Company Profile: Tenneco (Ride Control)
Tenneco is one of the world’s leading designers, manufacturers, and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers. Their Ride Control division is famous for brands like Monroe® Shocks and Struts. In Port Elizabeth, Tenneco operates a state-of-the-art facility that produces suspension components for major global vehicle brands. The company is driven by a “Quality First” mindset, ensuring that every component coming off the line meets rigorous safety and performance specifications. For an engineering graduate, Tenneco offers a world-class environment to learn the IATF 16949 quality standards used across the global automotive industry.
Key Responsibilities & Learning Areas
- Quality Assurance (QA): Monitoring production processes to ensure components meet technical drawings and tolerances.
- Metrology & Measurement: Using precision tools like micrometers, verniers, and CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machines) to verify part dimensions.
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Assisting in investigating production defects and implementing corrective actions (e.g., using 8D or 5-Why methods).
- Statistical Process Control (SPC): Collecting and analyzing production data to identify trends and prevent defects before they occur.
- Audit Support: Assisting in internal quality audits and maintaining documentation for international certification standards.
Interview Prep: Possible Questions
- “What is the difference between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC)?”
- Tip: “QA is process-oriented and focuses on preventing defects (e.g., training and standards). QC is product-oriented and focuses on identifying defects in the final part.”
- “Why is ‘Quality’ especially critical in the production of shock absorbers and suspension parts?”
- Tip: Focus on safety. “Suspension parts are safety-critical. A failure in a shock absorber can affect a vehicle’s braking and steering, potentially leading to accidents. There is no room for error.”
- “Tell us about your experience reading technical drawings and using measuring instruments.”
- Tip: Reference your university workshop or lab experience. “I am proficient in reading ISO standard technical drawings and have hands-on experience using vernier calipers to measure tolerances within $0.01\text{ mm}$.”
- “How would you handle a situation where you discover a batch of parts that are slightly outside of the required tolerance?”
- Tip: “I would immediately follow the non-conforming material procedure—quarantine the parts, inform the Quality Manager, and initiate an investigation to find the root cause.”
Career Advice for Tenneco Applicants
- The Automotive “Hub”: Port Elizabeth is the heart of SA’s automotive sector. Mentioning your desire to build a career specifically in Automotive Manufacturing will resonate with the hiring team.
- Lean Manufacturing Knowledge: Tenneco values “Lean” principles. Brush up on concepts like Kaizen (continuous improvement) and Poka-Yoke (error-proofing) before your interview.
- Accuracy over Speed: In Quality Engineering, being “close enough” is not enough. Ensure your CV is perfectly formatted and free of typos; this is your first “Quality Test.”
- Logbook Readiness: If you are doing this for your National Diploma (P1/P2), have your university logbook ready. Show the mentors that you are organized and focused on meeting your graduation requirements.
Closing Date: 04 March 2026
Baliswa Jongolo
📧 baliswa.jongolo@tenneco.com
📞 041 401 7200