Job Description

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

General Summary

The Pre Delivery Quality Engineer (PQE) ensures Kia vehicles meet the highest quality standards before delivery to customers. This role investigates technical concerns at Ports of Entry (POE), Vehicle Processing Centers (VPC), and manufacturing plants (Kia Georgia, Kia Mexico, Hyundai Mega Georgia Plant(HMGMA), providing hands-on support and cross-functional collaboration with Port, Factory, and Quality teams.

The PQE oversees adherence to Kia America’s Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) processes, conducts audits, and leads investigations into vehicle quality issues. The position also supports process alignment, best practice sharing, and continuous improvement across North America.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1st Priority - 40%

• Provide on-site leadership to represent the Voice of the Customer, including early identification, root cause analysis, and resolution of quality concerns.
• Conduct quality investigations and analysis through vehicle/parts inspections, data analysis, and technical reporting.
• Prepare and submit Quality Information Reports (QIR) and VPC/POD Audit Reports to Kia America (KA) and Kia Headquarters (KHQ).

2nd Priority - 30%

• Conduct Pre-Delivery Quality (PDQ) audits across Ports and VPCs.
• Assess and manage port process effectiveness to ensure defect-free vehicle delivery.

3rd Priority - 10%

• Coordinate visits from KUS, KHQ, and KMX teams to Ports, VPCs, and dealerships.
• Support required audits and field activities.

4th Priority - 10%

• Maintain and update Port/VPC quality bulletins. Coordinate Port/VPC training activities to support accessory installation and related programs.

5th Priority - 10%

• Monitor and confirm countermeasure incorporation and effectiveness; escalate issues as necessary.
• Track issues, ensure timely follow-up, and serve as on-site liaison for the KA Product Quality (PQ) Team.
• Support ad-hoc quality evaluations as needed.

Personally Performed Duties

Technical Reporting & Communication
Prepare and deliver technical and quality reports (e.g., QIRs, audit findings) documenting issue impact, root cause, and resolution. Communicate findings, status, and recommendations to Kia Headquarters, Kia Mexico, NAQC, and internal stakeholders, while maintaining documentation and timelines.
Investigations & Quality Improvement
Lead and support quality investigations involving suppliers, plant resolution teams, and task forces. Leverage early warning systems, quality metrics, and Voice of the Customer data to identify issues, implement corrective actions, and escalate design-related concerns. Validate issues through dealership, port, VPC, and plant visits, including “Go and See” activities.
Audits & Inspections
Perform and support PDQ, POD, POE, port process, transit damage, and accessory installation audits. Review and validate audits conducted by vendors (e.g., Glovis), oversee Port Maintenance Programs, and assess load lane, aging vehicle, and installation quality to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
Containment & Corrective Action
Confirm countermeasure implementation and effectiveness, administer containment requests, maintain warranty part samples, and ensure timely follow-up and escalation as needed.
Training, Dealer & Field Support
Coordinate Port/VPC training and maintain quality bulletins. Support dealer and field activities including PDI reviews, ride-and-drive evaluations, IQS studies, and other targeted quality initiatives.

Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technical field required.
• ASE Certification (A1–A8, L1) preferred.

Job Requirement

Overall Related Experience

• Strong working knowledge of automobiles with ability to perform hands-on diagnostic assessments on automotive mechanical and electrical systems
• Minimum 5 years of automotive industry experience in a product quality or engineering environment

Directly Related Experience

• Engineer: 4–6 years in automotive engineering, product quality, or technician roles.
• Senior Engineer: 7–10 years automotive engineering experience.

Specialized Skills and Knowledge Required

• Strong knowledge of vehicle mechanical and electrical systems, with hands-on diagnostic ability.
• Ability to use engineering measurement tools (force gauges, dial indicator, micrometer, calipers, height gage, digital volt meter, oscilloscope, scan tools).
• Familiar with common service garage equipment (vehicle lift, alignment rack, A/C charging station, wheel balance machine, etc.).

• Extensive experience in quality, engineering, and regulatory processes.
• Strong technical aptitude for issue resolution and quality improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of manufacturing and product engineering to support early detection, investigation, escalation, containment, and resolution of vehicle quality concerns.
• Skilled in supporting Port audit processes, Acceptable Quality Level (AQL), and best practice improvement activities.

• Excellent problem-solving, risk evaluation, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to analyze customer feedback and technical data, summarizing findings into comprehensive technical documents.

• Strong leadership skills to conduct dealership Go-and-See visits and guide cross-functional quality initiatives.
• Ability to negotiate with stakeholders to conduct investigations, confirm field fixes, and support warranty recovery.
• Proven ability to work effectively across functions and cultures with follow-up to ensure countermeasure effectiveness.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including technical writing and reporting.
• Ability to clearly present investigation details and recommendations to diverse stakeholders.

• Advanced MS Office proficiency and strong computer skills.

• Self-starting, proactive individual with a critical eye for customer quality.
• Confident in identifying, implementing, and sustaining process improvements

Competencies

• Care for People
• Chase Excellence Every Day
• Dare to Push Boundaries
• Empower People to Act
• Move Further Together

Pay Range

Pre-Delivery Quality Engineer: $84,853.31 - $110,272
Sr. Pre-Delivery Quality Engineer: $96,015 - $133,393

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.