Quality Assurance Engineer (QAE) - VAA - 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.

The Role (Responsibilities)

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Quality Assurance Engineer - VAA to join our team at Orion Assembly. This role is critical in ensuring that all VAA-supplied modules installed at the plant meet GM's specifications, BIQ/BIQS requirements, and customer expectations before integration into vehicle assembly. The ideal candidate will collaborate across departments-including Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Launch, Supplier Quality, and VAA partners-to identify, resolve, and prevent quality issues.

What You'll Do

• Own and maintain quality standards, control plans, and verification methods for VAA-built modules, ensuring alignment with BIQ/BIQS and program SOR requirements.
• Ensure VAA adherence to SOR Appendix I - Operations Quality expectations, including error proofing, torque/angle control, traceability, and rework/repair controls.
• Support implementation of GMS BIQ requirements to ensure product quality and reliability for all VAA content.
• Validate compliance to PFMEAs, PCPs, TEBs, and BoOs to improve process controls and standardized work procedures at the VAA/plant interface.
• Lead or support VAA-focused PFMEA and PCP reviews, making sure key risks and controls are reflected in standardized work, error proofing, and inspection plans.
• Drive containment, repair, and rework coordination for VAA-related issues, including 24-hour containment plans, breakpoint control, and robust follow-up actions.
• Coordinate and track problem-solving activities with VAA and Supplier Quality (7 Diamonds, Fishbone, 5-Why, SPPS), ensuring timely root cause, countermeasures, and documented read-across.
• Participate in quality audits and reviews as necessary (e.g., BIQ/BIQS, MQRR, internal assessments) and close findings related to VAA modules.
• Participate in Change Management and Continuous Improvement initiatives involving VAA modules (engineering changes, tooling changes, process changes).
• Document and communicate lessons learned and emerging issues, ensuring alignment across shifts and with central engineering/quality teams.
• Support launch activities and readiness reviews for new or updated VAA modules, from early builds through volume ramp.
• Attend cross-functional Fast Response, GCA, and quality review meetings to represent VAA/module quality and drive issue closure.
• Help implement best practices for quality assurance across VAA and plant teams, aligning with ISO/IATF, BIQ, and internal quality benchmarks.
• Support/conduct root cause analysis and corrective actions for internal, supplier, and field issues tied to VAA content.
• Ensure ISO/IATF or other regulatory compliance as applicable for VAA-related processes and documentation.

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, quality, or engineering.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• Experience in supplier quality, module/VAA assembly, or plant quality engineering.
• General knowledge of print reading, interpretation, GD&T, and part measurement.
• Working knowledge of PFMEA, PCP, PPAP, SPC, BIQ/BIQS, and structured problem solving (7 Diamonds, SPPS, 5-Why, Fishbone).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and convert it into clear actions across both supplier and plant environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams (Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, Launch, Supplier Quality, VAA).
• Customer-focused mindset with managerial courage and effective decision-making.

• Previous experience as a Quality Engineer, Supplier Quality Engineer, or Corporate Auditor.
• Experience managing teams or cross-functional projects.
• Knowledge of module/VAA or automotive assembly processes.
• Hands-on experience on the production floor supporting real-time containment and problem solving.
• ISO/IATF experience, including audit preparation and response.
• Torque management or systems knowledge, especially related to VAA module installation and verification.