Quality Investigation Engineer

Summary
The Quality Investigation (QI) Engineer supports investigations into vehicle performance, quality concerns, and component-level issues across Subaru's battery electric vehicle (BEV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and internal combustion engine (ICE) product lines across the North American region.

This engineering role works under guidance from senior engineers and managers to evaluate vehicles, conduct root-cause analysis, and recommend technical improvements.

The QI Engineer will be assigned one (1) or more projects related to one (1) of the following two (2) teams (position dependent):

Power Systems (BEV, HEV, ICE):
• High Voltage Components and Air Conditioner
• Engine, Transmission, and Axles

Body & Electricals (BEV, HEV, ICE):
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Brakes
• Electrical
• Chassis and Body

Activities include:
• In-field investigation of vehicle-related issues
• Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including members in North America and Japan
• Analyzing market and automotive technical data
• Testing and evaluating repair and countermeasures
• Assisting with vehicle development while correlating quality-related tasks
• Approximately 80% execution of assigned tasks and 20% project oversight

Job Responsibilities

Project Responsibilities
• Progresses in projects as directed by experienced team members
• Leads some minor-impact projects independently
• Participates in frequent check-ins from managers for workload and progress

Post-Production Vehicles
• Conducts evaluation of production vehicles and makes final recommendations
• Monitors early production quality and escalates abnormal trends

Future Production Vehicles
• Supports Subaru entities with new model launch quality reviews
• Shares best practices to reduce potential quality issues

Conduct Root Cause Analysis
• Performs in-depth investigations into defects, customer complaints, warranty returns, and field issues
• Drives failure analysis via lab testing, teardown studies, supplier returns, and in-field investigation

Perform Cross-Functional Problem Solving
• Facilitates structured problem-solving processes
• Works with stakeholders to identify and eliminate root causes
• Ensures corrective and preventative actions are validated and implemented

Manage Quality Incidents and Containment Activities
• Leads urgent responses to field or production issues
• Defines, coordinates, and audits containment actions
• Verifies containment effectiveness

Support Warranty and Field Issue Analysis
• Analyzes field return data, warranty trends, early warning alerts, dealership reports, and telematics
• Identifies systemic issues and provides technical guidance

Document and Report
• Prepares detailed technical reports summarizing investigations and findings
• Presents issues and status to management and senior leadership when needed

Champion Continuous Improvement
• Identifies proce...