Quality Engineer/Supervisor

Job Description: Quality Engineer / Quality Supervisor

Location: Tenneco – Blacksburg, Virginia

Department: Quality

Reports To: Quality Manager

Position Summary

The Quality Engineer / Quality Supervisor is responsible for ensuring all products manufactured at the Tenneco Blacksburg facility meet or exceed customer requirements and internal quality standards. This role combines technical quality engineering responsibilities with frontline leadership, providing direction to quality technicians/inspectors while driving continuous improvement, problem-solving, and compliance with automotive quality standards.

This position plays a critical role in maintaining product integrity, supporting production operations, and leading quality initiatives across assigned value streams.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Engineering

• Serve as the primary quality contact for assigned manufacturing areas and customer accounts.

• Lead investigations of product nonconformances using structured problem-solving tools (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone).

• Develop, implement, and verify corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

• Review and approve PPAP documentation, control plans, PFMEAs, and work instructions.

• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 requirements.

• Analyze quality data (scrap, PPM, rework, downtime) to identify trends and drive continuous improvement.

• Support new product launches, capability studies, and APQP activities.

Supervisory / Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide daily direction and support to Quality Technicians and Inspectors.

• Ensure proper staffing, training, and accountability for quality personnel.

• Lead layered process audits and enforce adherence to control plans and inspection standards.

• Drive a culture of quality ownership on the production floor.

• Coordinate containment activities and ensure timely disposition of nonconforming material.

• Support shift coverage and escalation of quality issues impacting production or customers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to ensure process stability and capability.

• Support internal and external audits, including customer and registrar audits.

• Interface with suppliers and customers regarding quality concerns and corrective actions.

• Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives aligned with plant objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field required.

• Minimum of 3–5 years of quality experience in a manufacturing or automotive environment.

• Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred.

• Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA, and root cause methodologies.

• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards.

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical specifications.

• Experience with measurement systems (calipers, micrometers, CMM, gauges).

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels.

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) preferred.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and quality management systems (QMS).

Work Environment

This position operates primarily within a manufacturing plant environment with frequent presence on the production floor. Required personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times in designated areas.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (8–10 hours per day).

• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 30 pounds occasionally.

• Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and climbing stairs or ladders.

• Manual dexterity to operate inspection tools and computer equipment.

• Visual acuity to read blueprints, measurement devices, and computer screens.

• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses and hearing protection.