Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - Body in White (BIW)

What you will do

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for supplier industrialization, quality assurance, capacity verification, and launch readiness for Body in White components.
You will lead supplier readiness from sourcing through APQP completion, PPAP approval, launch, and stable production. This role requires strong technical judgment, ownership, and the ability to work independently with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Based on experience and business needs, the position may also support selected Chassis & Vehicle Dynamics or Tanks suppliers.

Main responsibilities

• Lead supplier industrialization from sourcing through APQP, PPAP approval, launch, and stable production.
• Manage a portfolio of BIW suppliers and parts.
• Assess supplier manufacturing feasibility, technical capability, quality systems, tooling, capacity, and launch readiness.
• Review stamping, forming, welding, joining, assembly, tooling, fixtures, and dimensional-control processes.
• Identify and escalate supplier risks that could affect project timing, quality, capacity, or production.
• Lead supplier audits and process reviews according to Volvo and automotive quality requirements.
• Plan and perform capacity-verification activities, including Run-at-Rate and Significant Production Runs.
• Lead APQP reviews and ensure risks, deliverables, timing, and corrective actions are properly managed.
• Review and approve Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEAs, Control Plans, measurement systems, capability studies, and PPAP documentation.
• Participate in design reviews, technical-specification reviews, manufacturing-feasibility assessments, and sourcing activities.
• Review tooling concepts and manufacturing-process designs and provide technical direction to suppliers.
• Promote mistake-proofing, automated controls, automatic inspection, traceability, and effective segregation of nonconforming parts.
• Lead supplier recovery and structured problem-solving activities and confirm that corrective actions deliver sustained results.
• Provide clear risk assessments, recovery plans, and status updates during project and operational escalations.
• Work closely with Purchasing, Engineering, Operations, Project Management, and other Supply Network Quality functions.
• Coach and support other SQEs and cross-functional team members.
• Maintain accurate and timely supplier-readiness information in Volvo systems.

Who are you?

Do you dream big? We do too, and we are excited to grow together. In this role, you will bring: 

• Experience leading supplier industrialization, readiness, or recovery activities.
• Strong knowledge of BIW components and related manufacturing processes.
• Experience assessing manufacturing capacity and performing Run-at-Rate or similar capacity-verification activities.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, tooling, fixtures, measurement systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to manage priorities independently, make fact-based recommendations, and escalate risks early.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively with suppliers and global, multicultural teams.
• A continuous-improvement and zero-defect mindset.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Quality Engineering, or another related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Five or more years of relevant automotive manufacturing, supplier quality, product quality, or industrialization experience.
• Practical experience with BIW, stamping, metal forming, welding, assembly, tooling, fixtures, or related manufacturing processes.
• Strong working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, process capability, structured problem-solving, and supplier-audit methods.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 and applicable automotive quality standards.

Preferred experience

• Experience with commercial vehicles or complex automotive launches.
• Experience with Chassis & Vehicle Dynamics, air tanks, fuel tanks, or related components.
• Knowledge of Volvo Purchasing, Technology, and quality processes.
• Experience with VDA 6.3 or similar supplier-process audits.

Location and travel

• The position is primarily based in Greensboro, North Carolina.
• Regular travel to supplier and Volvo locations is required.
• Travel may reach approximately 50%, depending on project and supplier needs.

Additional qualifications
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require current or future employment visa sponsorship.