Full-Time

Quality Engineer

Challenge Manufacturing

Challenge Manufacturing

1,001-5,000 employees

High-speed automotive stamping, welding, and assembly

No salary listed

No H1B Sponsorship

Holland, MI, USA

In Person

On-site in Holland, MI; occasional early/late shifts and weekend work.

US Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
QA & Testing (1)
Required Skills
GD&T
Requirements
  • Associate degree from a two-year or four-year college or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Five years of related experience and/or training.
  • Advanced training in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing.
  • Understanding of Specific Customer Requirements.
  • Understanding of the Production Part Approval Process.
  • Understanding of the Advanced Product Quality Planning process.
  • Ability to analyze dimensional data to make informed decisions.
  • Knowledge of problem-solving methodologies and associated core quality tools.
  • Proficiency in Plexus Enterprise Resource Planning software.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Ability to work first shift in Holland, Michigan, with flexibility to work early, late, or on weekends to meet customer deadlines.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct ongoing analysis of production process inputs and outputs to ensure internal and external customer quality requirements are achieved.
  • Participate in the Safe Launch process to accept product requirements from the Advanced Product Quality Planning Quality Engineer.
  • Collaborate with Quality Engineers to complete quality system documentation, dimensional data, GP-12 support, and Production Trial Run/Material Release Day packaging and labeling.
  • Provide plant communication linkage for formal tooling buy-off processes, including Run at Rate support and documentation for die and welder readiness.
  • Prepare all Production Part Approval Process documentation for submission.
  • Manage all plant-level quality concerns and serve as the direct point of contact for customer complaints for assigned products.
  • Manage the Quality System for all changes occurring after the product launch.
  • Obtain Master Samples from the initial 300-piece production run for program archiving.
  • Update Control Plans and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis as issues arise from the production floor or customers.
  • Issue Product Quality Check Deviations following management direction.
  • Provide timely acknowledgement and formal documentation responses, such as Problem Reporting and Resolution or Hit The Roof, to customer complaints.
  • Maintain a presence at assembly plants to provide face-to-face interaction and ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Act as the expert regarding customer expectations and how parts are utilized in vehicle builds.
  • Communicate the voice of the customer to plant management and explain the importance of managing key part attributes.
  • Train plant-level quality auditors and production team leaders on part acceptability, inspection methodology, and customer expectations.
  • Direct Quality Technicians to provide product quality documentation, including Part Picture Visuals, Packaging Instructions, Gage Instructions, and Quality Alerts.
  • Prioritize part improvements to ensure critical attributes are addressed and stress continuous improvement.
  • Address plant floor quality concerns and provide decision criteria for management regarding part disposition.
  • Champion problem control meetings for customer complaints and ensure area managers are accountable for responsibilities.
  • Monitor daily part quality on the production floor and audit products and processes to verify customer requirements.
  • Participate in layered process audits.
  • Implement new methods of inspection and control, such as enhanced containment techniques, Statistical Process Control data, scheduled Coordinate Measuring Machine runs, or portable hexagon arm scans.
  • Support all Quality System Basics Plus and Technical Specification requirements associated with assigned parts.
Desired Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science degree from a four-year college or university.
  • Ten to fifteen years of related experience and/or training.
Challenge Manufacturing

Challenge Manufacturing

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Challenge Manufacturing specializes in high-speed progressive stamping, high-tonnage transfer, automated assembly, and multiple welding methods (resistance, projection, MIG, drawn arc stud welding) to produce automotive structures for Tier 1 suppliers. Its processes turn raw metal into precise, high-quality assemblies through automated lines with about 1,500 industrial robots across 12 locations, enabling fast production and high consistency. The company differentiates itself by its large, employee-owned ESOP model that aligns worker incentives with company success, a global footprint, and a culture built on Safety, Ownership, and Teamwork, alongside its scale and focus on automotive structures. The goal is to be the best global supplier of automotive structures while delivering value to its employee-owners.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$100M

Headquarters

Walker, Michigan

Founded

1981

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • EV production reaching 35% of global sales by 2030 drives lightweight assembly demand.
  • Nearshoring trends increase North American OEM capacity 15-20% through 2027, favoring Challenge.
  • Tier 1 supplier consolidation creates M&A opportunities for employee-owned companies to scale.

What critics are saying

  • EV transition reduces stamped metal component demand; integrated battery housings favor composites.
  • Chinese suppliers undercut pricing; Challenge's Michigan cost structure cannot compete.
  • Top 3 OEM customers represent 60-75% revenue; 20% production drop loses 15-25% revenue.

What makes Challenge Manufacturing unique

  • 1,500+ industrial robots with AI-driven predictive maintenance reduce downtime 25-30%.
  • Employee-owned ESOP structure aligns workforce incentives with long-term operational excellence.
  • Specialized welding expertise positions Challenge for emerging EV battery enclosure demand.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Short-Term Disability

Basic Life

Voluntary Life

LTD

401(k) Company Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Referral Bonus Program

Challenge Incentive Program

Paid Time Off

ESOP shares

Company News

Business Wire
Oct 17th, 2023
WhiteHawk Capital Partners Provides Senior Term Loan Facility to Challenge Manufacturing

WhiteHawk Capital Partners, LP announced it has entered into an agreement with Challenge Mfg. Company, LLC to provide a senior term loan facility.