Job Title: Supplier Quality Engineer
About Us
Hitachi Astemo is a leading manufacturer of vehicle engine management and control systems with facilities around the globe employing approximately 90,000+ employees and is focused on exceeding customer expectations while being a responsible corporate citizen. The Astemo’s North America facility in North Carolina manufactures Automotive Electronic Control Units for both under hood and in cabin applications incorporating a highly advanced manufacturing process utilizing robotics handling and fully automated assembly and test systems.
Come join our growing organization and you’ll find yourself part of a goal-oriented team, working in a fast-paced, inter-functional environment full of professional challenges and opportunities. If you’re a highly motivated self-starter who brings leadership and enthusiasm to everything you do, then join Hitachi Astemo and participate in the advancement of automotive electronics manufacturing. In addition to the many technical challenges you will also enjoy one of the best and affordable benefit packages in the industry as well as paid yearly shutdowns in addition to your vacation time.
Position Summary:
This Electronics Supplier Quality Engineer will interact with plant supervisors & personnel and a wide variety of suppliers to ensure raw materials and electronic components provided meet customer and plant quality specification. This role has a direct impact on quality by working with new and existing suppliers to ensure electronic components, manufacturing practices and quality systems meet requirements. Also, this position offers opportunities to work with advanced electronics suppliers globally and to travel to supplier locations, both domestic and international. Essential functions of this job include:
Perform pre-qualification audits to assess supplier’s capabilities to meet internal /customer requirements.
Perform audits of the suppliers’ quality systems and proactively work with suppliers to continuously improve the overall quality level.
Collaboratively works with internal staff and suppliers to resolve supplier component quality issues while ensuring compliance to specifications.
Utilize appropriate problem-solving tools (8D, 5P, 5-why, FTA etc..) to ensure corrective & preventive actions are effective and will prevent recurrences in the future.
Facilitate strong communication between suppliers and Astemo to instill a sense of partnership.
Work with suppliers for their change points and lead root cause analysis & countermeasures to reduce/eliminate supplier’s defects.
Track supplier’s performance and work with suppliers to improve quality of parts coming in to Astemo.
Must have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with high level of accuracy on data analysis.
Communicate with customers for any change points, customer claims, and customer new models, as needed.
To be able to support product validation (PV test) for supplier / changepoints
Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, and Skills):
4-year degree in Electrical Engineering or Technical discipline and 1 – 2 years related work experience preferred OR 2-year degree in relevant field with 6-8 years of experience in Electronics.
Knowledge for Quality Systems (PPAP/IPPAAR part approval, CAPA corrective/preventive actions)
Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance (GD&T), print interpretation.
Knowledge on how to read / interpret Electrical Schematics and component part specifications.
Ability to understand and explain electronics component and circuit functions in relation to overall product design.
Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, and Skills):
Work experience in repetitive automotive industry, with emphasis in electronics
Experience dealing with customers or suppliers.
Strong knowledge of microprocessors and ability to analyze circuits to component level
Bilingual Japanese language / translation.
Knowledge of Quality Systems such as IATF/TS-16949, PPAP, CAPA, NPI (New Product Introduction), APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, etc.
Position Duties and Responsibilities (may change based on company needs):
Position Duties and Responsibilities/Time Spent
Perform New Model Qualifications for New Suppliers and New Components - 10%
Maintain Quality Systems for IATF/TS-16949 and other company requirements - 10%
Initiates Supplier Deviation Requests for Approval and Process through System (PPAP/IPPAAR), also communicate with customer for these change points - 10%
Monitor, Track, Report, and implement actions for Supplier Quality Performance - 15%
Lead Supplier Defect Root Cause and Countermeasure Activities - 15%
Handle communication with customer for customer claims, change points or New mode - 15%
Prepares Quality Agreement with Supplier - 10%
Other Duties as Assigned to support Plant Objectives - 15%
Skills and Abilities:
Promote and carry out the culture of continuous improvement.
Proven ability to make sound business decisions, exercise good judgment, and be highly motivated.
Confers with and prepares reports & presentation for upper management and possibly other Astemo companies.
Maintains a clean and orderly work environment.
Interacts with various levels of associates.
Lead small project teams.
Improves manufacturing proficiency levels to meet plant goals and objectives.
Maintains knowledge of all processes, procedures, and equipment.
Coordinates and recommends cost savings and efficiency ideas .
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to interact with all levels of organization.
Ability to handle multiple functions and deadlines.
Work independently and as a team member
Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions and technical terminology.
Serve as liaison between the plant and suppliers for Quality functions.
Software:
- Intermediate to expert level of experience required in Windows, MSWord, Power point and Excel.
Essential to Job Functions – Physical and/or Mental Restrictions:
Standing, walking, and bending for the duration of the work day
Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
Visual ability to work accurately with detailed information and a computer screen
Full motor skills
Ability to travel for business (Domestic and Overseas)
Work Environment – Travel, Noise, Smells, Quiet, Indoors or Outdoors, etc.
- Factory Setting with Noise