Job Title:  Lead Quality Engineer I

Job Purpose

We are seeking an experienced and technically strong Lead Quality Engineer to support the launch of our new lithium‑ion cell manufacturing facility. This role will play a key part in establishing initial manufacturing quality processes, defining APQP elements and control plans, and creating early documentation and controls that will enable a successful facility start-up. The ideal candidate has a strong background in high-volume high‑reliability manufacturing and experience contributing to quality system elements in early-stage environments in highly regulated environments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and mature manufacturing quality processes, inspection methods and standards, sampling strategies, acceptance criteria, and control documentation for lithium‑ion cell production.
• Lead development and execution of APQP deliverables, including PFMEA, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, MSA, and PPAP documentation.
• Develop and deliver training programs for future employees on APQP fundamentals, quality tools, defect prevention, and process controls.
• Coordinate APQP and manufacturing quality activities across Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D, and Supply Chain for new product introductions and new process deployments and act as liaison with customer representatives as required.
• Support equipment and process qualification/validation activities including IQ/OQ/PQ development, data evaluation, and risk reviews.
• Collaborate across departments to implement and sustain robust process controls and manufacturing quality standards.
• Provide manufacturing quality input to Engineering DFMEA activities to ensure product design risks are aligned with process capabilities and quality controls.
• Establish baseline quality metrics and process controls during equipment commissioning, pilot builds, and production ramp‑up.
• Perform statistical analysis, process capability assessments, and SPC implementation for critical manufacturing processes and identify improvement opportunities.
• Conduct manufacturing process audits to ensure compliance with documented processes and control plans.
• Provide technical guidance and training to engineers and technicians during facility launch, initial production runs, and quality system implementation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Materials, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related field).
• 10+ years of quality engineering experience in high‑volume highly regulated manufacturing environment, with at least 2+ years in lithium-related manufacturing.
• Experience launching new manufacturing lines or processes, with direct involvement in developing manufacturing quality controls and documentation.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis tools (Minitab, JMP, Python, etc.).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with ERP, PLM, MES systems (SAP, Oracle, PTC Windchill, etc.) is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in cylindrical lithium‑ion cell manufacturing processes (mixing, coating, calendering, slitting, winding, welding, filling, formation, etc.).
• Background in electrochemistry or battery quality engineering.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or equivalent.
• Certified ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or VDA 6.3 auditor preferred.