Lead Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality LeadLocation: Warren, MIEmployment Type: Full-TimeOverviewThe Quality Lead is responsible for ensuring world-class product quality, delivery performance, and customer satisfaction across assigned production lines. This role serves as the primary quality interface for customers, suppliers, and internal teams, supporting flawless product launches, stable production, and continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle. The Quality Lead provides tactical leadership over quality systems, staff development, customer concerns, supplier performance, and product safety while ensuring compliance with corporate, customer, and regulatory requirements.Key ResponsibilitiesCustomer Interface & Issue ResolutionServe as a primary quality contact for assigned customers, responding to requests and deliverables in a timely and thorough mannerDrive continuous improvement in customer scorecards while reducing or eliminating customer rejectsEstablish root cause and corrective actions for customer returns through effective defect analysisParticipate in customer quality reviews, audits, and concern resolution meetings as requiredCommunicate and escalate critical quality concerns appropriately to internal leadership and customersProduction Quality & Problem SolvingAnalyze scrap, defect, and warranty data to identify trends and improvement opportunitiesLead structured problem-solving activities using objective measurement, analysis, and quality toolsRead and interpret blueprints to verify product compliance and quality improvementAuthorize disposition of nonconforming product and stop production when safety or major quality risks are identifiedInitiate preventive actions to eliminate recurring design, material, or process-related nonconformitiesQuality Systems & Continuous ImprovementDevelop, implement, and maintain the Quality Operating System, including policies, procedures, work instructions, and specificationsCoordinate quality system audits to ensure compliance with TS, QS, JCI, and customer requirementsIdentify system gaps and drive timely corrective actions to support world-class quality and deliverySupport Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives across production and quality functionsStaff Development & LeadershipMaintain appropriate staffing levels to support all quality functionsTrain and develop quality team members to strengthen technical, analytical, and system knowledgeSupervise quality staff to ensure effective resource utilization, cost control, and timely execution of responsibilitiesOperational Reporting & Plant SupportSupport daily gate board reviews, KPIs, and month-end operational meetingsProvide quality performance reporting and feedback to plant teamsActively participate in plant-wide initiatives and action plan developmentSupply Chain & Supplier QualitySupport new supplier qualification to ensure compliance with customer specificationsMonitor supplier performance and ensure adherence to customer and corporate quality standardsCollaborate with suppliers to address performance gaps and strengthen quality systemsProgram & Engineering SupportSupport program SDT meetings and engineering change activities (SDT, ECO, ECR)Partner with Quality Engineers and Engineering teams to support new launches and design changesParticipate in VA/VE initiatives to improve product quality, cost, and efficiencyAdditional ResponsibilitiesPerform other duties as assigned by the Plant Quality ManagerSafety & CompliancePromote product safety and quality at all stages of development and productionEnsure compliance with ISO, TS, QS, and customer-specific quality standardsSupport plant initiatives that promote a safe and compliant manufacturing environmentQualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering or Quality requiredASQ Quality Auditor certification preferredStrong ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical documentationEffective problem-solving, communication, and leadership skillsExperience3–5 years of experience in an industrial or manufacturing environmentExperience with ISO 14001, TS 16949, and QS9000 standardsQuality audit experience preferredCustomer quality system experience preferredController and/or laboratory equipment experience preferred