Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer

The Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring that all products manufactured at the Tenneco Blacksburg facility meet or exceed customer requirements and internal quality standards. This position supports continuous improvement initiatives, leads problem-solving efforts, manages corrective and preventive actions, and partners with Production, Engineering, and Suppliers to maintain robust quality processes throughout the plant.

Key responsibilities include serving as the primary quality contact for assigned manufacturing areas and customer accounts, investigating product nonconformances, performing root cause analysis, and implementing effective corrective actions using tools such as 8D, 5-Why, and Fishbone. The role also involves maintaining and improving the Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards, supporting customer audits, internal audits, and layered process audits, and reviewing and approving PPAP documentation, control plans, FMEAs, and work instructions.

Additionally, the Quality Engineer monitors and analyzes quality metrics to identify trends and drive process improvement, collaborates with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, and Maintenance to ensure process capability and control, leads containment and disposition of suspect or nonconforming material, participates in launch readiness reviews, capability studies, and new product introductions, and supports training and development of associates in quality awareness, inspection standards, and defect prevention.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field required, minimum of 3 years of quality experience in a manufacturing or automotive environment, working knowledge of IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, SPC, and MSA, proficiency in reading blueprints and using measurement systems, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication skills, ability to work cross-functionally, ASQ CQE certification preferred but not required, and proficiency in Microsoft Office, statistical software, and ERP/QMS systems.

The work environment is based in a manufacturing plant and requires daily interaction on the production floor. Some travel may be required for supplier or customer visits. Noise levels can vary and appropriate PPE (safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.) must be worn as required.

Physical requirements include the ability to stand, walk, or move about the manufacturing floor for extended periods, lift, carry, push, or pull up to 30 pounds occasionally, frequent reaching, bending, stooping, and climbing stairs or ladders as needed, manual dexterity sufficient to operate measurement tools, inspection equipment, and computer systems, and visual acuity to read blueprints, measurement instruments, and computer screens with precision.