Manufacturing Quality Assurance Engineer, Automotive Driveline

About GKN Automotive

GKN Automotive powers the future of mobility as a global leader in conventional, all-wheel, and electrified driveline technologies. Operating in 20+ countries and collaborating with over 90% of the world’s car makers, we design and manufacture cutting-edge systems that move the industry forward.

Role Snapshot

As a hands-on Manufacturing Quality Assurance Engineer, you’ll be the catalyst ensuring our production lines consistently deliver parts that meet rigorous internal and customer specifications. You’ll guide cross-functional teams through complex problem solving, elevate processes, and keep our quality system documentation tight and compliant—directly influencing product integrity, customer satisfaction, and plant efficiency.

A Day in the Role

• Start by reviewing overnight quality alerts and performance dashboards; prioritize actions to reduce SCRAP and NRFT (Not Right First Time).
• Lead an 8D on a customer concern—drilling into root cause with A3 thinking, Ishikawa diagrams, and 5-Why analysis; define and verify corrective actions, then communicate outcomes to the customer.
• Walk the line with metrology gear—calipers, micrometers, and Go/No-Go gages—to validate critical-to-quality features and confirm control effectiveness.
• Evaluate Process Change Requests; manage Product and Process Deviation requests in alignment with GKN standards and specific customer requirements.
• Prepare and submit PPAP and PTR packages; participate in Design Reviews to anticipate risk and build quality into the design.
• Facilitate PFMEA sessions and evolve Control Plans to harden processes against variation and boost reliability.
• Leverage Minitab for data analysis and SPC, and use SAP to track quality actions and material dispositions.

Your Impact

• Reduce defects and waste while improving throughput and first-pass yield.
• Transform data into decisions that elevate customer satisfaction and operational results.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement with confidence, clear communication, and calm under pressure.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of quality engineering experience in manufacturing or automotive environments.
• Deep knowledge of ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
• Proficiency in GD&T, PFMEA, Control Plan development, and all 18 elements of PPAP.
• Hands-on experience with metrology tools (calipers, micrometers, Go/No-Go gages).
• Comfort using structured problem-solving methods (8D, A3, Ishikawa, 5-Why, QRQC) and software tools like Minitab and SAP.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Prior automotive industry experience.
• Fluency in English; Spanish and/or German is a plus.
• Shainin Apprentice or Six Sigma certification.

Travel and Work Style

Expect 2–3 short trips per year. This is a hands-on, decision-making role with autonomy to lead initiatives and ownership to drive lasting improvements.

Proficiencies

• Quality Control Experience
• PPAP Process Experience