Quality Engineering Specialist (m/f/x)

About the Job

As Quality Engineer, you own quality at two critical fronts: within our production processes and at the customer interface. You ensure robust manufacturing quality, drive problem-solving and corrective actions, support new product launches, and serve as a trusted partner for customers on all quality-related topics. With automotive quality standards setting an exceptionally high bar, you play a key role in ensuring compliance, driving continuous improvement, and delivering products that meet the highest expectations for safety, reliability, and performance.

You'll be one of the first Quality Engineers on the ground as we build up DeepDrive's production footprint in China, working in close exchange with our Quality and Engineering teams in Germany.

Where exactly you'll be based is still evolving as we finalize our China production setup. In the early phase, expect to spend significant time on-site with our development partners during the sampling stages; your longer-term base will likely settle in the Ningbo or Changzhou area once series production location is decided. Frequent travel is part of the role, especially at the start.

Reporting line: initially to our Quality Lead in Germany, transitioning to the local General Manager as our China organization grows.

Your Tasks

• Ensure quality within the production processes and continuously assess their impact on product quality, applying the Automotive Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, Control Plans) and other quality methods
• Act as the quality interface to our customers: manage customer complaints, coordinate 8D responses and containment actions, and drive resolution of 0 km and field/warranty issues
• Manage PPAP submissions and approvals
• Plan, conduct, and document internal process audits and product audits to ensure conformity with IATF 16949 and internal standards
• Safeguard quality standards in internal and customer development projects (APQP): contribute to project meetings and SE teams, support progress evaluation, participate in the release or blocking of Quality Gates, and prepare action plans
• Represent quality in customer audits and on-site visits
• Oversee the investigation of non-conformities, defects, and deviations
• Lead problem-solving events (8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa) as required
• Track and verify the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions
• Monitor and report key quality KPIs (ppm, scrap, complaint rate) for both production and customer performance, and drive continuous improvement
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of processes according to IATF 16949

Your Profile

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Quality Assurance, Quality Management, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in quality assurance / quality management or a comparable function in a series-producing automotive company
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and the Automotive Core Tools
• Experience in conducting process audits (e.g., VDA 6.3) and product audits; audit experience with IATF 16949 system audits and a certified auditor's license is a plus
• Experience in customer quality and complaint management (8D) is highly desirable
• Hands-on mentality and flexibility in handling a variety of tasks and locations
• Willingness to push boundaries in a dynamic working environment
• Team spirit and a supportive, helpful attitude
• Fluent Mandarin Chinese and good English (working language)
• Willingness to travel regularly between DeepDrive's China production sites and customer sites as needed