Job Description
Job Purpose
We are seeking an experienced and technically strong Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) to support the launch of our new lithium‑ion cell manufacturing facility. This role will play a key part in establishing initial supplier quality processes by collaborating with suppliers to implement best practices, emphasizing defect prevention, waste reduction, and continuous improvement. The SQE will oversee supplier qualifications, process validations, and supplier performance monitoring to support the successful operation of the facility.
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.
This is a unique opportunity to influence the foundation of a new production site and help ensure that supplier quality processes, controls, and procedures are implemented effectively and sustainably.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead supplier quality activities during the factory build-out and transition into production including establishing baseline supplier quality metrics and process controls.
- Support vetting of new material, component, or equipment suppliers and process qualification/validation activities. Collaborate with manufacturing quality for IQ/OQ/PQ development, data evaluation, and risk reviews.
- Lead development and execution of supplier APQP processes and deliverables, including PFMEA, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, MSA, and PPAP documentation.
- Lead and develop a supplier quality capability to support all EnerSys Advanced Systems lines of business.
- Ensure supplier adherence to EnerSys’s Global Supplier Quality Manual and/or applicable standards.
- Conduct supplier audits and on-site assessments to identify potential supply chain quality risks and ensure supplier compliance with quality standards such as ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
- Collaborate with suppliers to improve manufacturing processes and enhance process controls.
- Develop and/or collaborate, implement, and mature supplier quality processes, supplier and receiving inspection methods and standards, sampling strategies, acceptance criteria, and control documentation for lithium‑ion cell production.
- Coordinate supplier APQP and supplier quality activities with Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D, and Supply Chain for new product introductions and new product deployments.
- Collaborate across departments to implement and sustain robust process controls and supplier quality standards. Provide supplier quality input to Engineering DFMEA activities to ensure product design risks are aligned with process capabilities and quality controls.
- 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).
- 8–10 years of supplier 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 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.
- Background in electrochemistry or battery quality engineering.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
- ASQ Certified Supplier Quality Engineer or equivalent.
- Certified ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or VDA 6.3 auditor preferred.