The Design Quality Lead (DQL) for BCIM is responsible for driving design quality excellence from early concept through launch. This role ensures alignment to quality targets, leads APQP/PPAP readiness, manages risk, and provides cross‑functional leadership to engineering, suppliers, and program teams. The DQL Project Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring robust design execution, early issue identification, and quality convergence to meet customer and business expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

Early Engagement & Quality Target Convergence:

  • Begin involvement 4 weeks before PM or upon A3Q release from CX.
  • Lead quality convergence toward NA BCIM targets for Months in Service and CPV.
  • Conduct Gap-to-Target assessments and identify risks requiring engineering or leadership action.
  • Collaborate with Engineering and TECH teams to define enablers needed to close quality gaps.
  • Train engineering teams on applying Quality Targets during the RFQ process.

Design Quality Process Initiation & Governance:

Ensure all design-related checkpoints are Green or Orange with action plans, including:

  • Design Assessment
  • Risk Management Plan
  • Lessons Learned (Check Retex) review

Project Review & Leadership Communication:

  • Prepare and deliver bi‑weekly project reviews with the Director.
  • Develop and present materials for senior leadership reviews.
  • Attend weekly PMT meetings and other cross-functional sessions as needed.
  • Participate in part readiness meetings and provide design-quality input related to APQP.

APQP / PPAP Monitoring & Execution:

  • Monitor APQP and PPAP progress across assigned components and suppliers.
  • Initiate APQP kickoff meetings with DRE, SQE, and suppliers.
  • Support and help lead technical review meetings to ensure TECH teams and DQLs understand APQP expectations and cadence.
  • Provide weekly APQP status reports to the Project CVE.
  • Conduct weekly APQP grid audits and escalate issues when necessary.

Level 1 Escalation Management:

  • Initiate escalation notifications to the Project Lead and Quality Project Specialist; maintain the escalation report.
  • Lead escalation meetings with Buyer, SQE, Supplier, DRE, SSTM, and SSTL as needed to resolve roadblocks.

Training & Capability Building:

  • Deliver introductory APQP/PPAP training sessions for engineering and supplier teams.
  • Host bi‑weekly APQP Process and AUROS/PLM Q&A workshops for DREs, SSTMs, SSTLs, SQEs, suppliers, and extended functional teams.
  • Provide 1:1 AUROS/PLM training for DREs to ensure proper system usage and documentation quality.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of work experience.
  • Strong working knowledge of APQP and PPAP processes, deliverables, and timing.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional meetings involving Engineering, SQE, Purchasing, Program Management, and Suppliers.
  • Proven capability to present complex quality topics clearly and confidently to both technical teams and senior leadership.
  • Experience driving alignment across departments and ensuring follow‑through on action plans.
  • Ability to analyze quality data, identify gaps, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
  • Skilled in preparing and delivering structured updates, risk summaries, and readiness assessments.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience serving as a quality lead, APQP champion, or design quality representative in a product development environment.
  • Prior responsibility for facilitating technical reviews, escalation meetings, or leadership‑level presentations.
  • Strong understanding of interdepartmental workflows across Engineering, SQE, Purchasing, Manufacturing, and Program teams.
  • Experience coaching or training teams on APQP/PPAP, PLM systems, or quality processes.
  • Ability to influence without authority and drive alignment across global or distributed teams.
  • Proficiency with PLM systems, APQP dashboards, and quality reporting tools.
  • Experience preparing and presenting content for senior leadership or executive‑level reviews.

Salaried Employee Benefits (US, Non-Represented)

Health & Wellbeing

Comprehensive coverages encompassing the Physical, Mental, Emotional, and overall Wellbeing of our employees, including short- and long-term disability.

Compensation, Savings, and Retirement

Annual Incentive Plan (SAIP), 401k with Employer Match & Contribution (max 8%), SoFi Student Loan Refinancing.

Time Away from Work

Paid time includes company holidays, vacation, and Float/Wellbeing Days.

Family Benefits

12 Weeks paid Parental Leave, Domestic Partner Benefits, Family Building Benefit, Marketplace, Life/Disability and other Insurances.

Professional Growth

Annual training, tuition reimbursement and discounts, Business Resource & Intra-professional Groups.

Company Car & More

Comprehensive Company Car Program and Vehicle Discounts. Vehicle discounts include family and friends.

Read Full Description
Confirmed 20 hours ago. Posted 30+ days ago.

Discover Similar Jobs

Suggested Articles