Product Quality Engineer, BIW & Closures

About the position

This role plays a critical part in ensuring that automotive products meet the high standards of safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction, particularly in the structural integrity of the vehicle and its functional components like doors and hatches. A Product Quality Engineer: BIW “Body in White” and Closures is responsible for ensuring that automotive components related to the vehicle’s body structure (BIW) and closures (doors, hoods, tailgates, etc.) meet quality standards. This role typically focuses on ensuring the durability, functionality, and safety of these components throughout the product development and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quality standards for Body in White (BIW) and closures.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and testing teams to ensure the quality of components meets or exceeds safety and performance requirements.
• Conduct root cause analysis and troubleshooting of issues related to BIW and closure components.
• Perform dimensional and structural audits on BIW and closures to ensure they adhere to engineering specifications.
• Support the design and engineering teams during the product development process by providing insights on potential quality concerns and ensuring manufacturability.
• Validate product design through physical and virtual tests, ensuring the BIW and closures meet safety regulations and customer expectations.
• Work closely with suppliers to develop robust quality control plans and ensure adherence to product specifications.
• Continuously monitor production processes, identifying areas for improvement to reduce defects and improve efficiency.
• Use data from quality tests and production to recommend design or process changes to enhance the overall quality of the product.
• Implement corrective actions based on customer feedback, warranty claims, or production issues.
• Ensure that all BIW and closure parts comply with regulatory standards, including safety and environmental guidelines.
• Maintain proper documentation related to quality inspections, tests, audits, and certifications.
• Lead or participate in quality audits, ensuring that internal and external standards are being met.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, design, engineering, supply chain, and customer support to resolve quality-related issues.
• Work with suppliers to ensure that components meet company quality standards, conducting supplier audits as necessary.
• Communicate product quality issues and resolutions effectively to all levels of the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Advanced knowledge of quality assurance methodologies such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis).
• 3-5+ years of experience in automotive quality engineering, specifically related to BIW and closures.
• Experience in process control, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in using 3D CAD software for evaluating design quality and tolerances.
• Knowledge of BIW construction methods such as welding, stamping, and adhesive bonding.
• Familiarity with testing and validation procedures for automotive closures, such as environmental, safety, and durability testing.
• Ability to interpret GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and technical drawings.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Nice-to-haves

• Certifications in Quality Management (e.g., Six Sigma Black Belt, CQE).
• Experience working with international teams or suppliers.
• Familiarity with automotive safety regulations and compliance testing.

Benefits

• Competitive insurance including: Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans.
• 401(k) program with: An employer match and immediate vesting.
• Generous Paid Time Off including: 20 days planned PTO, as accrued.
• 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually.
• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders.
• Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave.