Senior Quality Systems Engineer

Overview : 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience supporting Quality Management Systems (QMS), audits, compliance activities, and quality process deployment within automotive or manufacturing environments. 
• This role is responsible for leading the development, implementation, integration, and continuous improvement of Client Quality Management System (QMS) and Quality Operating System (QOS). 
• The successful candidate will support quality processes across manufacturing, supplier quality, operations, and cross-functional teams while ensuring compliance with automotive quality standards and certification requirements. 
• The ideal candidate is a highly autonomous quality professional with strong experience in quality systems management, audit leadership, process development, data-driven decision making, and organizational change management.
• This individual will play a critical role in building and scaling quality systems within a fast-paced automotive startup environment. 

Key Responsibilities :

Quality Management System Leadership 

• Lead the development, implementation, integration, and deployment of Client Quality Management System (QMS) 
• Manage quality systems throughout startup, validation, rollout, user adoption, and continuous improvement activities 
• Establish scalable quality processes, methods, tools, and governance structures across the organization 
• Partner with stakeholders to collect requirements, prioritize enhancements, and drive long-term quality system strategy 
• Ensure quality systems remain compliant, reliable, secure, and capable of supporting organizational growth 

Audit & Certification Management 

• Lead preparation and execution of ISO and IATF certification activities 
• Support internal and external audits while ensuring compliance with applicable quality standards 
• Drive corrective actions resulting from audit findings and certification requirements 
• Assist with supplier audit activities and support overall supplier quality initiatives 
• Maintain documentation and processes necessary to support ongoing certification compliance 

Quality Process Development & Continuous Improvement 

• Develop and improve quality-related processes, methods, standards, and best practices 
• Support implementation of corrective and preventive action programs 
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on process efficiency, quality performance, and operational excellence 
• Lead special projects related to quality system enhancement, process optimization, and organizational excellence 
• Define and support Quality Operating System (QOS) and Quality Excellence initiatives 

Quality Data & Performance Management 

• Monitor quality system performance and identify areas requiring improvement 
• Support data collection, reporting, analysis, and quality performance tracking activities 
• Leverage data to support root cause analysis, corrective actions, and business decisions 
• Improve data accuracy, accessibility, and quality-related reporting capabilities 
• Develop metrics and reporting tools that support strategic quality objectives 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, Engineering, Operations, IT, and other business functions 
• Coordinate quality system integration efforts across various departments and platforms 
• Collaborate with external vendors and technology partners supporting quality initiatives 
• Support organizational alignment on quality standards, processes, and continuous improvement objectives 

Training & Quality Culture Development 

• Provide coaching, guidance, and training for quality system users 
• Support organizational adoption of quality processes and best practices 
• Promote a culture focused on quality, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence 
• Serve as a subject matter expert for quality systems, processes, and compliance requirements  

Profile:  

• Experienced quality systems professional capable of operating independently with minimal supervision 
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for quality performance and compliance 
• Comfortable working within fast-paced startup and growth-oriented environments 
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence cross-functional teams 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills 
• Data-driven decision maker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities 
• Passion for quality excellence, continuous improvement, and operational effectiveness 
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously  

Must Have:  

• 10+ years of experience supporting Quality Management Systems (QMS) within automotive or manufacturing environments 
• Strong experience leading or supporting ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 audit activities 
• Experience developing, implementing, deploying, or improving quality systems and related processes 
• Knowledge of automotive quality methodologies including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, and MSA 
• Experience driving corrective actions, preventive actions, and continuous improvement initiatives 
• Experience collaborating with Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Supplier Quality, and cross-functional teams 
• Strong project management and organizational leadership capabilities 
• Experience leveraging data and reporting to support quality performance improvements 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced and evolving organization 
• Permanent US work authorization required 
• VDA, ISO, or IATF audit experience required 

Good to Have : 

• Lead auditor certification (IATF, ISO, or VDA) 
• Experience supporting automotive startup, launch, or greenfield manufacturing environments 
• Experience integrating QMS platforms with PLM, MES, or ERP systems 
• Previous leadership experience overseeing quality system deployments or major quality initiatives 
• Experience supporting supplier quality and manufacturing quality organizations 
• Knowledge of quality software platforms and enterprise quality systems 
• Experience building quality processes from the ground up 
• Exposure to Quality Excellence, Operational Excellence, or Business Excellence programs 
• Previous experience within OEM or Tier 1 automotive organizations