APQP Engineer

Gastonia,, NC
Full Time
Experienced

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina 
Job Type: Full-time 
Industry: Manufacturing / Metal Fabrication 

Why Join IFAB Corp.? 
At IFAB Corp., we are a leading manufacturing company specializing in high-precision metal fabrication, assembly, and coating services. Our state-of-the-art facility features cutting-edge technology, including advanced lasers and coil stamp machinery. We take immense pride in our culture of quality, safety, operational excellence, and continuous innovation. 

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive APQP Engineer to lead new product launches, ensure robust manufacturing processes, and deliver defect-free parts to our OEM customers from day one. 

Role Overview 
As our APQP Engineer, you will own the Advanced Product Quality Planning process from quote award through production launch. You will work closely with Engineering, Tooling, Production, Quality, and Customers to plan, validate, and launch new and changed parts across stamping, laser cutting, tube bending, forming, welding, assembly, and finishing (e-coat and powder coat). You will directly impact launch success, customer satisfaction, and long-term product quality. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • APQP Program Management: Lead the five phases of APQP for new and changed parts, managing timelines, deliverables, and gate reviews to ensure on-time launches. 

  • PPAP Preparation & Submission: Prepare, compile, and submit complete PPAP packages (Levels 1–5) per AIAG and customer-specific requirements, and secure customer approval. 

  • Core Quality Tools: Develop and maintain Process Flow Diagrams, PFMEAs, Control Plans, and work instructions; lead cross-functional teams in risk assessment and mitigation. 

  • Feasibility & Design Reviews: Review customer drawings, GD&T, and specifications; lead team feasibility analyses and identify manufacturability risks early. 

  • Measurement & Process Validation: Plan and execute MSA (Gage R&R), dimensional layouts, capability studies (Cpk/Ppk), and run-at-rate trials to validate process readiness. 

  • Customer & Supplier Interface: Act as the main quality contact for OEM customers during launch; coordinate with suppliers on sub-component and coating PPAPs. 

  • Engineering Change Management: Manage engineering changes, update quality documentation, and ensure smooth transitions into production. 

  • Continuous Improvement: Support root cause analysis (8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa) and corrective actions, applying lessons learned to future launches. 

  • Safety & Sustainability: Active commitment to Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) standards, maintaining a safe, compliant, and sustainable production environment. 

Qualifications & Requirements 

  • Experience: 3+ years of APQP/PPAP experience in automotive, heavy truck (Class 6–8), agricultural equipment, or a related metal fabrication environment. 

  • Technical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of AIAG core tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC) and IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 requirements; ability to read and interpret blueprints and GD&T. 

  • Process Knowledge: Familiarity with stamping, laser cutting, welding (MIG/TIG, spot, robotic), and coating processes is highly preferred. 

  • Core Skills: Project management, cross-functional leadership, problem-solving, and clear communication with customers and internal teams. 

  • Software: Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with ERP systems, customer portals, and statistical software (e.g., Minitab) is a plus. 

  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Quality Engineering, or a related field. 

  • Certifications (Preferred): ASQ CQE, AIAG Core Tools, or Lean Six Sigma certification is a strong plus. 

  • Language: Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus. 

What We Offer 

  • Competitive compensation package. 

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. 

  • 401(k) matching program. 

  • Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays. 

  • Career growth opportunities within a fast-growing, tech-driven manufacturing leader. 

Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume or Paste resume
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status


Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 07/31/2029
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*