Chassis Quality Engineer - Orion Assembly

Description

Onsite: The successful candidate will be expected to report to Orion Assembly in Orion, Michigan, five times per week, at a minimum.

Role Overview

The Chassis Quality Engineer owns quality performance for chassis and underbody systems (e.g., frames, suspension, steering, braking, alignment, torqued joints) on Orion-built vehicles. This role leads problem solving, control plan execution, supplier and plant issue resolution, and BIQ compliance for chassis content from incoming material through final verification. The Chassis QE acts as the primary liaison between Engineering, Supplier, and Manufacturing to ensure vehicle quality and reliability for chassis commodities.

Key Responsibilities

Vehicle & Plant Quality

• Own plant quality metrics and defect reduction for chassis/underbody content (DRR, GCA, SPPS, warranty, field issues).
• Champion advanced problem solving and resolution of chassis Voice of Customer (VOC) quality issues.
• Lead daily Emerging Issues / Fast Response for chassis concerns, coordinating containment, breakpoints, and line support across GA and Chassis areas.
• Support First Time Quality (FTQ) improvement initiatives for chassis systems.

• Document issues in Problem Resolution Tracking System (PRTS) and drive resolution through the Current Product Improvement Team (CPIT) process.
• Ensure supplier-responsible issues are documented in Supplier Practical Problem Solving (SPPS) and coordinate with Manufacturing, Suppliers, and GM Supplier Quality for closure.
• Analyze DRR, GSIP, verification station, and field data to identify systemic issues and drive closure via SPPS and 7-Diamond problem solving.
• Coordinate and track Repair, Rework, and Containment Activities for identified spills; validate suspect/reject part disposition.
• Provide timely responses to Supplier Action Center (SAC) and manufacturing floor issues for chassis commodities.
• Communicate Emerging Issues summaries and Lessons Learned to Engineering, Validation, and Quality teams.

• Maintain and continuously improve PFMEAs, Process Control Plans, torque strategies, and alignment-related controls for chassis operations.
• Partner with Torque SMEs, Alignment SMEs, and Quality Operations to ensure robust fastening, alignment, and 12V/functional verifications where applicable.
• Support engineering change management (ECRs, PTRs, tooling changes), ensuring quality risk is assessed and appropriate validation, breakpoints, and documentation updates occur.
• Support the Production Trial Run (PTR) process for chassis changes, documenting concerns and providing clear pass/fail feedback.
• Request and manage Temporary Work Orders (TWO) as required to support the assembly plant.
• Support implementation and resolution of supplier Controlled Shipping activities for chassis components.

• Act as primary liaison between Engineering, Supplier, and Manufacturing for chassis quality and reliability.
• Facilitate supplier visits to the manufacturing facility and assure Quality Engineering presence in commodity issue reviews.
• Participate in the Assembly Plant Change Management process for chassis content.
• Support quality issue yard sweeps and develop chassis-specific inspection methods and standards.

• Champion assigned warranty reduction initiatives for chassis content.
• Document and execute Supplier Cost Recovery charges for financial impact associated with supplier chassis quality issues.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or related Engineering (or other related technical discipline) or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, quality, or engineering.
• Demonstrated technical and professional skills in job-related areas.
• Experience and knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical and decision-making ability where problems are unusual and difficult.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills.
• High level of interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Customer focus with strong managerial courage.
• Ability to build effective teams and influence without direct authority.

• Graduate degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Quality Engineering and/or Supplier Quality experience.
• Manufacturing production floor experience in an automotive environment.
• Experience in chassis systems, torque management, alignment, or functional testing.
• Knowledge of PFMEA, PCP, torque and angle control, verification stations, SPC, and structured problem solving.
• Automotive product design exposure, particularly chassis/underbody.
• Red X Technical Problem Solving and Design For Six Sigma (DFSS) certifications.
• Body dimensional, GD&T, and part data analysis capability.