Quality Engineer, Ford Energy

Ford; Glendale (KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Energy, a Ford Motor Company subsidiary, seeks a Quality/Manufacturing Lead to build and lead an agile team delivering advanced quality standards for a new Greenfield BESS manufacturing site in the US. You will drive data-driven improvements and establish SPC, PFMEA, and GD&T practices across the production line.

Collaborating with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Suppliers, you will ensure ISO/IATF compliance while advancing lean initiatives and KPIs to meet launch timelines and

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field with strong foundation in quality engineering.
• Experience: 0–3+ years in manufacturing process or quality engineering in automated facilities.
• Technical knowledge: statistics (control charts, data collection, GD&T), PFMEA, and 3D CAD review (3D Experience/CATIA).
• Strong understanding of industrial controls and automation; startup experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality and manufacturing systems on a Greenfield site; drive data-driven improvements.
• Establish and monitor quality target levels at workstation for each build phase; validate readiness.
• Direct SPC activities using control charts, data collection, and GD&T to minimize variation.
• Conduct process audits enforcing ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and IATF 16949 compliance.
• Support PFMEA and risk-based planning to improve efficiency and throughput.

Skills

Statistics & SPC

PFMEA

3D CAD review

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

3D CAD (3D Experience/CATIA)

GD&T

Job description

About Ford Energy

Ford Energy is a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company dedicated to accelerating US energy independence. Leveraging Ford’s century of manufacturing excellence and world-class battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid-scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems (BESS). Ford Energy is uniquely positioned to capture the growing demand for reliable, US-built energy storage systems. We are not just building batteries; we are building the infrastructure for the next generation of the American grid.

Why Ford Energy? At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package including performance-based bonuses, Ford vehicle discounts, and the opportunity to shape the energy strategy of one of the world's most iconic brands.

In this position...

• Lead with Purpose: Build and lead an agile team to deliver the advanced quality standards and technology that drive the future.
• Innovate: Use your entrepreneurial skills and team mindset to come up with data-driven solutions during the design, construction, and launch phases of a massive Greenfield manufacturing site.
• Empower Others: Create a culture of trust, encourage diversity of thought, and foster leadership in others to make quality a shared organizational responsibility.

What you'll do...

• Greenfield Quality Excellence & Manufacturing Systems
  • Apply engineering principles and analytical techniques to drive continuous improvement in automated battery manufacturing processes.
  • Play an integral part in the Launch process by establishing and monitoring quality target levels at the workstation level for each build phase to validate workstation readiness.
  • Manage and direct Statistical Process Control (SPC) activities, utilizing control charts, data collection, and GD&T to minimize manufacturing variation.
  • Conduct process audits to ensure the production process adheres to strict guidelines, specific process standards, and environmental/quality compliance (including ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and IATF 16949).
  • Support efficiency planning to ensure workstations are properly set up with quality risks and failure modes (PFMEA) proactively identified and addressed.
• Leadership & Culture
  • Develop 'Leaders as Teachers': Function as the leader and subject matter expert for your specified section of the production line. Coordinate activities and drive improvements to achieve plant KPIs.
  • Embrace the Gemba Philosophy: Regularly engage on the production floor to act as the team leader in resolving assembly-related concerns and driving lean manufacturing initiatives.
  • Remove Barriers: Lead variability reduction, lean manufacturing best practices, and the development of solutions for throughput constraints.
  • Champion Transparency: Work cross-functionally with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Suppliers
  • Flexibility: Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation, including flexibility to work across shifts, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate.
• Strategic Management & Integrity
  • Develop relevant KPIs and data visualizations to enable a clear, real-time understanding of actual vs. expected quality and process performance.
  • Lead the development of interim and permanent corrective actions to resolve quality and production issues using 8D methodology and structured problem-solving tools.
  • Provide robust change management leadership, ensuring all process, equipment, and product modifications are executed with zero impact on quality integrity.
• Capabilities for Success
  • Resilient Leader: An emotionally intelligent professional who remains calm, focused, and decisive when operating in high-pressure startup situations within tight timing constraints.
  • Collaborative Influencer: Proven ability to build trust, work effectively as part of a team, and coordinate cross-functionally to resolve complex assembly-related concerns.
  • Data-Driven Problem Solver: Strong analytical capability, utilizing statistical tools, data visualization, and failure mode avoidance principles to drive continuous improvement.
  • Integrity-Focused: A commitment to upholding the highest quality standards, ensuring that manufacturing speed never compromises product safety, reliability, or compliance.

You’ll have...

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, or related field).
• Experience: 0-3+ years of manufacturing process or quality engineering experience in an automated manufacturing facility.
• Technical Knowledge: Working knowledge of statistics (control charts, data collection, GD&T), PFMEA, and 3D CAD review abilities (3D Experience, CATIA, or equivalent). Strong understanding of industrial controls and automation.
• Startup Experience: Demonstrated ability to support and launch programs with a results-oriented mindset and strong project management skills.

Even better, you may have...

• Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA.
• Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies, including vision/camera systems, error-proofing (Poka-yoke) systems, and/or robotics.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification (DMAIC, DMADV/DFSS).
• Expertise in 8D, 5-Why, FMEA, PPAP, DOEs, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Demonstrated skills in print reading, tool layouts, gauging, and ergonomic analysis.
• Prior experience in a facility start-up or new equipment commissioning.
• Strategic Visionary: Able to translate the evolving quality needs of the battery industry into actionable long-term continuous improvement strategies.
• Decisive Under Pressure: Ability to make rapid, data-driven quality decisions during facility constraints or critical equipment failures.
• Adaptability: The resilience to lead through the ambiguity of a new site startup, supporting a 24/7 operation including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

This position is a salary grade 5-8 and ranges from $65,100-$166,200.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSRFE

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

Company: As Ford establishes a wholly owned subsidiary focused on Battery Energy Storage Systems, this role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year.

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