Quality Engineer – Quality Center in Clinton, Tennessee at SL Tennessee

Provide advanced technical quality and problem-solving support within the Quality Center, including complex issue investigation, corrective action, supplier/customer coordination, and transfer of technical knowledge between U.S. operations and global engineering/quality teams. This role is intended as a technical assignment; expatriate status is an assignment designation and not a qualification for the position.

• Lead or support investigation of complex product, process, supplier, and customer quality concerns.
• Perform structured root-cause analysis and develop technically sound containment, corrective, and preventive actions.
• Support rapid response to line disruptions, customer complaints, repeat defects, launch issues, and high-risk quality events.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, measurement results, process data, defect samples, and manufacturing conditions to identify failure mechanisms.
• Coordinate technical communication and issue resolution between U.S. teams and applicable global engineering, quality, manufacturing, and supplier teams.
• Support transfer of product/process knowledge, lessons learned, standards, and technical expectations to U.S. Quality Center personnel.
• Support supplier corrective-action activity, technical reviews, onsite investigations, and verification of corrective-action effectiveness.
• Prepare and review 8D reports, problem-solving documentation, technical reports, and customer/supplier responses.
• Support APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, process change, launch, and engineering-change activities as assigned.
• Participate in audits, customer reviews, warranty/field issue analysis, and special quality projects.
• Train and mentor Quality Center personnel on products, processes, diagnostic methods, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Escalate unresolved technical risks and recurring quality issues to the Quality Center Manager and Purchasing Manager.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Typically 5+ years of automotive/manufacturing quality engineering, process engineering, supplier quality, or related technical experience.
• Demonstrated experience with structured problem solving, 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, data analysis, corrective action, and verification of effectiveness.
• Knowledge of automotive quality tools and requirements, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and IATF 16949 preferred.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, measurement data, and manufacturing process information.
• Strong cross-cultural communication and technical knowledge-transfer skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

Problem Solving • Accountability • Urgency • Cross-Functional Collaboration • Data Analysis • Communication • Continuous Improvement • Customer Focus

Work is performed in office and automotive manufacturing environments. The role may require extended periods on the production floor, use of required PPE, walking/standing, and occasional travel to supplier, customer, or other SL locations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.