Quality Engineer

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Quality Engineer - Warranty

Quality Full Time Professional Cottondale, AL, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 2202

Quality Engineer - Warranty

Position Summary

SMP Automotive Systems Alabama Inc. is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Quality Engineer - Warranty to join our Quality team. This position is responsible for analyzing customer warranty claims, identifying recurring quality issues, coordinating root-cause investigations, and implementing corrective actions to improve product performance and reduce warranty-related costs.

The successful candidate will work closely with customers, plant management, Quality Engineers, suppliers, and cross-functional manufacturing teams to resolve warranty concerns, improve customer satisfaction, and drive measurable improvements in quality performance. This role requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, an understanding of automotive quality systems, and the ability to translate warranty data into actionable business improvements.

Key Responsibilities

Warranty Claims Management: Monitor and analyze customer warranty claims, investigate recurring issues, coordinate warranty sample analysis, and maintain accurate claim documentation from receipt through resolution.

Warranty Cost Reduction: Identify major warranty cost drivers, evaluate trends, and lead improvement initiatives designed to reduce warranty-related expenses and prevent repeat failures.

Customer Scorecards and Performance Metrics: Monitor customer quality scorecards, warranty performance indicators, claim trends, and customer-specific requirements. Communicate performance concerns and improvement opportunities to plant management.

Root-Cause Analysis: Lead cross-functional investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies, including 8D, 5-Why, and Ishikawa (fishbone) analysis.

Corrective and Preventive Actions: Coordinate the development, implementation, validation, and follow-up of corrective actions to eliminate root causes, prevent recurrence, and ensure sustained improvements.

Warranty KPI Management: Develop and maintain reports tracking warranty claim frequency, cost trends, repeat issues, corrective-action effectiveness, and progress toward established improvement targets.

Customer Claim Disputes and Recovery: Review warranty claims and supporting documentation, investigate disputed charges, and collaborate with customers and internal teams to challenge inaccurate or unsupported charges when appropriate.

Data Analysis and Reporting: Develop trend analyses, Pareto charts, cost forecasts, and other reports to identify emerging concerns and support data-driven decisions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, suppliers, and plant management to assign corrective-action ownership, track action items, and ensure timely resolution of warranty concerns.

Quality Documentation: Develop and maintain Control Plans, Work Instructions, and other quality documents as needed. Participate in PFMEA reviews and process improvement activities.

Customer Support: Serve as a quality contact for warranty-related concerns, prepare warranty analysis reports, and support customer discussions and technical reviews.

Quality Systems and Compliance: Support compliance with IATF 16949, applicable customer-specific requirements, and internal quality procedures.

Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes, product quality, and customer satisfaction while reducing warranty costs.

Perform additional duties as assigned by Quality leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field; alternatively, a degree in Economics or Business Administration combined with relevant experience, or at least two years of Quality Engineering experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.

Working knowledge of automotive quality management systems, including IATF 16949.

Experience with root-cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies, including 8D, 5-Why, and Ishikawa analysis.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop actionable recommendations.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, including the ability to develop reports and communicate findings effectively.

Ability to lead or coordinate cross-functional teams and drive corrective actions to completion.

Familiarity with basic measurement tools, including calipers and micrometers.

Strong written and v