Title: Sr. Engineer, System Quality (Link Quality part)
Reports to: Senior Manager, QA
Location: Phoenix, AZ
SummaryThe Sr. Engineer, System QA (Link Quality) is responsible for leading manufacturing quality activities and driving continuous quality improvement for ESS Link products.
This role manages quality performance throughout manufacturing operations, identifies and mitigates quality risks, and provides technical leadership for quality issues spanning from production through customer deployment.
The Sr. Engineer works closely with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, SAT, and Quality Operations teams to resolve complex quality issues, implement corrective actions, improve product reliability, and ensure customer satisfaction.
Responsibilities1. Manufacturing Quality Leadership- Lead manufacturing quality activities for ESS Link production lines
- Drive quality performance improvements through data analysis and risk-based decision making
- Monitor key quality performance indicators (KPIs) and lead continuous improvement initiatives
- Ensure quality readiness for new products, production ramp-ups, and process changes
- Provide technical leadership for manufacturing quality concerns
- Lead quality stabilization and quality maturity improvement activities
2. Customer Quality & Risk Management- Evaluate quality risks that may impact customers, field operations, or product reliability
- Support shipment hold and release decisions
- Lead investigations related to customer complaints, field quality concerns, and SAT findings
- Assess customer impact and establish containment actions when required
- Drive quality improvement initiatives focused on customer satisfaction
3. Complex Problem Solving- Lead root cause investigations for significant and recurring quality issues
- Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving activities across multiple organizations
- Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, QRQC, 5 Why, and Fishbone Analysis
- Drive implementation and verification of corrective and preventive actions
- Identify and eliminate systemic causes of quality issues
- Support escalation management and executive-level reporting as needed
4. Change Management & Quality Validation- Evaluate quality impacts of changes to materials, processes, equipment, and inspection methods
- Support 4M Change Management activities and approval processes
- Participate in quality readiness reviews and validation activities
- Support quality verification for new products and manufacturing processes
- Lead quality stabilization activities during initial production phases
5. Quality Systems & Compliance- Manage NCR activities and non-conforming product processes
- Support implementation and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS)
- Ensure compliance with ISO9001 requirements and customer-specific quality requirements
- Support internal and external audits, including corrective action follow-up
- Develop, maintain, and improve quality standards, procedures, and work instructions
6. Data Analytics & Continuous Improvement- Analyze quality trends, field performance data, SAT feedback, and manufacturing quality metrics
- Utilize SPC and statistical tools to improve process performance and product quality
- Identify leading indicators and quality risks before customer impact occurs
- Lead quality improvement projects focused on reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction
- Support Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) reduction initiatives
7. Cross-Functional Collaboration- Collaborate with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Supply Chain, SAT, Quality Operations, and Project Management teams
- Provide technical quality guidance to inspectors, technicians, engineers, and supervisors
- Communicate quality risks, concerns, and improvement activities throughout the organization
- Serve as a key liaison between manufacturing operations and field quality activities
Qualifications- Bachelor's Degree required
- Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field preferred
- Master's Degree preferred
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred
Experience- 7+ years of experience in Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, or related technical quality roles
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations in a production environment
- Experience leading quality improvement projects and complex problem-solving activities
- Experience with NCR management, corrective actions, and quality risk assessment
- Experience using SPC, 8D, QRQC, 5 Why, and other structured problem-solving methodologies
- Experience with ISO9001, Quality Management Systems, and audit activities
- Experience in ESS, battery systems, electrical assembly, automotive, industrial equipment, or related industries preferred
- Startup manufacturing experience preferred
Skills1. Quality Leadership- Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority
- Strong quality risk assessment and decision-making capability
- Customer-focused quality mindset
- Ability to balance production demands with quality requirements
2. Technical & Analytical Skills- Advanced problem-solving and root cause analysis capability
- Strong data analysis and statistical evaluation skills
- Ability to interpret manufacturing, field, and quality performance data
- Experience using Minitab, Excel, and other quality analysis tools
3. Project & Process Management- Ability to manage multiple quality initiatives simultaneously
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Experience driving continuous improvement activities
4. Communication & Collaboration- Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with operators, inspectors, technicians, engineers, management, and customers
- Ability to prepare executive-level summaries and technical reports
- Strong collaboration skills across multiple functions and organizations
Desired Candidate Profile- A quality professional who proactively identifies and mitigates quality risks before customer impact occurs
- An individual who makes decisions based on facts, data, and technical analysis
- A leader who views quality from the customer's perspective
- A professional capable of driving organizational change and quality improvement initiatives
- Someone who understands both manufacturing quality and field quality performance
- A technical leader committed to improving product reliability, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction
- An individual who takes ownership of quality performance and drives issues through permanent resolution
