Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer

Proterra Inc.; Greer (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Proterra Inc. is seeking a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer to lead supplier development strategies, ensuring quality and continuous improvement for EV battery module production. This role involves managing supplier audits, supporting compliance initiatives, and utilizing statistical analyses to drive supplier performance. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years in supplier quality engineering, with experience in automotive or aerospace preferred. The job is based in Greer, SC, with up to 30% domestic and international travel required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in supplier quality engineering.
• Experience in the automotive, aerospace, or EV industries preferred.
• Proficient in PPAP, FMEA, SPC, and MSA.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute supplier development strategy.
• Lead supplier quality audits and manage corrective actions.
• Support IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 compliance initiatives.

Skills

Supplier quality engineering

GD&T interpretation

APQP

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

SolidWorks

Minitab

Job description

Position Overview

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and continuous improvement of the supplier base supporting EV battery module production. This individual will own supplier development strategy, drive resolution of complex quality issues, and serve as the primary technical interface between Proterra Powered and its manufacturing partners across busbars, castings, adhesives, stampings/forming, machined components, injection-molded housings, and related module commodities.

About the Role – You will:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive supplier development strategy aligned with organizational production, quality, and cost objectives, with emphasis on module line suppliers.
• Identify capability gaps in the supplier base and implement structured improvement programs using APQP, PPAP, and 8D methodologies.
• Lead supplier segmentation and tiering efforts; establish long‑term development roadmaps for strategic suppliers.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Engineering, Procurement, and Operations to align supplier readiness with new product introduction and ramp timelines.
• Support IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 compliance initiatives across the supplier base.
• Establish and enforce supplier quality performance standards including PPM targets, PPAP submission timelines, and corrective action response requirements.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews using scorecards; track KPIs including NCR counts, audit findings, and warranty claims.
• Lead supplier quality audits (process, system, and layered) at manufacturing sites; manage findings through closure.
• Drive escalation and containment for critical supplier quality events impacting module line production.
• Manage full PPAP lifecycle inclusive of reviewing and approving control plans, FMEAs, MSAs, dimensional reports, etc.
• Lead root cause investigation and corrective action processes (8D/NCR) for supplier‑attributed defects; verify effectiveness of implemented corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate supplier quality records within quality management systems.
• Apply advanced statistical methods (SPC, Cpk/Ppk, MSA) to evaluate supplier process capability and drive data‑driven decision‑making.
• Interpret GD&T per ASME Y14.5‑2018 and assess supplier measurement system adequacy for complex geometries.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes across relevant commodity technologies: busbars, die castings, structural adhesives, metal stampings and formed components, machined parts, and injection‑molded housings.
• Other tasks assigned by management.

Your Experience Includes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive supplier quality engineering (or related engineering field) experience in a manufacturing environment; automotive, aerospace, medical, EV, or battery industries strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in PPAP, APQP, FMEA, SPC, MSA/Gage R&R, and 8D corrective action methodologies.
• Proficiency in GD&T interpretation per ASME Y14.5‑2018.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and managing corrective action systems.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% to support supplier visits, audits, and quality investigations.
• Proficient in using CAD modeling software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX, Onshape, Autodesk Inventor or others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence supplier technical teams and cross‑functional stakeholders.

Additional Desired Skills:

• Experience with module line commodity suppliers across busbars, castings, adhesives, stampings/forming, machining, and injection molding; EV battery module manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with data management and visualization platforms such as Smartsheet, Tableau, PowerBI, or equivalent.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification.
• Proficiency in data analytics tools to support quality data analysis such as Minitab.

Physical and Work Environment requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and inspect tooling and components on a production floor for extended periods.
• Valid driver’s license and passport required for domestic and international supplier travel.

Location & Travel

Location: Onsite role in Greer, SC

Travel: up to 30% Travel Domestic and International

Proterra is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all Employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Proterra participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program (E‑Verify).

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.