Quality Engineer
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Type: Contract to Hire
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Description
Seeking a sharp, dependable Quality Engineer to lead and support business functions. Synergy Solutions connects professionals with roles that drive fast-paced corporate teams and critical operations. This position offers the opportunity to develop leadership skills, oversee key initiatives, and make a meaningful impact on organizational success.
Position Overview:
The Quality Engineer – IATF 16949 is responsible for maintaining and improving the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, customer-specific requirements (CSR), and internal quality standards. This position serves as the site subject matter expert for quality systems, internal audits, management review processes, corrective actions, customer-specific requirements, and registrar audit preparedness. The Quality Engineer – IATF works closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Materials, Human Resources, Supplier Quality, and Leadership teams to drive process effectiveness, support continual improvement initiatives, ensure audit readiness, and maintain compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. Responsibilities align with the organization's quality system processes, management review activities, internal audits, customer requirements, and IATF certification objectives.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
• Maintain and improve the site's IATF 16949 Quality Management System.
• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 requirements, customer-specific requirements, and internal procedures.
• Manage Quality System documentation including procedures, work instructions, forms, process maps, and records.
• Review and implement changes to IATF requirements, sanctioned interpretations and customer-specific requirements.
• Coordinate document control activities and ensure proper revision management. Internal & External Audit Management
• Develop and maintain annual audit schedules.
• Lead Internal System Audits, Process Audits, Product Audits, LPAs, and supplier-related audit activities.
• Coordinate third-party registrar audits, customer audits, and corporate assessments.
• Support audit preparation activities across all functional areas.
• Track findings, corrective actions, and effectiveness reviews through closure.
• Monitor repeat findings and drive systemic corrective action implementation. Corrective Actions & Continuous Improvement.
• Facilitate root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Lead corrective and preventive action processes to address audit findings, customer concerns, process nonconformances, and system issues.
• Verify effectiveness of implemented corrective actions.
• Drive continual improvement initiatives focused on process effectiveness, risk reduction, and quality performance improvement.
• Promote the use of data-driven decision making and quality tools. Customer-Specific Requirements (CSR).
• Maintain current customer-specific requirement databases and reference materials.
• Communicate CSR updates to affected departments and process owners.
• Incorporate customer requirements into procedures, audits, management reviews, and operational processes. Management Review & KPI Governance.
• Coordinate Management Review activities in accordance with IATF requirements.
• Maintain quality system metrics and reporting processes.
• Analyze quality KPI performance including:
o Audit completion and closure rates
o LPA completion and effectiveness
o Customer concerns and corrective action effectiveness
• Prepare executive summaries and leadership reports. Risk Management & Core Tools Support.
• Support maintenance of Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEAs, Control Plans, and risk-based thinking activities.
• Verify alignment between documented quality system requirements and operational controls.
• Support APQP, PPAP, change management, and launch readiness activities as needed.
• Ensure quality system integration with AIAG Core Tools requirements.
• Provide training and guidance regarding IATF 16949 requirements and quality system processes.
• Support competency development for internal auditors and process owners.
• Ensure compliance with record retention, document control, and quality-related training requirements.
Desired Skills, Qualifications, and Experience:
• Associate’s degree or higher in Engineering, Quality, Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field required.
• Equivalent manufacturing and quality systems experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, or Quality Systems.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or maintaining an IATF 16949 certified quality management system.
• Experience conducting internal audits and supporting external audits.
• Experience with corrective actions, risk assessments, and process improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of customer-specific requirements and AIAG Core Tools.
• Automotive manufacturing experience preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
• ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
• IATF 16949 Internal Auditor certification.
• Lead Auditor certification (IATF 16949 or ISO 9001).
• Experience supporting surveillance, recertification, or customer audits.
• Experience facilitating Management Review activities.
• Strong understanding of ISO 9001 requirements.
• Knowledge of AIAG Core Tools: APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans
• Experience conducting Internal System, Process, Product, and Layered Process Audits.
• Understanding of customer-specific requirements (Ford, Stellantis, etc.).
• Strong root cause and corrective action methodology skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and manufacturing standards.
• Strong analytical and statistical problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong project management and coordination ability.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation discipline.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently. Computer Skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• SAP experience preferred.
• Experience with audit management, document control, and quality data systems preferred.
• Ability to analyze and present quality system metrics and KPI trends.
EEOC:
Synergy Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with the values of Synergy, we make all employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical handicap, mental disability, medical condition, disability, gender or identity or expression, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, marital status, height and/or weight. The list of duties and responsibilities outlined above is representative and may not be a complete and detailed list of tasks. Employee must perform any and all other duties assigned by his or her supervisor. Additionally, this job description does not constitute a contract of employment and that the company may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time