KIA

At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

Summary

The Service Engineering group works as part of the Kia North America Ownership Experience - Product Quality team to represent the voice of the North American customer in identification of vehicle quality concerns and development of countermeasures for Kia America’s vast dealership network. This team collaborates with various engineering groups in North America and/or Korea to turn this goal into reality.

Since the Service Engineer has strong influence over customer perception of Kia vehicle quality, competence and mastery of existing vehicle systems is necessary. This role will be heavily relied upon as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Kia vehicles in the U.S. market and lead emerging issues investigations. A strong foundation in conventional automotive disciplines along with the ability to make thorough and accurate assessments with minimal supervision will be required for success.

Major Responsibilities

1st Priority - 40%

Platform Management:

• Subject matter expert for assigned platform(s).
• Manage platform(s) by identifying, investigating, and analyzing product quality/service concerns related to Kia vehicle(s).
• Reporting product quality/service concerns through Quality Information Reports (QIRs).
• Review data sources such as warranty, Techline, Customer Care, and browse social media, and develop action plan for quality improvement as needed.
• Validation of countermeasure effectiveness through analysis of available data sources, including comeback analysis.
• Escalation of high priority issues to management for further review with Korean and/or North American engineering teams.
• Support Kia America Techline and Customer Care with quality advice as needed to prevent comebacks and potential repurchase(s).

2nd Priority - 25%

Dealer Interface/Investigations and Dealer Facing Communications:

• Coordination and preparation of publications, including, but not limited to: draft reviews, procedure/labor time assessments, confirmation of required service parts, and verification of affected population; including tracking of any potential comeback cases and/or cases after countermeasure. 
• Coordination of field investigations through potential quality concerns in collaboration with Korea/North American engineering teams, including but not limited to Kia Corporation (Kia HQ), Kia Georgia (KaGA), and Kia Mexico (KMX).
• Support regular meetings with field personnel and monthly plant quality meetings.

3rd Priority - 20%

Customer Metrics Activities (IQS/VDS/CR):

• Maintain and improve Kia America’s performance in studies such J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS), J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), and Consumer Reports Reliability Rankings.
• Leveraging customer quality metrics (IQS/VDS) associated with assigned platform(s) to improve customer perception of quality, including, but not limited to: verbatim review, performance/trend assessment, ownership experience improvement proposals, and customer education material review.
• Support customer clinic activities and leverage the voice of the customer for quality improvements.

4th Priority - 15%

Plant/Port Quality Audits (POD/POE):

• Execution of product audits through a combination of plant audits (POD (Point of Entry)) as well as port audits (POE (Port of Entry)).
• Collaborate with Port Service Engineering team to communicate and present findings with plant head of departments (HODs).

Education/Certification

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience required.

Overall Experience

• Strong working knowledge of automobile technology, with the ability to perform hands-on diagnostic, mechanical and electrical work on vehicle systems
• Strong analytical approach to problem resolution
• SAS/SQL experience preferred

Directly Related Experience

• 5+ years automotive industry experience in quality assurance or engineering environment preferred

Position Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver’s license. Position requires driving Kia company vehicles.
• Occasional travel required domestically and/or internationally 
• May need to work additional hours outside of normal business hours

Skills

Ability to use common engineering measurement tools (ie. micrometers, dial indicators, digital volt ohm meters and oscilloscopes)

Ability to use common service garage equipment (ie. Vehicle lift, alignment equipment, A/C charging station, wheel mount/balance equipment, etc.)

Must be able to independently prioritize investigations and work assignments to best meet department and corporate goals and objectives with minimal supervision

Must be able to work under minimal supervision

Must have ability to make thorough and accurate assessments as to seriousness of problem conditions with minimal supervision

Strong technical writing capabilities and oral communication skills

Working knowledge of PC and software (minimum: MS Office intermediate level, in particular PowerPoint and Excel)

Competencies

CUSTOMER - Serving Customers

GLOBALITY - Showing Community and Social Responsibility

PEOPLE - Interacting with People at Different Levels

CHALLENGE - Solving Complex Problems

COLLABORATION - Building and Supporting Teams

Care for People

Empower People to Act

Chase Excellence, Every Day

Move Further, Together

Dare to Push Boundaries

Pay Range

$72,328 - $96,838

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

Equal Employment Opportunities

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices. The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

Disclaimer: The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Nearest Major Market: Irvine California

Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles

Job Segment: Technical Writer, Engineer, Quality Assurance, Developer, Technology, Engineering, Automotive

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