Head of Quality, Accessories and SUV

Slate Auto; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 185,000 - 309,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate Auto, based in the USA, seeks a senior Head of Quality for Accessories & SUV to own product quality planning from DFMEA to PPAP readiness and launch. You will build and lead PQE and SQE teams, interfacing with engineering and supply base throughout development and into series production.

You will drive quality reporting, risk posture in executive reviews, and continuous improvement, including DVP testing, audits, and containment actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field; advanced degree a plus.
• 12+ years of experience in automotive quality engineering; at least 4 years in a leadership role spanning Program Quality or Supplier Quality.
• Deep expertise across APQP, PPAP, IATF 16949, FMEA (AIAG-VDA 2019), DVP&R, control plans, MSA, and SPC.

Responsibilities

• Lead PQEs and SQEs aligned to Accessories and SUV programs and commodity segments.
• Drive APQP execution and PPAP readiness across DV, PV, and Job 1 builds.
• Define and govern quality standards, inspection criteria, and process controls for accessories systems and SUV body structures.
• Own issue management and traceability across programs and ensure quality gates at APQP phases.
• Represent program quality risk in executive reviews and coordinate with Purchasing on supplier selection.

Skills

Program Quality

Supplier Quality

APQP/PPAP

FMEA AIAG-VDA

DVP&R

IATF 16949

eQMS

Polarion/Windchill

Leadership

DFMEA

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing or related field

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

eQMS platforms

Polarion

Windchill

PLM tools

Job description

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

The Head of Quality, Accessories & SUV is a senior leadership role with end-to-end accountability for quality across the Accessories and SUV programs. This role uniquely spans both Program Quality and Supplier Quality — owning product quality planning and development from DFMEA and DVP through PPAP readiness and launch, while simultaneously leading the supplier quality function across Exterior Accessories, Interior Accessories, Audio/Tech/Lighting, SUV Kit, and related commodity segments. You will build, lead, and develop a team of Project Quality Engineers (PQEs) and Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs) embedded across these programs, serving as the primary quality interface between Slate and its accessory and SUV supply base and engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle and into series production. You will also carry accountability for quality reporting and cross-functional escalation, representing quality risk posture to executive leadership on a routine basis. This role requires a hands‑on leader who is equally comfortable driving design quality strategy, reviewing a PPAP submission, escalating a distressed supplier, and presenting risk posture to executive leadership. You will be a decisive voice in launch readiness decisions and a champion for quality standards across the Accessories and SUV programs.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Team Leadership & Development

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of PQEs and SQEs aligned to Accessories and SUV programs and commodity segments. Define clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations across Program Quality and Supplier Quality functions. Establish consistent work practices, reporting cadences, and accountability structures across the team. Recruit and build team capacity aligned to program launch milestones, engineering complexity, and supplier portfolio scope.

Program Quality — FMEA, DVP & Design Assurance

Partner with Engineering on DFMEA and DVP&R development for Accessories and SUV programs, applying AIAG-VDA 2019 methodology including Action Priority ratings. Drive closure of high-priority design risk items through rigorous validation planning, test management, and issue tracking in Polarion and related tools. Partner with Engineering on DFM/DFA reviews, GD&T assessments, tolerance stack-up analysis, and KPC/CTQ definition for accessory systems and SUV body structures. Define and maintain quality technical standards, inspection criteria, and process controls for accessory system integration and SUV‑specific body, closures, and roof systems. Own issue management and requirements traceability for Accessories and SUV programs; ensure quality gates are clearly defined and enforced at each APQP phase. Track and report on dimensional, functional, and reliability quality issues; drive closure through DVP test results and structured corrective action. Represent program quality risk in cross‑functional program reviews; Escallyate concerns with clarity and urgency to Program Management and senior leadership.

