Freelance Defect Metrology Engineer Jobs in Alabama

Position Overview

HL Mando is seeking a highly motivated Production Quality Engineer to support world-class production of automotive components. This role will be responsible for proactively driving sustainable excellence by ensuring product compliance, executing deep in-line defect analysis, conducting process and product audits, and driving proactive problem resolution across the manufacturing operation all with the goal of maintaining a focus on the customer. The ideal candidate brings experience from an assembly environment, strong analytical capability, hands-on shop floor experience, is a team player, and a continuous improvement mindset aligned with HL Mando’s global quality standards.

Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned through standard work or as needed):

In-Line Quality Control & Defect Analysis

• Perform real-time in-line part defect analysis across the affected manufacturing process, identifying defect patterns, root causes, and containment actions (as necessary).

• Review dimensional, functional, and visual inspection results to prevent defect leaks to customer and maintain stable production quality.

• Lead cross-functional troubleshooting activities on the shop floor to promptly address abnormal conditions and quality alerts.

• Manage immediate containment activities, including segregation, generating sort or rework instructions, and communication with production teams.

Quality Control Compliance

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve HL Mando’s enhance inspection documentation, Quality Technician Inspection Questions, incoming inspection sampling plans to meet IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and OEM-specific requirements.

• Conduct process audits to assess compliance with standard operating procedures, control plans, specifications, control plans, and error-proofing systems.

• Execute product audits to verify product conformity, measurements, performance checks, dimensional validation, etc...

• Document audit findings, lead corrective actions and follow-ups, and ensure timely closure with verified effectiveness.

Root Cause Analysis & Proactive Problem Resolution

• Lead cross functional teams using structured problem-solving activities using 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa, etc...

• Insure read across actions are implemented insure problem prevention on other production lines.

• Drive proactive problem resolution by identifying early indicators of quality risks, initiating cross-functional countermeasures before customer impact occurs.

• Conduct data analysis (SPC, capability studies, trend charts) to predict and prevent potential quality issues.

• For OEM related Root Cause and Corrective Action, implement specific LPA questions insuring corrective actions implemented are monitored.

• Validate the effectiveness of solutions through corrective action follow-up audits, capability studies, review and KPI performance tracking.

Product & Process Quality Management

• Monitor critical-to-quality characteristics in=line, manufacturing KPIs, and control plan adherence to ensure stable and capable processes.

• Support new product launches, engineering changes, and process improvements through, product validation, and PPAP submissions.

• Maintain quality documentation including MSA studies, control plans, inspection standards, process capability reports, etc.

Customer Quality Interface (support)

• Serve as a technical contact for customer quality issues, warranty claims, and returned part analysis (as needed).

• Lead containment team, document sort instruction and report on progress.

• Collaborate with supplier quality to manage incoming material quality, conduct root-cause analysis, and enhance incoming inspection standards.

• Prepare and present quality performance reports, audit summaries, and corrective action progress to HL Mando leadership and customer teams.

Continuous Improvement

• Six Sigma, and driving defect-reduction initiatives across production lines to improve product quality and process efficiency.

• Support implementation of advanced quality planning tools and contribute to building a proactive quality culture at HL Mando.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• 2–5+ years of experience in automotive manufacturing quality (tier 1 or tier 2) or product quality engineering.

• Strong knowledge of automotive standards: IATF 16949, ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA, FMEA.

• Hands-on experience with quality tools such as 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa, Control Plans, and writing inspection plans.

• Proficiency with data analysis software (e.g., Minitab or similar) and an understanding of GD&T and metrology equipment.

• Analytical, communication, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

• Experience in high-volume automotive Tier-1 manufacturing environments.

• Auditing

• IATF 16949 experience

• Reduction in quality costs

• Assembly and Machining Experience

• Knowledge of inspection and measurement technologies.

• Previous experience working directly with major automotive OEMs or Tier-1/2suppliers.

Technical and Non-Technical Competencies:

• Interpersonal Skills (relationship building, teamwork, conflict resolution, customer orientation).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills (effective ability to interface w/ all areas of organization)

• Self-directed, proactive, results driven w/ ability to drive issues/problems to closure

• Communication (Verbal communication, listening, written communication).

• Performance Skills (accuracy with detail, planning and organizing, efficiency).

• Personal Characteristic (motivation and commitment, flexibility, assertiveness, development orientation).

• Utilization of Quality Computerized System (Mando)

• Quality Core Tools – PFMEA, PPAP, SCP, APQP, MSA

Supervisory Responsibility:

Responsible for supervision of QC Technicians

Working Conditions:

• Constant manufacturing floor work.
• Occasional office work.
• Constant exposure to noise, moving machinery, and energized equipment.
• Rare exposure to dust and chemicals.
• Constant exposure to material flow and narrow aisles.
• Rare exposure to uneven surfaces.
• Constant use of PPE (safety shoes, safety glasses, earplugs).
• Frequent to occasional weekends/OT.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking.
• Rare bending, twisting, and reaching.
• Constant use of force & handling, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling up to 10 lbs.
• Frequent fine motor & dexterity: gripping, pinching, tool use, and keyboarding.
• Constant sensory demands: vision (near/far, depth, color), hearing/speech, smell (as relevant to safety).

Remote Work: N/A

Compensation and Benefits: Competitive Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes health, dental & vision insurance, life insurance and other supplemental benefits, 401(k) plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: HL Mando is an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability status.

HL Mando America Corporation (HL MCA) does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from search firms, staffing agencies, or recruiters.

Any resume or candidate information submitted to HL MCA employees via email, the internet, or any other method without a valid, written agreement authorized by HL MCA’s HR Operations for the applicable position will be considered the sole property of HL MCA.

HL MCA will not be responsible for any fees, commissions, or other charges associated with unsolicited submissions. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited referral or through any other means.

Only search firms, staffing agencies, or recruiters that have an active, written agreement with HL MCA and have been specifically authorized by HL MCA HR Operations to support a particular position may submit candidates for consideration.