Quality/Manufacturing Engineer

<>THIS IS A W2 (NOT C2C) 24+ MO CONTRACT POSITION <>APPLICANTS MUST BE LOCAL TO THE METRO DETROIT AREA AT TIME OF APPLICATION <>CANDIDATES MUST BE ABLE TO WORK ON OUR W2 (NO C2C/1099/REFERRAL BASED FROM VENDORS)

MAX RATE BASED ON EXPERIENCE IS $48HR

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Quality / Manufacturing Engineer to support supplier manufacturing readiness, production launch activities, and ongoing supplier performance for automotive interior components. This role serves as the primary technical liaison between internal engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to ensure successful launches, robust quality systems, and uninterrupted production.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in automotive manufacturing processes including stamping, welding, and thermoforming, along with hands-on experience supporting APQP, PPAP, launch readiness, and supplier quality initiatives.

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Key Responsibilities

• Implement commodity-specific quality and manufacturing strategies to ensure supplier readiness for product launches, production capacity, quality, warranty, and delivery objectives.
• Partner with cross-functional teams and supplier leadership to resolve manufacturing, quality, and capacity issues through effective problem-solving and corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary technical lead during supplier-related manufacturing concerns, driving containment, root cause analysis, and permanent corrective actions.
• Ensure uninterrupted production by proactively identifying and mitigating supplier risks.
• Conduct manufacturing feasibility reviews and process assessments at supplier facilities to validate production readiness.
• Lead and support execution of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities.
• Monitor supplier performance through data analysis and quality metrics to identify improvement opportunities and support sourcing decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on process capability, defect reduction, and operational excellence.
• Support supplier development efforts to strengthen manufacturing capability and long-term quality performance.
• Travel regularly to supplier manufacturing locations to support launches, audits, and issue resolution activities.

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Required Qualifications

Experience

• 3–5+ years of experience in advanced manufacturing, advanced quality, process planning, implementation, or launch support within automotive or related manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting interior manufacturing systems such as:
  • Cross Car Beams (CCB)
  • Automotive carpeting systems
  • NVH/acoustic insulators
  • Heat shields
• 3–5+ years of hands-on experience with one or more of the following manufacturing processes:
  • Metal stamping
  • Resistance/spot/projection/MIG welding
  • Thermoforming operations

Manufacturing Process Expertise

Stamping

• Progressive dies
• Transfer dies
• Single-station dies
• Blanking and piercing tools
• Hydraulic and mechanical presses
• Servo press systems
• Die tryout and spotting equipment

Welding

• Robotic welding cells
• Resistance and spot welding equipment
• Projection welding systems
• Ultrasonic plastic welding
• Vibration welding
• Hot plate welding
• Laser welding systems
• Weld fixture and jig design

Thermoforming

• Vacuum forming equipment
• Pressure forming systems
• Twin-sheet thermoforming
• Forming molds and tooling
• Trim fixtures
• IR and convection heating systems

Quality & Launch Experience

• Demonstrated experience with:
  • APQP
  • PPAP
  • Supplier quality management
  • Manufacturing launch support
  • Process validation
  • Corrective and preventive actions
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Experience troubleshooting manufacturing process, tooling, and equipment issues.
• Ability to travel up to 70% to supplier locations.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive manufacturing or supplier quality experience.
• Experience working with customer-specific quality requirements and supplier development programs.
• Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or related continuous improvement certification.
• Strong communication, project management, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Experience supporting complex product launches in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

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Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.