TITLE Principle Engineer, Quality – JNA
COMPANY JTEKT North America DEPARTMENT JNA Vonore- Quality
LOCATION VON CLASSIFICATION Salaried Exempt
REPORTS TO Manager Quality TECHNICAL LEVEL 107
REVISION DATE 4/16/2025 REVISION Rev B
Summary/Purpose
The Principal Engineer, Quality is responsible for implementing processes and systems to improve the efficiency of the Quality Organizations and to provide future direction for the JTEKT Quality Management System. This position assists the Tactical Manager with developing, supporting and coordinating quality activities that meet the mid-term plan and to ensure continuous improvements in quality and quality systems. These activities can include customer and internal quality system activities, JNA QMS site administration, facilitating complaint and scrap reduction activity, and coaching go and see cross-team problem solving in a multi-plant business.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong automotive understanding, technical capability, professionalism in dealing with customers, suppliers, and all levels of the JTEKT organization.
• Experience in metal machining, heat treat, and close tolerance assembly manufacturing.
• Experience with steering, driveline or bearings is preferred.
• Understanding of problem solving methodologies (5 Why, 8D).
• IATF16949 Auditor certification is preferred.
• Experience with automotive core tools including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, and MSA.
• Experience with Process Flow Diagrams and Control Plan methodology.
• Knowledge of Engineering Drawings, GD&T dimensioning, and technical specifications.
• Understanding of QA Network is desired.
• Committed to spending hands-on problem resolution time in JTEKT plants and suppliers’ plants as needed.
• Basic computer and Microsoft Office product skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong statistical and analytical skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision.
• Ability to travel, as required, to customers, suppliers, and to provide quality support to all JTEKT facilities. Up to 30% travel is required.
• Basic knowledge of applicable quality, health, safety, and environmental management systems.
  The above may be waived by the Hiring Manager and the Human Resources Manager if the candidate is otherwise qualified.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Math, or Sciences or equivalent level of job experience.
• ASQ CQE Certification is preferred.
• 10+ years of quality and/or engineering related experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Participates in annual quality Hoshin activities through analysis of current state data, corporate directives (JTEKT Way and Top level Hoshin), and market focus for the next three to five years.
• Provide training on systems and tools needed for issue resolution including, but not limited to, problem solving tools such as, 5 Why, 8 step problem solving, QC Circles, countermeasure implementation, effectiveness verification, look across / yokoten, follow-up and closure.
• Develop, implement, and improve common quality systems and tools across JNA plants.
• Prepare and administer assessments and educational materials for quality tools to improve the skills of the quality organization.
• Provide training to support flawless launch of new or changed products and processes. Understands and trains on utilization of Advanced Quality (Quality Gate 20) methodology.
• Develop and implement internal audits, system and process, assuring compliance to related JNA and external regulations.
• Plan audits and activity to ensure effectiveness of plant Floor Management Development System.
• Develops and maintains tracking of customer metrics and coordinates with assigned plants to address and resolve all issues including creation of plans to achieve customer and/or JTEKT quality targets.
• Daily monitoring and management of assigned customer Quality portals.
• Develop, implement, and improve common systems across multiple plants to improve and ensure timeliness of responses for customer issues.
• Develop full understanding of all customer-specific Quality requirements as per customer’s Supplier Quality Manual and/or IATF16949 Customer Specifics documents.
• Support plant Quality in customer approval events [ITO, TTO, PPAP, HVPT, etc.]
• Support plant Quality in completing and resolving issues for Management of Change Requests.
• Provide support to ensure flawless launch of new or changed products and processes. Understands and ensures utilization of Advanced Quality / Quality Gate 20 methodology.
• Participate in customer communication via emails, teleconferences, and web-based video conferencing.
• Support plant visits by customers. Travel to customers as needed to investigate, resolve, and report on complaint and/or warranty issues. Document trip reports.
• Participate in customer training events.
• Conduct internal audits [system and process] as requested by Quality Manager and/or Assistant.
• Fulfill legal customer quality residency and on-site JTEKT representation for the purposes of quality and warranty advancement.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no direct supervisor responsibilities, however, is expected to coach and mentor related quality members.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• This is a hands-on position requiring the ability to spend substantial amounts of time on the manufacturing shop floor.
• Requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate computer keyboard and other office equipment.
• The performance of this position requires exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and mandatory hearing protection.
• Travel by automobile and plane required up to 30% of time