Engineer, Incoming Quality

Slate Auto•Warsaw, IN

17d

About The Position

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them. We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Incoming Quality Engineer to join our team. This role is critical in ensuring the quality of incoming materials and components, supporting supplier development, and driving continuous improvement in our manufacturing operations.

Requirements

8+ years related experience with Bachelor's degree, 6 years with Master's degree, 3 years with PhD or equivalent experience
High integrity, curiosity, and resourcefulness.
Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Strong teamwork, assertiveness, and a results-oriented mindset.
Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
Proven expertise in incoming inspection, supplier quality management, and root cause analysis.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; experience with data analysis and reporting.
Familiarity with automotive quality standards (AIAG, IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC).
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work cross-functionally.
Proficiency in quality management systems and tools such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and Statistical Process Control (SPC).

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or certifications (Six Sigma, ASQ, etc.).
Experience with electric vehicle components and supplier development.
Experience launching new vehicle programs in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage incoming quality inspection activities for all supplied components and materials.
Develop and implement inspection procedures and control plans for incoming parts.
Collaborate with suppliers to define and monitor quality expectations and ensure compliance with specifications.
Analyze incoming quality data, identify trends, and drive root cause analysis for any deviations.
Implement corrective and preventive actions in collaboration with suppliers and internal teams.
Coordinate and conduct incoming quality audits to ensure adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Maintain and update quality documentation including inspection records, control plans, and supplier quality reports.
Support new product launches by validating incoming parts and ensuring readiness for production.
Work cross-functionally with engineering, production, and quality teams to resolve quality issues and optimize processes.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on incoming quality, process capability, and cost reduction.
Provide technical guidance and training to inspection staff and cross-functional teams.
Support containment of nonconforming material on the production floor due to supplier quality issues.
Identify and segregate defective components, document nonconformance details, and coordinate with suppliers to initiate containment actions.
Facilitate root cause analysis and support disposition activities including rework, return, or scrap decisions.
Ensure timely communication and resolution to minimize production impact.
Perform other duties as assigned related to quality management.