Incoming Quality Engineer (LEAD)

Overview : 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related field, with a minimum of 5+ years of experience in Incoming Quality, Supplier Quality, or Manufacturing Quality within automotive or regulated manufacturing environments. 
• This role is responsible for leading all incoming quality inspection activities for supplied components and materials entering Client manufacturing operations. 
• The successful candidate will ensure incoming parts meet quality requirements, support production readiness, drive supplier accountability, and lead a team responsible for inspection and containment activities. 
• The ideal candidate has strong experience in supplier and manufacturing quality, incoming inspection processes, problem-solving, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. This individual will play a critical role in supporting production launches, improving supplier quality performance, and building robust incoming quality processes within a fast-paced automotive startup environment. 

Key Responsibilities :

Incoming Quality Operations Leadership 

• Lead and manage incoming quality inspection activities for all purchased components and materials. 
• Develop, implement, and improve incoming inspection procedures, acceptance criteria, and control plans. 
• Ensure consistent execution of incoming quality standards across manufacturing operations. 
• Lead, mentor, and support quality technicians and team leaders responsible for incoming inspections. 
• Support daily manufacturing operations by quickly addressing incoming material quality concerns. 

Supplier Quality & Containment Management 

• Serve as the primary incoming quality contact for supplier-related quality concerns. 
• Collaborate with suppliers to communicate quality expectations and drive corrective actions. 
• Manage containment activities for non-conforming material, including segregation, documentation, rework, return, or scrap decisions. 
• Monitor supplier quality performance and support improvement initiatives. 
• Partner with Supplier Quality teams to reduce recurring supplier defects. 

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement 

• Analyze incoming quality data and identify trends impacting manufacturing performance. 
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective/preventive action activities. 
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, capability, cost reduction, and risk mitigation. 
• Support implementation of quality best practices and robust inspection processes. 

Launch & Production Readiness Support 

• Support new product introductions and manufacturing launches. 
• Validate incoming materials and components to ensure production readiness. 
• Support PPAP activities and production release requirements. 
• Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations teams to resolve launch-related quality concerns. 

Audit, Compliance & Documentation 

• Support incoming quality audits and compliance activities aligned with IATF 16949, AIAG, and internal requirements. 
• Maintain inspection records, supplier quality documentation, and control plans. 
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, procedures, and regulatory requirements. 
• Promote a safe and compliant work environment. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Training 

• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, and Supplier Quality teams to resolve quality issues. 
• Provide technical guidance and quality support to manufacturing personnel. 
• Train and coach quality technicians on inspection methods and quality standards. 
• Drive alignment across teams on incoming quality expectations and continuous improvement objectives. 

Profile:  

• Experienced quality professional with strong knowledge of incoming inspection and supplier quality processes. 
• Hands-on leader capable of managing teams while remaining involved in daily operations. 
• Strong ownership mentality with a proactive approach to problem solving. 
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced startup or launch environment. 
• Excellent communicator able to work effectively with suppliers, manufacturing teams, and engineering groups. 
• Strong analytical mindset with proven root cause investigation capabilities. 
• Focused on continuous improvement, quality excellence, and operational performance. 
• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple priorities simultaneously. 

Must Have:  

• 5+ years of experience in Incoming Quality, Supplier Quality, or Manufacturing Quality within automotive or regulated manufacturing environments. 
• Experience leading quality technicians, inspectors, or quality teams. 
• Strong knowledge of incoming inspection processes and containment activities. 
• Experience working directly with suppliers to resolve quality concerns and drive corrective actions. 
• Knowledge of automotive quality standards and methodologies including IATF 16949, AIAG, APQP, PPAP, MSA, and SPC. 
• Experience performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions. 
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, production launches, and quality issue resolution. 
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. 
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. 
• Permanent US work authorization required. 

Good to Have: 

• Experience supporting electric vehicle programs or high-voltage components. 
• Six Sigma, ASQ, CQE, or other Quality certifications. 
• Experience supporting startup, launch, or greenfield manufacturing operations. 
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing environments. 
• Supplier development or supplier performance improvement experience. 
• Previous experience within OEM or Tier 1 automotive organizations. 
• Experience implementing or improving incoming quality processes from the ground up.