Senior Quality Engineer - Coatings & Bonding (Automotive)

Slate Auto LLC; Warsaw (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Quality Engineer - Coatings & Bonding to lead technical quality across coating, sealing, e-coat, and bonding processes in automotive manufacturing. You will define testing requirements, validate cure cycles, and drive durability projects while supporting plant and product launches.

Ideal candidates bring 12+ years in coatings/bonding quality, deep automotive quality tooling knowledge, and a proven record of leading cross-functional teams through complex

Qualifications

• 12+ years related experience with Bachelor's degree.
• 8 years with Master's degree, 5 years with PhD or equivalent experience.
• Expert-level knowledge of coating, e-coat, sealing, and adhesive bonding technologies.
• Experience with glass bonding, structural adhesives, and panel bonding applications.
• Advanced proficiency with automotive quality tools and standards (IATF 16949, AIAG, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC).
• Proven ability to lead complex problem solving and drive corrective actions across organizations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical quality authority for coating, sealing, e-coat, and bonding processes.
• Lead validation of adhesives, coatings, cure cycles, and long-term durability performance.
• Support new plant and product launches, including definition of testing equipment and process capability.
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions for coating and bonding defects.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Product Development teams.
• Manage supplier quality expectations for coatings, sealants, and adhesive materials.
• Conduct process audits and ensure compliance with IATF 16949, AIAG, and internal quality standards.
• Support APQP activities including PFMEA, DFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and PPAP.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve robustness, efficiency, and quality performance.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements related to coatings and bonding.

Skills

Quality leadership

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD or equivalent

Tools

IATF 16949

AIAG

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

MSA

SPC

Job description

Slate is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Quality Engineer - Coatings & Bonding to lead technical quality across coating, sealing, e-coat, and bonding processes in automotive manufacturing. You will define testing requirements, validate cure cycles, and drive durability projects while supporting plant and product launches.

Ideal candidates bring 12+ years in coatings/bonding quality, deep automotive quality tooling knowledge, and a proven record of leading cross-functional teams through complex