, such as shadow audits under qualified lead auditors or documented prior training/experience.
• Track ongoing auditor skill development and verify that each qualified auditor completes the required minimum of 5 audits per year.
• Verify technical competency requirements: PFMEA/Control Plan understanding for Manufacturing Auditors, and test/measuring equipment competency for Product Auditors.

Corrective Actions & Continual Improvement:

• Track and manage Corrective Action Requests (CARs) to closure and review active countermeasure effectiveness.
• Follow up on corrective actions derived from unachieved KPIs or lack of adherence to Customer-Specific Requirements (CSRs).
• Maintain the Lessons Learned Log derived from Certification Body (CB) audit findings and execute cross-site feed-forward activities across plant networks (PCNs).

Customer Requirements, Scorecards & Reporting:

• Access customer portals to extract, track, and report on site customer scorecards and quality metrics.
• Maintain and update Customer-Specific Requirement (CSR) matrices.
• Complete and submit requested International Material Data System (IMDS) material reports to customers.

Education 

High School Diploma or Equivalent required.

Associate degree or formal vocational/technical training in quality, engineering, or manufacturing is a plus.

Functional Experience

• 0–2 years of manufacturing experience or coursework in Quality Management (5+ years preferred for non-degreed candidates, but not required)
• Must be able to document, track and close all open issues in a common format and apply the corrective actions to operational improvement initiatives.
• Computer Skills - preferably with above average proficiency of Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc) as well as MS office applications.
• Prior training, coursework, or certifications in Quality Management (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001, Quality Auditing) is highly preferred.
• Willingness to complete initial auditor qualification training in the automotive process approach, risk-based thinking, core tools, and audit reporting.
• Exposure to or willingness to learn PLEX ERP/QMS software.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
• Ability to walk manufacturing shop floors for document and process auditing. 

Industry Experience

• Automotive background preferred
• Experience working in organizations where continuous improvement and "field standardization" has been part of the company's culture would be another advantage and experience leading a cultural transformation, including the integration of acquired companies. 

Core Competencies

• Technical Knowledge (Developed through training/on-the-job):Basic understanding of IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 standards.  Basic knowledge of Quality Core Tools: APQP, PPAP, FMEA (PFMEA), MSA, SPC, Control Plans, and Turtle Diagrams.
• Ability to learn and navigate OEM/Customer portals and systems. 
• Can shift gears comfortably, make decisions, act on instinct, delegate and move on, and handle risk and uncertainty comfortably.
• Can be counted on to push and communicate goals, consistently focus on the team on objectives and performance, is bottom-line oriented, and is service-oriented to support the operational leaders in the business.
• Lead Internal and external audits, identify system deficiencies and implement corrective actions with evidence
• Relates well to all levels of an organization, builds strong relationships, uses diplomacy and tact, and can defuse even high-tension situations comfortably. 
• Sees ahead clearly, anticipates consequences, and trends, has broad knowledge and perspective, is future-oriented, can articulate possibilities and likelihoods, and supports continuous improvement strategies and assists with site integration and process standardization.
• Strong decision making and problem-solving expertise to potentially address quality concerns.

Required Skills

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail is paramount for accurate documentation, data entry, and audit tracking to prevent quality issues. 
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills are needed to troubleshoot measurement issues and optimize inspection processes. 
• Analytical Skills: The capacity for strong analytical thinking helps in analyzing data and identifying potential manufacturing problems. 
• Communication: The ability to clearly communicate technical information and inspection findings to other team members, including non-specialists. 
• Organizational Skills: Good organizational skills help in managing programs, data, and maintenance schedules efficiently. 

Other Requirements

• Hands-on, working with an entrepreneurial spirit but willing and able to get hands dirty.
• Ability to quickly inspire confidence and establish trust, respect, credibility, and rapport with management, employees and third-party external stakeholders.
• Ability to act independently.
• Trusted to manage highly confidential and sensitive matters
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Action-oriented-accustomed to leaning from the front
• Excellent listening skills - including the ability to hear the concerns of operational lead they require to achieve their goals.
• It is essential that this person be perceived as a genuine, thoughtful, with outstanding strategic, ability, and relatively low ego.
• A sense of urgency to drive department velocity at a rate of equal to or faster than that of the senior team.
• Able to build positive working relationships with plant personnel, process owners, and external auditors.