Principal Quality Engineer - Hybrid

This position will champion the use of quality tools and problem-solving techniques and methodologies to positively impact business performance and increase overall quality competency. Communicate to leadership regarding End-to-end Quality initiatives. Provide leadership in developing strategies to enhance the overall quality of incoming product as well as meeting corporate end-to-end performance metrics.

The Principal Quality Engineer will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end product Quality process for painted and finished components such as tanks, fenders, fairings and luggage, including APQP analysis, improvement, and sustainment of end-to-end quality performance in areas such as development, design, launch, Supplier and manufacturing quality, expedites, and label compliance. The principal role will focus on the most challenging end-to-end programs, suppliers, processes, and recoveries, and the most technical launch and recovery plans. This position will use skill sets to drive prevention and systemic root cause supporting end-to-end implementation of corrective/preventive actions associated with performance concerns. This position will be responsible for taking a proactive view of motorcycle systems and supply base to understand potential future risks to performance and continuity and either mitigate or escalate as required. This position will partner with both internal and external stakeholders to develop robust design, launch, and production processes that deliver high-quality products, through A-grade launches, to our suppliers, factories and our end customers. This position will serve as a mentor and teacher to other team members and reinforce the drive for continuous learning and improvement within the team.

• Leads and mentors Product Quality Engineers and addresses resources and operational challenges to support departmental plans and priorities with respect to paints and finishes as well as painted surfaces i.e. fuel tanks, fenders, fairings, and luggage.
• Assists in the ability to achieve service, quality and timeliness of objectives as guided by End-to-end Quality policies and departmental plan.
• Oversees product quality for a broad category of motorcycle components, helping to identify and solve technical and operational problems related to End-to-end Quality; understands and recognizes broader impact across Quality. Decisions and problem solving are guided by policies, procedures, department plan and guidance from leaders.
• Adapts department plans and priorities to meet short, mid and long-term service and/or operational objectives.
• Guides and influences others either internally or externally to adopt a different point of view necessary to meet/exceed objectives.
• Responsible for the development and recovery of end-to-end priorities to meet H-D requirements in the areas of design, launch, delivery, quality, etc.
  
  
  
  • Drive to root cause and corrective/preventive action of issue and validate effectivity of solutions.
  • Escalate within suppliers and H-D leadership as necessary based on department communication plan and issue specific concerns to create effective visibility to issues.
  • Focus will be on most critical and complex safety systems, recovery plans requiring technical expertise, and most challenging end-to-end recovery efforts.
  
  
  
  
• Collaborate cross-functionally:
  
  
  
  • With Engineering to drive design changes, improvements, and substitutions as needed to protect the business from future impact.
  • With Supply Chain to ensure aligned priorities for quality, part delivery, expedites, and address scheduling and part set-up concerns.
  • With Supply Base to influence category strategies and sourcing decisions for future stability.
  • With Supply Continuity to understand global trends and mitigate risk as identified.
  • With Supply Quality to understand and improve ongoing quality concerns and opportunities, and incoming risks for new product prior to transition and engage as appropriate.
  • With GAM to ensure A-grade launches, and with Manufacturing to drive highest quality.
  
  
  
  
• Primary contact with Product Integrity and Liability group to support investigation and recovery of critical situations as needed.

Required

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience.
• Broad expertise in End-to-end Quality initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability as an End-to-end Quality expert managing processes and leading Company deliverables regarding End-to-end Quality.
• Proven track record of holding End-to-ends accountable to Quality metrics while providing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Deep expertise in identifying, initiating, and completing necessary corrective and preventive actions to achieve desired performance targets.
• Experience in DFMEA, PFMEA, DVP&R and PPAP.
• Experience with paint, plating, molding and stamping processes as well as knowledge in cosmetic requirements.
• Travel required up to 50%.

Preferred

• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)