Quality Engineer - Control Plan - Battery Cell Manufacturing

Volkswagen Group of America; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 124,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Volkswagen Group of America, based in Chicago, is looking for a Quality Engineer to oversee quality standards in solid-state battery cell manufacturing. The role requires a combination of technical expertise and collaboration across teams to ensure compliance and continuous improvement. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and at least 5 years of quality control experience.

Benefits

Eligibility for annual performance bonus

401(k), with company match

Company lease car program

Paid time off

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in quality control in automotive or battery industries.
• Business fluency in English; German skills advantageous.
• 3-5 years as the cell/module part owner.

Responsibilities

• Develop control plans for quality expectations in battery cell production.
• Analyze and categorize failures to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, and Production teams on quality goals.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Project management

Poka-yoke techniques

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor in chemistry, material sciences, physics, mechanical engineering or electrical engineering

Master or Doctorate Degree in relevant fields

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Quality Engineer - Control Plan - Battery Cell Manufacturing

Volkswagen Group of America

Chicago

USD 124,000 - 175,000

Be among the first applicants.

7 days ago

Job Description - Quality Engineer - Control Plan - Battery Cell Manufacturing (OPE000010)

Quality Engineer - Control Plan - Battery Cell Manufacturing - OPE000010 - Fully On-Site

Primary Location

VW. Two letters. Endless opportunities. A bright future.

Innovation. Sophistication. Optimization. This is our Passion.

Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises divers brands in several European countries: e.g. Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Scania or MAN.Here in the US, we are blending German engineering with American ingenuity.

With our battery activities we are ready to challenge the status quo. Our mission is to power the transformation towards electric mobility and renewable energy by building a local battery industry. And we believe that it is time for a new generation of batteries: Safer, more sustainable and more resilient. Batteries with positive power. Batteries for generations to come. We are shaping the battery future. And just as it needs a lot of different expertise to scale big projects, the battery future will be built by people with a wide range of skills and experience. We are chemists, project managers, battery experts, procurement specialists, IT professionals, sustainability experts, and more. Regardless of your background, if you are up for the challenge, join our missionand be part of the change.

Quality Engineer - Control Plan

Role Summary:

This position is the Quality part owner of the local developed cell/module component within the project Thor. The main responsibilities include: ensuring world-class quality standards in solid-state battery cell manufacturing. This role develops and implements in/at-line inspection systems, analyzes failures, and drives continuous improvement. It requires close collaboration with production engineers and R&D teams. The engineer fosters a proactive quality culture and ensures compliance with internal standards and external regulations.

Role Responsibilities:

• Develop, write, and implement comprehensive control plans that define quality expectations at each stage of production for solid-state battery cells.
• Establish and maintain a failure catalogue to document, analyze, and categorize failures, ensuring trends are identified and addressed in a timely manner to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure all solid-state battery cells meet or exceed rigorous quality, reliability, and performance standards during production.
• Implement, oversee, and continuously improve real-time, in-line inspection and testing strategies tailored to solid-state cell manufacturing.
• Investigate production issues and defects using structured problem-solving tools (e.g., 5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA), and ensure robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Collaborate with process engineers to embed quality control measures and mistake-proofing (poka-yoke) directly into production workflows.
• Define, track, and analyze critical-to-quality (CTQ) parameters and process KPI's to maintain consistent product output and minimize variability.
• Provide quality expertise during the scale-up of novel solid-state technologies and support qualification of new tools, processes, and materials.
• Partner closely with Engineering, R&D, Maintenance, and Production teams to align quality goals with manufacturing objectives.
• Regularly audit shop floor practices, ensuring adherence to internal standards and external regulations (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949).
• Foster a proactive quality culture by coaching operators, technicians, and engineers in quality awareness, ownership, and best practices.
• Maintain and improve documentation related to quality processes, deviations, inspection protocols, and audit findings.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional experience in development quality control and/or supplier quality assurance in automotive, semiconductor or battery industry.

Education:

Required

• Bachelor in chemistry, material sciences, physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or a comparable qualification.
• Master or Doctorate Degree in chemistry, material sciences, physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or a comparable qualification.

Skills:

• Analytical and conceptual thinking – using logic and reason, creative and strategic.
• Highly organized and good time management.
• Communication skills – interpersonal, presentation and written.
• Computer savvy – skilled in the use of software.
• Integration – joining people, processes or systems.
• Influencing and negotiation skills.
• Above-average team skills.
• High level of assertiveness, confident demeanor.
• Persistence in implementing solutions.

Specialized Skills:

Required

• Experience in quality assurance.
• Comprehensive knowledge of batteries and battery cell technology.
• Business fluency in English.
• Good project management skills and good knowledge of MS Office.
• Demonstrated ability to work in confidential environment.
• German skills written and verbal are advantageous.
• 3-5 years as the cell, cell/module part owner.
• Knowledge of HV Battery system/EV.

Work Flexibility:

• Ability to maintain flexible work hours to account for time zone differences with Europe, when necessary.
• Overtime may be required to meet ramp-up deadlines.
• 10% Travel.

Benefits for this position include:

• Eligibility for annual performance bonus
• 401(k), with company match
• Company lease car program
• Paid time off

In Belmont, California, the salary range for this role is $124,400 – $175000, depending on education and experience.

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V.

Volkswagen Group of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.