Interim Senior Quality Engineer in Germany – Automotive

Ingolstadt, Germany | Posted on 08/18/2026

International consulting & project execution group supporting companies’ growth & cross-border expansion in Europe, and North&South America: Market Research & Advisory, Regional Consulting, flexible Operations and modern HR&Recruitment solutions.

Innovative ‘glocal’ approach: addressing your needs with top-quality cost-efficient solutions by PRODENSA team of global experts & vetted local partners.

Job Description

Location: Ingolstadt area, Germany

Start: ASAP

Duration: Until the end of 2026

Extension: Possible

Working Model: 100% onsite

For candidates based outside the region, accommodation can potentially be arranged, with the associated costs handled separately.

Project Overview

The assignment focuses on operational quality support within an automotive manufacturing environment. The consultant is expected to work independently, communicate directly with the customer and internal teams, stabilize quality issues in serial production, and drive corrective and preventive actions through to closure.

This is a highly hands-on assignment requiring full-time onsite presence. The consultant must be operationally present within the manufacturing environment and able to address quality issues, rework activities and customer requirements directly on the shop floor.

Main Responsibilities

Implement and support World Class Quality Systems and continuously improve Production MEQ quality deliverables for assigned manufacturing plants, including JIT, OHS, IP-DP and seat-component operations.
Drive improvement of quality KPIs and deliverables such as RPPM, CPPM, IPPM, SPPM, quality costs, customer product audits and warranty-related topics.
Communicate directly with customers and internal stakeholders regarding quality issues, complaints, escalations and corrective actions.
Resolve internal and external quality issues using structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, PSD, PCAD, Kepner-Tregoe, 5 Why and Root Cause Analysis.
Prepare, implement, follow up, verify and release corrective and preventive actions.
Manage scrap, non-conforming (NOK) parts, containment, rework activities, sorting and final inspection topics.
Support optimization of material flow and production-quality processes and drive continuous improvement on the shop floor.
Ensure quality activities comply with BQS, IATF / TS 16949, ISO 9000 requirements and applicable customer-specific requirements.
Represent the plant in the Program SDT Team and ensure execution of plant-related PRRP tasks.
Manage Customer Part Submission activities, customer acceptance, submission documentation and approved submission samples.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in the automotive industry and at least 3 years in a quality-related role.
Strong hands-on experience in customer, production or plant quality within an automotive manufacturing environment.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
Practical knowledge of IATF 16949, VDA and automotive quality tools including:
8D / Root Cause Analysis / 5 Why
FMEA
Control Plan
PPAP
APQP
SPC
Knowledge of MSA, DOE and TQM is an advantage.
Experience with customer complaints and escalations, scrap reduction, NOK-part evaluation, rework, containment, sorting and final inspection activities.
Experience communicating directly with automotive OEM customers; previous experience working directly with a major German automotive OEM is highly advantageous.
Ability to work independently, take ownership of quality topics and communicate effectively across production, quality, engineering and customer interfaces.
Solution-oriented, structured and conscientious working style with strong assertiveness and teamwork.
Very good English is required due to the international plant environment.
German at approximately B2 level or above is strongly preferred due to direct communication with the German automotive customer. Technically strong candidates with a lower level of German may still be considered.
Proficiency in MS Office and standard quality reporting/documentation tools.

What the Project Offers

Full-time, long-term automotive project through the end of 2026
Possibility of project extension
Direct exposure to a major German automotive OEM environment
High level of independence and ownership of quality topics
Hands-on involvement in complex production and customer quality issues
Accommodation support available for consultants from outside the region
Opportunity for EU-based consultants willing to work onsite in Germany

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