Supplier Quality Engineer, Safety Systems

Job Overview:

We are looking for a Supplier Quality Engineer (Safety Systems, Frame, Thermal) with broad responsibilities, working cross-functionally with Engineering, Suppliers, Purchasing, and Manufacturing teams to define and implement supplier quality engineering processes and drive continuous improvement activities throughout the organization. The Quality Engineer will play a key role in implementing and maintaining Harbinger’s quality management system (QMS) and will establish and improve the quality of our operational processes and outputs. Responsibilities include defining quality standards for critical structural frames, occupant safety components, and thermal systems, inspecting materials, equipment, processes, and products, developing quality control systems, supplier selection, PPAP, leading APQP, and determining corrective actions. A successful Quality Engineer should have excellent troubleshooting skills and be able to ensure that complex mechanical, structural, and thermal systems consistently meet strict safety and functional standards.

• Develop and implement supplier quality standards, supplier quality portal, and supporting supplier quality processes tailored to chassis/frame structures, functional safety components, and thermal management systems.

• Inspect and test materials, sub-assemblies, and finished components (e.g., structural frame weldments, extrusions, castings, heat exchangers, pumps, coolant lines, airbags, seatbelts, and crash sensors) to ensure safety and performance specifications are met.

• Conduct supplier assessments and evaluations to ensure suppliers meet stringent automotive safety standards, structural integrity compliance, and leak-tightness specifications.

• Plan and conduct supplier audits to assess quality systems, welding/joining processes, heat treatment, leak testing methods, and technical capabilities.

• Participate in the supplier selection process by providing quality-related, structural integrity, and regulatory compliance input.

• Lead weekly calls with suppliers to ensure frame weldments, safety modules, and thermal components are on track to meet quality, safety, and timing requirements for various build stages of the production line.

• Monitor and report on supplier performance metrics, such as defect rates, structural test yields, leak test pass rates, delivery times, and compliance with specifications.

• Identify areas for improvement and work with suppliers to implement robust root cause analysis and corrective actions (8D, 5-Why).

• Investigate and resolve quality issues related to material defects, weld integrity, structural tolerances, safety component traceability, and thermal fluid leakage.

• Collaborate with suppliers to determine root causes of defects and implement robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supplier quality, structural integrity, and thermal performance.

• Work with suppliers to implement lean manufacturing practices, non-destructive testing (NDT), automated leak checks, and statistical process controls.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of supplier quality performance, structural test reports, leak rate certifications, audits, and corrective actions.

• Ensure that suppliers comply with all relevant industry standards, safety regulations (e.g., FMVSS, ISO 26262 functional safety basics), and company policies.

• Stay updated on changes in industry standards and regulations affecting automotive safety systems, structural crashworthiness, and thermal/environmental compliance.

• Lead supplier audits, APQP, PPAP, Gauge R&R, non-destructive validation, leak testing validation, and safe launch activities.

• Participate in Design for Manufacturability/Assembly (DFM/DFA) and risk mitigation reviews (DFMEA/PFMEA) with design engineering and manufacturing teams.

• Lead MRB (Material Review Board) meetings and act as a quality representative for the engineering change control board regarding frames, structural components, safety assemblies, and thermal hardware.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a similar technical field required.

• 3 – 7 years of experience in manufacturing quality or supplier quality engineering in the automotive, commercial vehicle, EV, or aerospace industries.

• Hands-on experience or familiarity with structural frame manufacturing (tubing, high-strength steel, aluminum extrusions, stampings, welding/brazing), thermal systems (heat exchangers, chillers, fluid lines, pressure testing, leak detection), or occupant safety components (airbags, seatbelts, crash sensors).

• ASQ Certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, or higher preferred.

• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001:2018 or IATF 16949 standards strongly desired.

• Understanding of core quality tools such as Quality Management Systems, Supplier/Internal Audits, APQP, SPC, PPAP, FMEA (DFMEA/PFMEA), and MSA.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex supplier projects simultaneously.

• Strong understanding of fabrication and manufacturing processes, including structural welding (MIG/TIG/Robotic), metal stamping, castings, extrusions, plastic molding, vacuum brazing, and fluid seal/leak testing methodologies.

• Ability to travel (domestic and international) up to 30% to 50%.

• Proven experience in a quality engineering role within an automotive or commercial vehicle production environment.

• Strong knowledge of quality assurance methodologies, mechanical/thermal test validation, structural inspection techniques, and root cause analysis tools.

• Experience with supplier quality management, including auditing suppliers of safety-critical structural or fluid-handling components.

• Proficiency in quality management systems (QMS) and relevant software applications.