Process Engineer

Scout Motors • Blythewood, SC

2d • $95,000 - $120,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Scout Motors is seeking a Process Engineer to own quality performance for assigned vehicle assembly processes, production areas, or vehicle systems from prototype builds through launch and series production. The role analyzes product-quality trends and drives corrective and preventive actions, while developing and maintaining quality-control plans, inspection standards, and defect-detection systems. It leads quality problem-solving through investigation, containment, root-cause determination, corrective action, and verification of sustained effectiveness.

The position works cross-functionally with Product Engineering, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, and teams across BIW, Paint, Trim, Chassis, and other areas to support design quality, manufacturability, build feasibility, and dimensional quality. It validates critical processes using methods such as error-proofing, torque traceability, camera-based inspection, and real-time quality monitoring; drives continuous improvement; supports quality-system audits and readiness; and trains production teams and inspectors. The role makes quality recommendations within its scope, escalates significant risks, and communicates quality issues and recommendations to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

The role is based at Scout Motors’ Blythewood, South Carolina location and requires 4–5 days per week in the office, with occasional travel for company events. It is a full-time, exempt position with a base salary range of $95,000–$120,000 and eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of experience in automotive assembly quality or manufacturing-quality engineering, preferably in a high-volume environment.
• Experience with cross-functional vehicle systems and multi-stage quality assurance across areas such as BIW, Paint, Trim, Chassis, and Final Assembly.
• Demonstrated ownership of manufacturing-quality issues from identification through containment, root-cause analysis, corrective action, and verified closure.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, Gage R&R, and statistical process control.
• Skill with structured quality and problem-solving methods such as 8D, DMAIC, Fishbone, 5-Why, and FMEA facilitation.
• Ability to evaluate competing quality, production, timing, cost, and technical considerations, adapt established approaches, and recommend a course of action.
• Proficiency with quality data systems, manufacturing-execution systems, and dashboards.
• Working knowledge of CAD tools, engineering drawings, or component and process specifications.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills, including explaining technical recommendations to audiences with differing subject-matter knowledge.
• Ability to work with limited day-to-day direction and seek review or escalate risks at critical decision points.
• A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent is required for all Scout Motors roles.
• The position requires working in person at the Blythewood, South Carolina location 4–5 days per week and occasional travel for company events.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, a positive attitude, a growth mindset, flexibility in a fast-paced environment, and a collaborative approach.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own quality performance for assigned vehicle assembly processes, production areas, or vehicle systems from prototype builds through launch and series production.
• Analyze product-quality trends using Pareto analysis, statistical process control (SPC), and root-cause analysis; evaluate process, product, timing, and production factors and drive corrective and preventive actions using 8D and DMAIC.
• Develop, implement, and maintain layered quality-control plans, inspection standards, and defect-detection systems appropriate to product complexity, process risk, and launch phase.
• Lead problem-solving during prototype builds, pre-production, ramp-up, and series production, including investigation, containment, root-cause determination, corrective action, and verification of sustained effectiveness.
• Work with Product Engineering, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, and other cross-functional partners to support design-for-quality, manufacturability, and build feasibility.
• Support dimensional-quality efforts, including fit and finish, flushness, and closure alignment, in collaboration with BIW, Paint, Trim, Chassis, and other affected teams.
• Validate critical assembly processes using error-proofing, poka-yoke systems, torque traceability, camera-based inspection, and real-time quality monitoring.
• Adapt quality methods and controls to unusual circumstances, recurring defects, or process variation when standard solutions are insufficient.
• Make quality recommendations and decisions within assigned scope to protect launch readiness, production continuity, regulatory compliance, and customer quality; escalate material risks and decisions outside the role’s authority.
• Drive continuous-improvement and defect-reduction initiatives across assigned stations and systems, and track actions through closure.
• Conduct audits and support readiness for IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, and applicable Volkswagen Group quality standards.
• Train production teams and quality inspectors on process controls, quality-critical features, inspection standards, and lessons learned.
• Communicate quality matters, corrective-action recommendations, and production risks to technical and nontechnical stakeholders, adapting detail to the audience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and income protection plans.
• 401(k) program with employer match and immediate vesting.
• 20 days of planned PTO, as accrued.
• 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays annually.
• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders.
• Paid leave for bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave.
• Annual performance bonus program.
• Competitive compensation and benefits supporting physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED