Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality Engineer

Job Description

This Quality Engineer role supports a large-scale manufacturing transfer and launch initiative at a high-volume automotive facility specializing in metal stamping, roll forming, and robotic welding. The position focuses on launch quality, PPAP ownership, engineering changes, and customer approvals as new stamping equipment, tooling, and structural automotive part programs are integrated into the plant. You will serve as the primary quality resource for PPAP development, customer submissions, launch readiness, quality documentation, dimensional validation, and ongoing customer communication. This is a highly visible position that partners closely with manufacturing, tooling, engineering, and customer teams to ensure successful launch execution and approval of new and transferred automotive programs, with a strong emphasis on structured APQP processes rather than traditional day-to-day production quality support.

Responsibilities

• Own complete PPAP submissions from initial planning through final customer approval.
• Prepare, compile, and submit PPAP documentation through OEM and Tier 1 customer portals in accordance with customer-specific requirements.
• Support manufacturing transfers, tooling moves, and launch readiness activities for new and transferred stamping programs.
• Develop, maintain, and update Control Plans that reflect current process conditions and customer expectations.
• Create and maintain PFMEAs to identify, assess, and mitigate potential failure modes in new and transferred processes.
• Develop and maintain Process Flow Diagrams to clearly define process steps, interfaces, and control points.
• Create and maintain Inspection Plans and launch quality documentation to support trial builds, pre-production, and production ramp-up.
• Support quality loops, trial builds, prototype runs, and launch validation activities to ensure parts meet dimensional and functional requirements.
• Coordinate customer notifications related to program transfers, engineering changes, and launch activities, ensuring timely and accurate communication.
• Perform dimensional reviews and analyze measurement results to validate tooling, equipment, and process capability.
• Analyze quality data and process trends using SPC, run charts, and capability studies to identify issues and drive improvements.
• Interpret SPC data, run charts, process capability indices, and other quality metrics to assess process stability and capability.
• Partner with manufacturing and tooling teams during equipment installation, tryouts, and production startup to ensure quality requirements are integrated and met.
• Review supplier PPAP packages to verify compliance with internal and customer-specific requirements.
• Conduct Layered Process Audits (LPAs) to verify adherence to process standards and support IATF-related compliance initiatives.
• Support IATF compliance activities by maintaining documentation, participating in audits, and reinforcing standardized processes.
• Lead or support containment activities when quality concerns arise, ensuring suspect product is identified, controlled, and dispositioned appropriately.
• Participate in root cause investigations and develop robust corrective actions using 8D or similar structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Address customer quality concerns by coordinating internal investigations, preparing responses, and driving sustainable corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, tooling, and customer representatives, to ensure successful launch execution and ongoing quality performance for new and transferred automotive programs.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of Quality Engineering experience within automotive manufacturing.
• Extensive hands-on PPAP ownership experience, including preparation, submission, and management of customer approvals.
• Strong working knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) methodologies.
• Proficiency in PPAP requirements, documentation, and customer-specific expectations.
• Ability to develop and maintain detailed Control Plans for automotive manufacturing processes.
• Experience creating and maintaining PFMEAs for new launches, engineering changes, and transferred programs.
• Ability to develop Process Flow Diagrams that clearly define process steps and control points.
• Working knowledge of Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and its application to production measurement systems.
• Proficiency with Statistical Process Control (SPC), including interpretation of control charts and process capability indices.
• Experience using 8D or similar structured corrective action methodologies to address quality issues.
• Experience working directly with OEM and Tier 1 customer portals for PPAP submissions, approvals, and ongoing communication.
• Experience supporting engineering changes, product launches, and manufacturing transfers within an automotive environment.
• Ability to read and interpret run charts, quality metrics, and dimensional data to assess process performance and product conformity.
• Strong communication skills for coordinating with internal teams and external customers during launch and change activities.
• Ability to work independently as the primary quality resource while effectively collaborating in cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Automotive stamping experience is strongly preferred, particularly with structural components produced through metal stamping operations.
• Experience supporting welded assemblies, structural automotive components, body-in-white (BIW), chassis, frame, or stamping operations.
• Serving in roles such as PPAP Coordinator, Launch Quality Engineer, APQP Engineer, or Customer Quality Engineer.
• Familiarity with IATF requirements and their application within automotive manufacturing environments.
• Experience conducting Layered Process Audits (LPA) to verify process adherence and drive continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with OEM customer approval systems and processes for launch and engineering change management.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced launch environment with multiple concurrent programs and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements.
• Attention to detail in documentation, record-keeping, and adherence to customer-specific requirements.

Work Environment

The role is based in a high-volume automotive manufacturing facility that specializes in metal stamping, roll forming, and robotic welding for structural vehicle components. The plant is undergoing a major manufacturing expansion, with additional stamping operations, equipment, and tooling being transferred into the facility, creating a dynamic and growth-oriented environment. The selected Quality Engineer will primarily support program launches associated with new stamping equipment and transferred part programs entering the plant, working closely with manufacturing, tooling, and engineering teams on the shop floor and in office settings. The primary schedule is a first-shift position, typically 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with flexibility in start time during core first-shift hours to support launch and transfer activities as needed. The environment involves regular interaction with production lines, tooling installations, trial builds, and validation activities, requiring a hands-on approach to process verification, dimensional checks, and quality audits. Standard industrial safety practices apply, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment when on the production floor.

This is a Contract position based out of Milan, MI.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $48.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Milan,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email for other accommodation options.

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

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.