Exterior Engineer

The Exterior Engineer is responsible for ensuring automotive exterior products and processes meet established quality, performance, and engineering standards. This role identifies product and process deficiencies, conducts root-cause analysis, develops permanent corrective actions, and implements quality improvement measures to ensure products consistently meet or exceed customer expectations.

The successful candidate will have strong troubleshooting and analytical skills, with the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to resolve quality concerns, improve product performance, and support engineering changes throughout the product development and production processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform root-cause analysis of product and process quality issues using statistical analysis, analytical methods, and advanced problem-solving tools.
• Evaluate quality performance data and identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Recommend and implement cost-effective, permanent corrective actions to address quality concerns.
• Analyze internal and external quality indicators to identify correlations and potential areas of concern.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve issues that cannot be controlled at the plant level.
• Manage engineering changes and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely execution and implementation.
• Conduct product evaluation requests to assess the robustness and effectiveness of proposed product or process changes before full implementation.
• Recommend, develop, and validate rework procedures as necessary.
• Develop and maintain inspection procedures, quality standards, and best practices.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, process efficiency, and overall performance.
• Participate in supplier visits as needed to investigate quality concerns, review supplier processes, and support root-cause analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering preferred; however, a degree is not required.
• Approximately 3–5 years of relevant engineering experience preferred.
• Master's degree candidates will also be considered.
• Relevant hands-on engineering experience will be weighted more heavily than advanced education.
• Experience with automotive exterior components, product quality, engineering, or manufacturing processes is preferred.
• Knowledge of root-cause analysis, corrective action processes, and advanced problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret quality data, identify trends, and develop effective corrective actions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet program deadlines.
• Ability to travel occasionally to local supplier facilities as business needs require.

Additional Position Information

• Primary Work Locations: Warren, MI
• Travel: Occasional local supplier visits may be required. Travel is expected to be infrequent but may increase during production ramp-up and component sourcing activities.