Job Description

The Customer Quality Engineer (CQE) plays a key role in ensuring exceptional quality performance for our automotive and industrial manufacturing customers. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a hands-on environment, enjoys solving complex problems, and is confident representing the company directly with customers. 

As a CQE, you will lead customer concern investigations, drive root‑cause and corrective‑action activities, support engineering changes, and contribute to successful new product launches. You will work closely with Production, Engineering, and Supplier Quality to maintain robust systems that meet or exceed demanding automotive and manufacturing quality standards (such as APQP, PPAP, and IATF expectations).

This is an on-site role and requires a professional who is comfortable collaborating face-to-face with customers, shop‑floor teams, and internal stakeholders. It is not an IT, software engineering, or remote-based position—it's a true manufacturing quality engineering role for someone who wants to be deeply engaged in the process.

While the position is based entirely at our facility, some travel may be required as needed to support customer visits, issue resolution, and program activities.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Customer Concerns: Coordinate customer concern responses, including initial communication, containment actions, root cause analysis, corrective action development, action item follow‑up, and verification of customer satisfaction.
• Corrective Actions: Lead cross‑functional problem‑solving teams to implement effective, sustainable corrective actions.
• APQP / New Launches: Collaborate with Program Managers to support APQP activities and defect‑prevention efforts for new product launches.
• Customer-Specific Requirements: Interpret customer-specific requirements and integrate them into Trans-Matic’s Quality Management System (QMS).
• Print & Design Reviews: Perform print reviews for new product introductions and major engineering changes.
• PPAP: Support development and submission of PPAPs for assigned customer accounts or product families.
• Inspection Plans: Lead the creation of inspection plans, criteria, and measurement strategies for new products and engineering changes.
• Production Support: Partner with Production Quality Engineers (PQEs) to support product quality on the manufacturing floor.
• Metrics & Strategy: Actively contribute to departmental, plant, and corporate metrics in support of annual strategic goals.
• ECR Management: Investigate, initiate, and process ECRs, including data coordination, negotiation/approvals, and advanced quality planning.
• Internal Auditing: Participate as an Internal Auditor to support compliance with the Quality Management System.
• Continuous Improvement: Support evaluation and improvement of quality systems, procedures, and processes.
• Supplier Coordination: Collaborate with the Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) to address supplier-related issues impacting customer quality.
• Other Duties: Lead or support additional projects as assigned.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a manufacturing quality role, including direct customer-facing experience and responsibilities. 
• Automotive industry experience required. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Education and experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), including:
  • Descriptive statistics (mean, range, standard deviation, control charts, etc.)
  • Inferential statistics (capability analysis, distributions, fit analysis, sampling, probability, etc.)
• Training and experience applying formal problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, A3, DMAIC, PDCA).
• Experience and functional competency in metrology.    

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Automotive APQP and PPAP experience.
• Experience in the metal stamping industry.
• ISO/IATF experience, including system auditing.
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, Minitab, etc.)