Interim Senior Quality Engineer in Germany Automotive

• Implement and support World Class Quality Systems and continuously improve Production MEQ quality deliverables for assigned manufacturing plants, including JIT, OHS, IP-DP and seat-component operations.
  
• Drive improvement of quality KPIs and deliverables such as RPPM, CPPM, IPPM, SPPM, quality costs, customer product audits and warranty-related topics.
  
• Communicate directly with customers and internal stakeholders regarding quality issues, complaints, escalations and corrective actions.
  
• Resolve internal and external quality issues using structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, PSD, PCAD, Kepner-Tregoe, 5 Why and Root Cause Analysis.
  
• Prepare, implement, follow up, verify and release corrective and preventive actions.
  
• Manage scrap, non-conforming (NOK) parts, containment, rework activities, sorting and final inspection topics.
  
• Support optimization of material flow and production-quality processes and drive continuous improvement on the shop floor.
  
• Ensure quality activities comply with BQS, IATF / TS 16949, ISO 9000 requirements and applicable customer-specific requirements.
  
• Represent the plant in the Program SDT Team and ensure execution of plant-related PRRP tasks.
  
• Manage Customer Part Submission activities, customer acceptance, submission documentation and approved submission samples.
  

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the automotive industry and at least 3 years in a quality-related role.
  
• Strong hands-on experience in customer, production or plant quality within an automotive manufacturing environment.
  
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
  
• Practical knowledge of IATF 16949, VDA and automotive quality tools including:
  

• 8D / Root Cause Analysis / 5 Why
  
• FMEA
  
• Control Plan
  
• PPAP
  
• APQP
  
• SPC
  

• Knowledge of MSA, DOE and TQM is an advantage.
  
• Experience with customer complaints and escalations, scrap reduction, NOK-part evaluation, rework, containment, sorting and final inspection activities.
  
• Experience communicating directly with automotive OEM customers; previous experience working directly with a major German automotive OEM is highly advantageous.
  
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of quality topics and communicate effectively across production, quality, engineering and customer interfaces.
  
• Solution-oriented, structured and conscientious working style with strong assertiveness and teamwork.
  
• Very good English is required due to the international plant environment.
  
• German at approximately B2 level or above is strongly preferred due to direct communication with the German automotive customer. Technically strong candidates with a lower level of German may still be considered.
  
• Proficiency in MS Office and standard quality reporting/documentation tools.
  

Benefits

• Full-time, long-term automotive project through the end of 2026
  
• Possibility of project extension
  
• Direct exposure to a major German automotive OEM environment
  
• High level of independence and ownership of quality topics
  
• Hands-on involvement in complex production and customer quality issues
  
• Accommodation support available for consultants from outside the region
  
• Opportunity for EU-based consultants willing to work onsite in Germany