Engineering Quality Lead - Body Exterior Systems

Slate Auto

$100K — $130K *
Troy, MI 48085In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Vehicle, or related discipline)
  • Black Belt or Master Black Belt in Six Sigma preferred
  • 10-15+ years in automotive engineering or product quality with direct experience in Body Systems
  • Deep knowledge of product design, development, and manufacturing for Body Exterior Systems
  • Experience with Thermoplastic and composite component design and development
  • Familiarity with NHTSA FMVSS requirements and CAE methods for safety and durability optimization

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement engineering quality strategies to maximize customer satisfaction.
  • Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) initiatives to align design with safety and functional needs.
  • Drive the development of DFMEAs and DVPs, ensuring validation aligns with identified risks.
  • Manage and resolve technical issues through effective prioritization and visualization.
  • Define and oversee quality requirements while managing quality maturity processes.
  • Support testing program planning, execution, and evaluation for high-mileage vehicles.
  • Mentor team members and cultivate a learning environment to enhance technical capabilities.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead and implement innovative quality strategies
  • Work in a hands-on leadership role
  • Be part of a growing team with a focus on continuous learning and development
  • Engage in a dynamic, fast-paced, startup-like environment
  • Lead cross-functional teams and enhance your leadership skills
Full Job Description
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

SLATE seeks an accomplished Engineering Quality Lead for Exterior Systems to join our growing team. This is a hands-on leadership role accountable for delivering exceptional customer quality across the engineering, design, validation, and manufacturing of these Body systems.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. We are currently unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
  • Develop and implement engineering quality strategies for Body Systems to achieve best-in-class customer satisfaction.
  • Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) to ensure designs meet safety, functional, and customer requirements.
  • Drive the development of DFMEAs and DVPs; define validation approaches aligned to DFMEA/PFMEA risks; and lead root-cause analysis and issue resolution.
  • Manage issue identification, prioritization, visualization, and resolution across technical teams.
  • Define quality requirements, oversee quality maturity management, and validate functions and systems.
  • Support the planning, execution, and evaluation of test fleet and high-mileage vehicle programs.
  • Mentor team members, foster a culture of continuous learning, and develop the capabilities of the Technical Quality organization.


WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

Education
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Vehicle, or related discipline)
  • Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification in Six Sigma (IDDOV/DMAIC) and/or Structured Problem Solving is preferred


Experience
  • 10-15+ years in automotive engineering or product quality, with direct experience in Body Systems
  • Deep technical knowledge of product and vehicle design, development, and manufacturing for Body Exterior Systems.
  • Direct experience with Thermoplastic and composite component design and development.
  • Structural adhesive and bonding application experience.
  • Demonstrated success launching new programs on time while meeting quality and program metrics
  • Working knowledge of NHTSA FMVSS requirements and CAE methods applied to safety, NVH, and durability optimization


Skills
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams with clear communication and confident, results-oriented decision-making
  • Strong organizational skills with the capacity to manage multiple priorities in parallel
  • Advanced proficiency in product assessment, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis methodologies (Six Sigma, DFSS, Red X, or equivalent)
  • High integrity with a disciplined, data-driven approach to quality decisions
  • Adaptable and effective in a fast-paced, start-up environment

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