Quality Engineer (West Lafayette, IN)

Yazaki is a global leader in the research, development and delivery of vehicle power and data solutions.

Yazaki works with virtually every major auto manufacturer in the world, and we've strived to maintain strategic and stable growth throughout our 83-year history. Today, we're on the lookout for energetic people with the potential to perform, as well as the ability to strengthen - and thrive in - the positive work environment we pride ourselves on.

Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA  

Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA  

What we are looking for:

Yazaki is looking for a Quality Engineer to join our Subaru Business Unit in West Lafayette, IN.  The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a collaborative and action-driven environment making lasting impacts on the organization. 

A Quality Engineer (QE) is an in-depth customer contact that liaises between the customer, internal quality and manufacturing groups; coordinates and oversees quality, design and manufacturing concerns for the TPNO branch office; supports AQP / Launch Readiness support; provides leadership to other team member / disciplines; offers the necessary support to protect the customer from any concerns with TPNO-supplied products.

What you will be doing:

• Build and maintain close customer and manufacturing relationships
• Act as the window to the customer for information from YNA-affiliated manufacturing, design and quality groups.
• Assess and validate quality, manufacturing process, design and other customer concerns at the customer

• Present to the customer complex defects and countermeasures as well as negotiate their solutions
• Provide change recommendations
• Process Change Requests (PCR) and Quality Tuning Requests (QTR) activities including change validation
• Problem-solving and coordinating engineering change and their impact to the plant floor level assessing and validating the actual and potential design / quality solutions vs. observed concerns
• Support Part Approval and related first piece sign off

• Provide on-site customer support for investigations and other quality or design-related events.  (e.g. audits, repair, vehicles on-hold and assisting with on-site customer repairs as required)
• Implement containment and rework actions at the customer, distribution center and Yazaki manufacturing plants facilitating an effective clean point.  (e.g. rework, sorting, yard audits and Return Material Authorization)
• Coordinate / supervise any 3rd party sort / rework (e.g. Product Action)
• Answer official and unofficial customer claims thoroughly, accurately, in a timely and technically correct manner to achieve customer approvals
• Manage the tracking, analysis and reporting of customer quality claim information
• Verify corrective action effectiveness
• Coordinate and support customer visits / audits to Yazaki manufacturing plants
• Solve complex problems and prevent their recurrence by working with Manufacturing and the customer
• Facilitate customer visits for Yazaki manufacturing, design and quality groups
• Liaise with Manufacturing, communicating customer Quality Manual requirements and coordinating corrective action activities / responses
• Analyze trends in factory defects focusing on manufacturing improvement areas
• Conduct wiring system function and vehicle interface analysis
• Participate in program launch preparation

• Schedule and attend manufacturing program launch reviews
• Coordinate with Manufacturing to provide customer support

• Offer technical support to internal groups
• Support Program Management in the execution and monitoring of key program milestone events (YPMS)

• Develop a Control Plan, FMEA (Process / Design), and Past Problem History Analysis with the customer and Manufacturing.
• Reviews the inspection standard to ensure smooth trial events and safe launch activity
• Conduct manufacturing / supplier readiness reviews using the appropriate Yazaki or customer assessment tool
• Supports team members at build events:  assembling / recording quality issues, assigning responsibilities, validating closure of defect concern

• Incorporates lessons learned into advanced program team activities
• Perform quality audits that support Key Strategies in manufacturing and distribution
• Complete and submit Quality Authorized Rework (AR) packages to instigate rework
• Initiate root cause analysis for identified quality issues using Global Quality Reporting System (GQRS) then direct the corrective action activities with Yazaki manufacturing and distribution facilities
• Maintain issue documentation through GQRS, QE Report, CS/AR and sorting logs
• Keep a working knowledge of customer carlines, Yazaki-supplied parts and manufacturing / quality processes
• Identify critical product features, communicating to Manufacturing the key critical items and what activity to implement to prevent defects
• Implement and support continuous improvement activities
• Participate in Key Strategies meeting:  report launch updates, issue status, trial run impacts and other pertinent details
• Report to YNA TPNO management and customer management as requested
• Support long-range and short-term group forecasts, goals, objectives, and priorities

What you will bring to the table:

• Associates Degree in Engineering or related field or equivalent experience
• ASQ CQE, CQM certification in lieu of Associates Degree 5-7+ years related experience
• 1-3 years’ experience wire harness manufacturing experience with the ability to read blueprints, problem solving experience, Control Plan, FMEA and high-level quality auditing experience preferred
• Both domestic and international travel required branches, customer and manufacturing sites

What we can provide you:

• A collaborative learning environment that will help you reach your maximum potential
• A diverse team of experts
• Supportive leadership and team members to help you do your best work
• Opportunities to build your professional network
• An engaging and supportive work culture
• Competitive compensation and benefits package including incentive compensation, 401K match, tuition assistance and a generous holiday schedule

Yazaki North America is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, handicap, veteran status, or other legally protected status or characteristic. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship. Yazaki North America complies with federal and state equal employment opportunity laws and strives to keep the workplace free from all forms of harassment.