Supplier Quality Engineer – Restraint Systems (Airbags)

The Ford Purchasing team adds critical value to the entire organization by sourcing high-quality parts and services globally while ensuring optimal cost and on-time delivery. As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you'll be the critical link between Ford and interior component suppliers, driving flawless product launches and sustained part quality across manufacturing sites.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned interior component supplier sites, owning quality performance from new product launch through ongoing production.
• Lead new program launch readiness by managing the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), resolving supplier quality issues, and escalating critical risks to leadership promptly.
• Conduct on-site supplier evaluations and assessments to proactively identify and resolve manufacturing capacity or process risks before they impact production.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives at supplier sites using proven quality methodologies to elevate performance and reduce defects.
• Lead root-cause problem-solving for supplier-related quality issues, including risk assessments and corrective action planning.
• Partner with global engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure critical safety and quality characteristics are properly controlled and verified throughout the supply chain.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, or equivalent practical experience in supplier quality/manufacturing environments.
• Experience: 3 to 7 years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or a related automotive/manufacturing field.
• Technical Background: Hands-on experience with one or more automotive interior manufacturing processes, such as restraint systems (airbags).
• Quality Expertise: Familiarity with quality systems and tools such as Process Failure Mode Effect Analysis (PFMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility (Gage R&R), and root-cause problem-solving methodologies.
• Skills: Strong project management capability, experience managing supply chain risk or crisis situations, and clear communication skills (including proficiency in English) to collaborate effectively with global teams.
• Software/Tools: Proficiency with standard quality and data analysis tools such as Microsoft Excel, Minitab, or equivalent statistical software.