APQP Engineer

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Quality Manager, The APQP Engineer ensures a smooth product launch by managing quality planning and working with customers, suppliers, and internal teams. They oversee the APQP process, develop control plans, assess risks, and ensure compliance with quality standards. This role helps resolve quality issues, supports continuous improvement, and ensures products meet customer expectations. The APQP Engineer is expected to inspire and lead their teams by setting the example and driving the 5 C’s (Care, Commit, Connect, Communicate, & Celebrate).

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participating in the implementation and development of an advanced product plan.
• Working with design engineers to make design reviews for products, track the first-time prototype builds, and report their capabilities.
• Reviewing the drawing for correctness and completeness.
• Verifying the tolerances are achievable with the required capability.
• Providing feedback on similar process/product failure modes.
• Coordinating various activities within the plant.
• Implementing product quality planning throughout the design of new or revised products and processes, emphasizing the prevention of problems.
• Providing process engineering support in both machining and assembly.
• Line balancing and cycle time improvement.
• Serving as core team member on new product development / 3P teams.
• Developing and ensuring that program goals including quality and reliability are met in compliance with specifications and standard work.
• Identifying gaps and creating closure plan for quality and reliability targets.
• Reviewing the control plan/inspection plan to reflect failures.
• Facilitating problem-solving process for DV / PV open issues.
• Being the customer liaison for APQP/PPAP/DV/PV/Customer launch issues.
• Supports and enforces the principles of the Employee Charter, Company goals and objectives, and decisions and policies by taking ownership and communicating these in a positive and supportive manner.
• Displays a positive attitude towards safety, works safely and follows all the Company's safety policies and procedures.
• Complies with all Health, Safety and Environmental standards in accordance with the LM Employee Charter, the Occupational Health & Safety Act and the Michigan Occupational Health & Safety Act.
• Ensures all employees and visitors have a safe environment in that safety and housekeeping standards are maintained; and all hazards, unsafe actions, or unsafe conditions have been identified, corrected, and/or eliminated.
• Responds to and investigates all reports of injuries, accidents, illnesses, near misses and property damage immediately.
• Takes an active part in the division’s safety program by performing regular workplace inspections, effectively investigates accidents/incidents promptly, and assists in meeting or exceeding the division’s safety goals.

Note:  If there is reason to believe that any equipment, or physical condition of the workplace is likely to endanger the employee or co-worker, or is in contravention of OSHA and MISOHA, notify management immediately. If there is any reason to believe that any equipment, physical condition of the workplace or assigned task is likely to jeopardize customer’s requirements, internal requirements or the quality of tests results and/or equipment build, notify management immediately.  Authorities as detailed in our Quality System for ISO/TS16949 2009 including but not limited to Corrective and Preventative Actions, Control of Documents, Control of Records, Internal Audits and Control of Nonconforming Product.

Education/Certification/Licensure:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of quality engineering experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.  
• Experience managing customers and suppliers through the New Product Launch Process and in the evaluation, completion and submission of customer required documentation, including but not limited to control plans, FEMAs, PPAP, lab packages/submissions, AAR approvals, PSO, 8Ds and run-at-rate.
• Experience with OEM or TIER 1 supplier
• English - advanced level
• Methods and means of management and quality assurance
• Knowledge of quality tools: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, DOE, QFD
• Experience with structured problem solving Global 8D (Fish bone, 5xPreco ...)
• Knowledge of QMS standards (VDA, ISO TS 16949)
• Work with technical documentation (standards); drawings
• Project management

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Working knowledge of statistics (e.g. Red X, Taguchi Methods, Disciplined Problem Solving, SPC Gage R & R) and production quality systems.   
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent communication skills:  verbal, written and technical presentations.  
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to successfully complete multiple tasks within established and changing deadlines.  
• Excellent problem resolution skills.  
• Demonstrated ability to track improvement process through performance data.  

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

Work performed in an office and manufacturing plant environments.  Normal mobility to move around an office environment, able to conduct normal amount of work at a computer.  Frequently exposed to varying temperature within plant depending upon external weather condition.  Frequently walk, stand, grip/grasp, bend/stoop, crouch; and lift and carry up to thirty (30) lbs.  Occasionally my lift and carry up to fifty (50) lbs.