Supplier Quality Engineer, Powertrain

Harbinger Motors Inc.; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early-stage stock options

Robust retirement savings (401k)

Annual vacation bonus

Wellness & fertility benefits

Cell phone stipend

Complimentary meals & stocked kitchens

Job summary

Harbinger Motors Inc. is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer for the Powertrain commodity to ensure quality of powertrain components. The role partners with suppliers, engineering, and production to define standards, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvement.

The SQE will manage supplier audits, APQP/PPAP processes, and ensure conformance to ISO 9001/IATF16949. Domestic and international travel up to 30–50% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent technical field.
• 3–7 years of manufacturing quality or supplier quality experience in automotive/aerospace.
• Knowledge of castings, forgings, gears, welding, tooling and related quality requirements.
• ASQ certifications such as CQE preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure compliance with quality standards.
• Conduct supplier audits (process, product, system) to qualify suppliers.
• Develop supplier performance metrics (defect rates, response times).
• Lead corrective/preventive actions for nonconforming parts.
• Establish supplier processes for tool trials, FAI, PPAP approvals.

Skills

Supplier quality engineering

Automotive quality

APQP / PPAP

ISO 9001 / IATF 16949

Root cause analysis

Audits & QMS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

ASQ certifications (e.g., CQE)

Tools

FMEA

QMS software

Statistical analysis (MSA, SPC)

Job description

Harbinger is an American commercial electric vehicle (EV) company on a mission to transform an industry starving for innovation. Harbinger’s best-in-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 Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) for Powertrain commodity who will be responsible for ensuring the quality of powertrain components supplied to the organization. This role involves collaborating with suppliers, engineering teams, and production teams to establish and maintain quality standards, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvement. The SQE will act as a liaison between the company and its suppliers to ensure components meet all technical specifications, quality standards, and customer requirements.

Responsibilities include defining quality standards, inspecting materials, equipment, processes, and products, developing quality control systems, supplier selection, PPAP, leading APQP, and determining corrective actions. A successful SQE should have excellent troubleshooting skills and be able to ensure that processes and products consistently meet established quality standards.

What You'll Do:

• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure compliance with company and industry quality standards.
• Conduct supplier audits, including process, product, and system audits, to assess and qualify new and existing suppliers.
• Develop and implement supplier performance metrics, including defect rates, response times, and process improvements.
• Work closely with suppliers to develop corrective and preventive action plans for nonconformance issues.
• Establish and validate supplier processes for, including tool trials, gauge design and approvals, first article inspection (FAI) and production part approval process (PPAP).
• Conduct incoming inspections and quality checks of powertrain components as needed.
• Review and approve supplier documentation, such as control plans, FMEAs, Deviations and inspection reports.
• Ensure compliance with specifications, drawings, and industry standards such as ISO 9001, IATF16949, or AS9100 as applicable.
• Participate in the supplier selection process by providing quality-related input.
• Lead weekly calls with suppliers to ensure parts are on track to meet quality and timing requirements for various build stages of the production line.
• Participate in design reviews with the design engineering and manufacturing team to mitigate risk for manufacturing and assembly.
• Monitor and report on supplier performance metrics, such as defect rates, delivery times, and compliance with specifications.
• Investigate and resolve quality issues related to supplier materials and components.
• Collaborate with suppliers to determine root causes of defects and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supplier quality and performance.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of supplier quality performance, audits, and corrective actions.
• Lead MRB meetings and act as a quality representative for the engineering change control board.

Who You Are:

Education/Certifications/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing) or a similar technical field required.
• At least 3 to 7 years of experience in manufacturing quality or supplier quality engineering in the automotive or aerospace industry or equivalent manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of castings, forgings, gears, welding, assembly, tooling, materials, and associated quality requirements.
• ASQ Certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Quality Auditor, Certified Quality Manager, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, or higher preferred.

Skills/Abilities and Attributes

• Knowledge of ISO-9001:2018 or IATF 16949 standard strongly desired.
• Understanding of basic quality core tools such as Quality Management Systems, Supplier and Internal Audits, APQP, SPC, PPAP, FMEA, and MSA.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Strong understanding of mechanical components (forgings, castings, sheet metal, plastic injection molding) and assembly processes.
• Ability to travel (domestic and international) up to 30 to 50%.

Additional Qualifications

• Proven experience in a quality engineering role, preferably within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance methodologies, tools, and techniques.
• Experience with supplier quality management, including auditing and performance evaluation.
• Proficiency in quality management systems (QMS) and relevant software applications.
• Certification in quality management (e.g., ASQ Certified Quality Engineer) is a plus

• Early-stage Stock Options
• Robust Retirement Savings (401k, HSA, FSA)
• Annual Vacation Bonus
• Wellness & Fertility Benefits
• Cell Phone Stipend
• Complimentary Meals & Stocked Kitchens

$100,000 - $160,000 USD

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.