Npd Quality Engineer

WE ARE HIRING.........

NPD QUALITY ENGINEER

EXPERIENCE: 3-5 YEARS

LOCATION: Ranjangaon, INDIA

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: FULL TIME

ABOUT SOUTHCO

Southco, Inc. is the leading global designer and manufacturer of engineered access solutions. From quality and performance to aesthetics and ergonomics, we understand that first impressions are lasting impressions in product design.

For over 70 years, Southco has helped the worlds most recognized brands create value for their customers with innovative access solutions designed to enhance the touch points of their products in transportation and industrial applications, medical equipment, data centers and more.

At Southco India, we are strengthening our engineering and new product development capabilities to support global product launches and operational excellence. We are looking for professionals who are passionate about product quality, continuous improvement and solving complex engineering challenges in a global manufacturing environment.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a key member of the New Product Introduction (NPD) team, the NPD Quality Engineer supports the design and development of new products through Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), leading the coordination of quality activities for products manufactured in India across European and Indian projects. The role carries total responsibility for PPAP generation, ensuring absolute alignment of PPAP documents and boundary samples between our suppliers and customers.

The role implements and maintains a framework of IATF-aligned procedures and practices so that Southco products meet the specified design and quality criteria, driving a right-first-time approach across the NPD and SBU teams. Success is demonstrated through completed projects, kaizen events and quality improvement programmes that advance both local and corporate goals as the business evolves towards a Lean Enterprise.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• APQP & PPAP – Support the design and development of products and processes through Advanced Product Quality Planning, ensuring prevention-based systems are used. Complete PPAP and other customer submissions on time and in full, ensuring full alignment of supplier, Southco and customer drawings, standards, documents and samples, and keeping project folders and reviews aligned to the project plan.
• SUPPLIER QUALITY – Work closely with the Supplier Quality Engineer to coordinate supplier APQP and PPAP activities, including completing and issuing Supplier PPAP Package Requirement and Check List (1314) forms and securing supplier PPAP approval.
• QUALITY SYSTEM & AUDITS – Maintain the company’s recognised quality system and support the Quality Manager in maintaining quality records. Take responsibility for closing out non-conformances identified in NPD audits with robust root-cause solutions, measured through continued certification and positive external customer audit results.
• CROSS-REGION COORDINATION – Coordinate the activities of quality resources in other regions for projects manufactured there but developed or distributed in Europe.
• RIGHT FIRST TIME – Drive a right-first-time approach by modelling best practice in FMEA, objective AAR standards and correct use of Lessons Learnt, and support the stage-gate review process through regular project audits.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 3–5 years of NPD Quality experience within a manufacturing environment, with a clear working knowledge of APQP and PPAP.
• Formal FMEA and SPC training required; Six Sigma Green Belt and internal IATF auditor training preferred.
• A clear and practical understanding of the New Product Introduction requirements of 1st-tier automotive customers.
• Practical command of quality improvement methodologies such as SPC, DOE, Poka-Yoke, 8-D and GD&T.
• Good understanding of lean manufacturing (flow) processes, measures and throughput goals.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to sell quality improvement and share success and ideas effectively.

WHY JOIN SOUTHCO?

• Own product quality from concept to launch on globally recognised engineered access solutions
• Work across European and Indian NPD projects with cross-functional, international teams
• Shape a prevention-based, right-first-time quality culture using APQP, PPAP and FMEA
• Build deep expertise in IATF, lean and Six Sigma within a 70-year engineering leader
• Collaborative, innovation-driven work culture with real impact on product launch success