Principal Engineer – Engineering Quality

ZF Group

Principal Engineer managing Global Quality Systems for the ADAS Division. Ensuring compliance with IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 standards and leading audit processes.

Posted 5/1/2026full-timeFarmington Hills • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Assembly

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and manage Global Quality Systems for the ADAS Division, ensuring alignment with customer, regulatory, and ZF business requirements
Ensure full compliance with IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3, including certification maintenance, system deployment, and governance
Plan, lead, and conduct internal and external audits (IATF, VDA, LPA, PMA, Line Readiness), including coordination with auditors and report out to management
Drive timely closure of corrective actions, systematically analyze audit results and quality trends, and identify continuous improvement opportunities
Maintain and continuously improve quality system documentation, ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations
Deploy, standardize, and train sites on quality system tools (LPA, product audits, VDA, BIQS, CQIs), promoting quality awareness across manufacturing locations
Support cross functional problem solving activities, lessons learned/read across deployment, and onsite launch support at ZF and customer plants
Report quality system performance and audit outcomes to top management, lead improvement initiatives, and standardize best practices across the division

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline with 5+ years of audit experience in electronics manufacturing (through‑hole, SMT, final assembly, packaging), or an equivalent combination of education and experience
8+ years of experience in Quality Systems management within an automotive or manufacturing environment
Proven expertise with automotive quality standards and tools, including IATF 16949, BIQS, VDA, CQIs, Layered Process Audits, and Product Audits
Strong analytical problem‑solving, decision‑making, and team‑building skills, with knowledge of Shainin or Red X methodologies (certification preferred)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical writing and presentations; proficient with MS Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio) and IATF 16949 Internal Auditor certified

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual Incentive Plan
Paid Vacation
Personal Time
401k Plan
Health Care Benefits
Paid Holidays
A strong diversity culture
Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Quality Systems managementaudit experienceautomotive quality standardsIATF 16949VDA 6.3Layered Process AuditsProduct Auditscontinuous improvementanalytical problem-solvingdecision-making

Soft Skills

team-buildingcommunication skillstechnical writingpresentation skills

Certifications

IATF 16949 Internal Auditor certified