Quality Engineer, Powertrain

Harbinger Motors Inc.; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision

Early-stage stock options

401k, HSA, FSA

Generous PTO & parental leave

Annual vacation bonus

Wellness & fertility benefits

Cell phone stipend

Meals & stocked kitchens

Job summary

Harbinger Motors Inc. is seeking a Powertrain Quality Engineer to ensure the quality of powertrain components and assemblies across life cycle. You will partner with suppliers, design and production teams to establish standards, perform root cause analysis, and drive continuous improvement.

The role requires hands-on engineering with experience in powertrain quality, and knowledge of APQP, FMEA, PPAP, and SPC. Travel up to 30% will be needed to support suppliers and validations.

Qualifications

• Engineer with manufacturing, supplier and/or product development experience in powertrain quality.
• Strong understanding of mechanical components and assembly processes.
• Hands-on problem solving with data-driven methods.
• Knowledge of quality core tools and industry standards is required.

Responsibilities

• Monitor powertrain quality metrics and drive root cause resolution with cross-functional teams.
• Define quality standards, inspection criteria, and supplier quality controls.
• Lead audits, MRB meetings, and corrective action plans.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure ISO/IATF/AS standards compliance.
• Support PPAP, FAI, PPAP processes and production part approvals.

Skills

Problem solving

Data-driven

Project management

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Ability to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Industrial/Manufacturing engineering

Tools

APQP

FMEA

PPAP

SPC

Quality management systems

AS9100 / IATF 16949 knowledge

Job description

About Harbinger

Harbinger is an American commercial electric vehicle (EV) company on a mission to transform an industry starving for innovation. Harbinger’s best‑class team of EV, battery, and drivetrain experts have pooled their deep experience to bring a first‑of‑its‑kind EV platform to support the growing demand for medium‑duty EVs and hybrids. Harbinger: Familiar Form, Revolutionary Foundation.

Job Overview

We are looking for a Quality Engineer for Harbinger’s Powertrains. You will be responsible for ensuring the quality of powertrain components and assemblies throughout their life cycle. This role involves collaborating with suppliers, product designers, and production teams to establish and maintain quality standards, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvement. The powertrain QE will act as a liaison between the company cross‑functional teams, our suppliers, and our customers. Responsibilities include defining quality standards, performing root cause analysis, defining inspection standards, equipment controls, quality gates, supplier selection, APQP, and determining corrective actions. A successful Powertrain Quality Engineer should have excellent analytic and troubleshooting skills and be able to ensure that processes and products are consistently improved.

What You’ll Do

• Monitor drive unit quality performance metrics, proactively identify and elevate emerging high‑impact issues using process and warranty data for early resolution.
• Drive timely root cause analysis and resolution by engaging and holding cross‑functional teams accountable with a data‑driven approach to ensure root cause is identified and resolved.
• Implement continuous improvement by driving lessons learned into relevant processes.
• Develop and track data‑driven metrics to monitor corrective action effectiveness.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure compliance with company and industry quality standards.
• Conduct audits, including process, product, and system audits, to assess and qualify new and existing processes.
• Work closely with suppliers to develop corrective and preventive action plans for nonconformance issues.
• Establish and validate supplier processes for tool trials, gauge design and approvals, first‑article inspection (FAI), and production part approval process (PPAP).
• Perform risk analysis and control plan documentation, such as control plans, FMEAs, deviations, and inspection reports.
• Ensure compliance with specifications, drawings, and industry standards such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100 as applicable.
• Participate in the supplier selection process by providing quality‑related input.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and performance.
• Lead MRB meetings and act as a quality representative for the engineering change control board.

Who You Are

• Hands‑on engineer who loves to solve problems.
• Bias for action and continuous improvement.
• Energetic, passionate about quality and delivering best‑in‑class products.
• Technical, data‑driven and objective.
• Engineer (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing) or similar technical field.
• Three to seven years of experience in powertrain quality with manufacturing, supplier and/or product development experience.
• Strong understanding of mechanical components (forgings, castings, sheet metal, gears, plastic injection molding) and assembly processes (welding, leak testing, balancing NVH dyno testing, etc.).
• Knowledge of power electronics desired.
• ASQ certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Quality Auditor, Certified Quality Manager, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, or higher preferred.
• Understanding of basic quality core tools such as quality management systems, supplier management, problem‑solving management, auditing, APQP, SPC, PPAP, FMEA.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong data analytics and data manipulation background.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Ability to travel (domestic and international) up to 30%.

Key Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision (HDV) – 100% employee covered
• Early‑stage stock options
• Robust retirement savings (401k, HSA, FSA)
• Generous paid time off (PTO) & parental leave
• Annual vacation bonus
• Wellness & fertility benefits
• Cell phone stipend
• Complimentary meals & stocked kitchens

California Pay Range: $100,000 — $150,000 USD

Equal Opportunity

Harbinger is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Harbinger is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at [e-mail].