Independent Contractor Role as APQP/PPAP Quality Engineer
On-siteGreenville, South Carolina, United States
Job Summary
Lead and manage the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process for assigned automotive programs, developing timing plans and launch-quality deliverables. Prepare complete PPAP submissions in accordance with AIAG, IATF 16949, and customer-specific requirements, determining submission levels and coordinating activities with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, laboratories, and customers. Develop and review Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEAs, and Control Plans while interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, and special characteristics. Coordinate Measurement System Analysis, capability studies, and production-validation builds to evaluate process readiness prior to SOP. Submit PPAP packages to customers, manage corrections and resubmissions, and track open issues through final approval. Work independently with limited supervision to identify launch risks, escalate impacts, and support engineering changes.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of automotive Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, or Launch Quality experience, with substantial direct APQP and PPAP responsibility
- Demonstrated experience personally completing full PPAP packages
- Demonstrated experience leading or independently managing APQP programs
- Strong working knowledge of AIAG APQP and PPAP methodologies
- Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 automotive quality-system expectations
- Ability to read and interpret automotive engineering drawings and technical specifications
- Ability to identify and interpret GD&T and dimensional requirements
- Experience working directly with automotive customers and/or Tier 1 automotive suppliers
- Experience managing customer PPAP comments, rejections, and resubmissions
- Strong understanding of manufacturing-process controls and launch readiness
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned programs
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple APQP and PPAP deliverables simultaneously
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Desired Qualifications
- OEM or Tier 1 automotive manufacturing
- Supplier Quality Engineering
- New-product launch
- Injection molding
- Metal stamping
- Welding
- Machining
- Assembly
- Painting / coating
- Electronics
- Automotive interiors
- Automotive exterior components
- Powertrain components
- Experience with customer-specific systems or requirements from organizations such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai / Kia, or Other major automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- PowerPoint
- Automotive customer portals
- PPAP documentation systems
- Statistical-analysis tools such as Minitab or equivalent
- Experience with ERP, QMS, Smartsheet, SharePoint, or customer-specific APQP tracking systems
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer
- IATF 16949 Auditor Training
- AIAG APQP / PPAP Training
- AIAG-VDA PFMEA Training
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- VDA 6.3 Process Auditor
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