Advanced Quality Engineer (NPI / Project Development – Automotive)

Reports To: Corporate Quality Manager

Matrix Collaboration: Project Manager, Technical Lead, R&D, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Control and others Role Overview.

The Advanced Quality Engineer (AQE) serves as the quality lead for all product and process quality activities during the project development and industrialization stage. Reporting to Corporate Quality, the AQE works closely with the Project Manager and Technical Lead to ensure all customer, internal, and regulatory quality requirements are effectively built into the design and manufacturing process from concept through SOP (Start of Production). The AQE ensures new products are developed right the first time, supporting a smooth transition to production with stable, compliant, and reliable quality performance in accordance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements.

Job Responsibilities

1. Project Quality Leadership Represent the Quality function in the project core team, providing leadership on all quality-related activities. Participate in quotation and feasibility reviews, providing quality cost, risk, and resource input. Define and track project quality objectives and metrics based on customer and corporate targets. Lead the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process and ensure all quality deliverables are completed on time.

2. Design and Validation Quality Collaborate with R&D and Technical teams to apply Design for Quality (DFQ), Design for Manufacturability (DFM), and Design for Reliability (DFR) principles. Lead preparation and maintenance of DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and DVP&R documentation. Define and verify inspection and measurement methods; review and approve gauges, AOI/AVI systems, and test fixtures. Plan and coordinate product validation testing to confirm compliance before customer approval and SOP.

3. Supplier and Process Readiness Collaborate with Supplier Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure supplier and process capability readiness. Lead PPAP submissions and process validation in line with IATF 16949 requirements. Conduct or participate in system, process, and product audits to verify process stability and control.

4. Issue Management and Continuous Improvement Track and drive closure of quality issues using structured methods (8D, RCCA, DMAIC). Interface directly with customers on quality topics—requirements, issue resolution, documentation, and approval. Capture and share lessons learned from development phases for continual improvement. Support corporate initiatives for quality system enhancement and risk reduction.

Qualifications & Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree or above in Mechanical, Electronics, Optics, Manufacturing, or related engineering field.

2. Minimum 5 years of quality experience, including ≥ 2 years in automotive NPI or Advanced Quality roles.

3. Strong knowledge of IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and structured problem-solving.

4. Experience interfacing with OEM/Tier-1 customers and supporting customer audits. Excellent communication, analytical, and cross-functional leadership skills.

5. English proficiency is a plus.