Supplier Quality — APQP, PPAP & Supply Base Management

Lead APQP execution across Accessories and SUV commodity segments; drive PPAP readiness for DV, PV, and Job 1 build events to Slate timing and quality gates. Lead or oversee supplier audits (process and system) for accessory and SUV commodity suppliers; administer Slate's Quality Requirements Manual across the supply base. Maintain real‑time view of supplier risk posture across the Accessories and SUV supplier portfolio using structured risk profiling, scorecards, and audit findings. Lead or oversee engagement with distressed suppliers, including recovery planning, escalation protocols, and containment actions (GP-12, SCARs, corrective action closure). Partner with Purchasing on supplier sourcing decisions, providing quality input on supplier selection, capability assessments, and dual‑sourcing needs. Drive deployment of IntellaQuest eQMS modules (SupplierQuest, PPAPQuest, AuditQuest, PRRQuest) across the Accessories and SUV supply base. Coordinate with SQEs embedded at supplier sites to ensure consistent application of Slate quality standards during critical builds and validation events.

Quality Systems & Infrastructure

Own and continuously improve quality work instructions, RACI matrices, and standard operating procedures for Accessories and SUV in alignment with IATF 16949. Define and govern supplier onboarding, qualification, and ongoing monitoring standards for Accessories and SUV commodities. Partner with peer quality leaders (Plant Quality, Corporate SQ) to align quality standards and eliminate process gaps at functional interfaces. Author and maintain the team's standard playbook: APQP gate criteria, PPAP submission requirements, audit protocols, and corrective action escalation thresholds. Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned integration, process benchmarking, and structured capability‑building across the PQE and SQE team.

Reporting & Executive Communication

Compile and publish weekly Q-Reports consolidating team inputs on top risks, MRD-at-risk parts, PPAP blockers, and cross-program themes for leadership audiences. Maintain executive-ready reporting on PPAP status, audit findings, DVP progress, corrective action closure, and supplier quality KPIs. Communicate proactively with senior leadership on quality risks that may affect launch timing, build event readiness, or vehicle/accessory quality. Support Board of Directors and investor-level quality briefings as required.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field; advanced degree a plus
• 12+ years of experience in automotive quality engineering; at least 4 years in a leadership role spanning Program Quality or Supplier Quality
• Deep expertise across APQP, PPAP, IATF 16949, FMEA (AIAG-VDA 2019), DVP&R, control plans, MSA, and SPC.
• Demonstrated experience leading both program/product quality and supplier quality functions simultaneously — not one in isolation
• Hands‑on experience managing quality across accessory commodities, exterior/interior systems, and/or EV-specific integration challenges
• Strong track record managing distressed suppliers and driving quality recovery in a high‑velocity launch environment
• Experience with eQMS platforms and building scalable quality infrastructure in a growing or greenfield organization
• Ability to interpret and present complex supplier risk and program quality data to executive and cross‑functional audiences
• Preferred Experience in an EV startup or greenfield manufacturing launch environment
• Hands‑on experience with automotive accessory systems — audio, lighting, exterior/interior trim, roof and closure systems, or smart tech features
• Familiarity with VDA 6.3 process audits, AIAG supplemental PPAP requirements, and FMVSS regulatory requirements applicable to accessories and SUV systems
• Experience deploying or administering IntellaQuest or a comparable eQMS platform across a supply base
• Familiarity with Polarion, Windchill, or similar PLM/requirements management tools
• CQE, CQM, Six Sigma Black Belt, or IATF lead auditor certification

Salary Range

Base Pay Range (Annual) $185,293.24 - $308,822.06 USD

Annual Additional Compensation and Benefits: Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• disability insurance
• vacation
• 401k
• equity program
• discretionary annual incentive program

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer.

We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

About Us

At Slate, we’ve got one job: building a vehicle you’ll fall in love with, right here in the USA. We believe that car buyers—not car companies—should call the shots. We like looking at a road, not a screen. We don’t like paying for stuff we don’t need. We like picking out the stuff we do need. We think dings are badges, not blemishes. But we know not everyone likes what we like. So, we built you a Slate: you make it yours.