Manufacturing Quality Engineer, Incoming

Slate Auto; Warsaw (IN); On-site; USD 109,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate is seeking a Manufacturing Quality Engineer to drive new products and process development, ensuring safe, reliable launches. You will work with suppliers and internal teams to uphold quality across the production line and to minimize risk during scale-up.

Ideal candidates bring 6+ years in manufacturing QA, strong knowledge of QMS, Six Sigma, and FMEA, and a collaborative, data-driven mindset. This is a high-impact role in a fast-paced startup environment in the USA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6+ years of engineering or quality assurance experience in manufacturing.
• Proficiency in QMS and tools such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and SPC.
• Ability to conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Familiarity with FMEA and risk assessment tools.
• Strong analytical, data-driven decision making, and communication skills.
• Experience in supplier quality management and setting incoming material quality expectations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Approve PPAP submissions from suppliers to ensure compliance with quality standards.
• Follow up on supplier corrective actions and ensure timely resolutions.
• Support problem-solving activities related to supplier quality.
• Provide production line support for supplier quality issues on the line.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments and manage certifications.
• Coordinate incoming inspection processes and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Provide part inspection support for new products, launches, and builds.
• Develop and maintain supplier performance scorecards to track improvements.

Skills

Quality assurance

Six Sigma

Lean manufacturing

SPC

FMEA

Root cause analysis

Supplier quality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality Management, or related field

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 WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Slate is looking for a dynamic, experienced Manufacturing Quality Engineer to join our growing team. The position will primarily focus on new products and process development and will play a pivotal role in ensuring a safe and successful launch. The role will utilize core quality skills and tools to manufacture and deliver the highest quality products within our various manufacturing processes. The expectation will be to work closely with internal and external partners to ensure we exceed customers’ expectations.

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT:

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO:

• Approve PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) Submissions: Review and approve PPAP submissions from suppliers to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications per inspection plans and requirements.
• Follow Up on Supplier Corrective Actions: Monitor and ensure timely resolution of issues identified in supplier corrective actions.
• Support Problem-Solving Activities: Assist in problem-solving activities related to supplier quality, providing expertise and guidance.
• Provide Production Line Support: Offer support for any supplier quality issues that arise on the production line, ensuring minimal disruption, communicating to the appropriate quality engineer and design responsible engineer.
• Conduct Supplier Capability Assessments: Evaluate supplier capabilities and manage certifications to ensure they meet required regulatory standards.
• Coordinate Incoming Inspection Processes: Oversee incoming inspection processes to ensure supplier compliance with quality requirements.
• Provide part inspection support for incoming inspection for new products, launches, and builds.
• Implement Supplier Performance Strategies: Develop and maintain supplier performance strategies and scorecards to track and improve supplier performance from the launch processes.
• Collaborate with Supplier quality: Work with supplier quality to develop and implement improvement strategies, fostering strong partnerships.
• Conduct Internal Audits: Perform internal audits and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as scrap rates and supplier performance and issue Quality Failure Reports.
• Manage Obsolete Materials: Ensure obsolete materials are managed and aligned with production needs to prevent mixing with active materials during the launch process.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Work with various teams to ensure quality requirements are developed and seamlessly integrated into the manufacturing process.
• Maintain Quality Documentation: Develop and maintain essential quality documentation, including control plans, inspection procedures, and quality manuals.
• Risk Minimization: Utilize risk assessment tools to minimize risks and verify the robustness of detection and prevention systems for special characteristics.
• Support FMEA Development: Assist in the development and maintenance of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Provide Quality Support: Offer quality support to technical and manufacturing teams for supplier issues, driving and supporting daily operations.
• Additional Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:

• The role will be expected to have high integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive and growth mindset.
• You will feel comfortable operating in a flexible and fast-paced environment with a collaborative approach to achieving goals!
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6+ years of experience in engineering or quality assurance and control within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in quality management systems (QMS) and tools such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Ability to conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Familiarity with Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and risk assessment tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Experience in supplier quality management and the ability to set and monitor quality expectations for incoming materials.
• High attention to detail, especially in maintaining quality documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to perform additional duties as assigned.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, a high level of assertiveness, as well as entrepreneurial thinking and goal- and result-oriented decision-making skills.
• Proven track record of engaging and participating in high-performing teams.
• Proficient in the use of commonly applied quality tools and processes in the automotive industry (e.g., AIAG, IATF 16949, MSA, SPC, APQP, PPAP, etc.).
• Highest level of integrity and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced start-up environment.

SALARY RANGE:

The compensation for this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organizational factors. Base Pay Range (Annual) 108,877.26 - 163,315.90 USD Annual

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

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

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE. Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affiliation 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.