Product Quality Engineer

Waabi • Pittsburgh, PA

1d

About The Position

Waabi, founded by AI visionary Raquel Urtasun, is the leader in Physical AI. With a world-class team, we're unlocking the next era of autonomous transportation with technology that's powering commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech.

With offices in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, and Pittsburgh, Waabi is growing quickly and looking for diverse, innovative and collaborative candidates who want to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai

You will...
- Lead the internal APQP process, focusing on design maturity milestones and ensuring the transition from prototype to production (SOP).
- Work with Hardware Engineering on the Design PPAP deliverables, including Standards, Requirements, Changes, Design Documentation, DFMEAs. Identifying special characteristics (SCs/CCs), ensuring design risks are identified and managed.
- Partner with Hardware and Software Engineering to develop specialized End-of-Line (EOL) testers and calibration fixtures that validates the product design, supporting production assembly verification.
- Own the RCCA (Root Cause Corrective Action) process for system-level and field-reported failures, using 8D methodology to solve complex issues that span hardware, software, and environmental factors.
- Support Reliability Engineering DV (Design Verification) and PV (Process Verification) test plans, ensuring the fully assembled robot can withstand automotive-grade environmental challenges over its intended service life.
- Lead technical quality interactions with OEM partners, ensuring our hardware/software integration meets their vehicle-level quality standards and rigorous safety gates.
- Manage vehicle integration with OEM partners, overseeing vehicle integration quality from implementation through Start of Production (SOP) and production support.
- Analyze Field Quality data to identify hardware issues and problems, informing opportunities for engineering improvements.
- Collaborate with Service and Operations teams to develop service procedures, field service bulletins, and repair procedures.
- Support Service and Operations teams with fleet reworks, rollouts, and recalls.
- Support internal R&D and early maturity builds by acting as the technical product quality lead on the floor, resolving assembly discrepancies and managing non-conforming material (MRB).
- Be QMS responsible for managing and improving Waabi’s quality management system.

Requirements

• Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Expertise in APQP & PPAP Frameworks: Deep understanding of how to apply automotive quality standards to a fast-moving tech environment.
• Problem-Solving Mastery: Expert in 8D, 5-Why, and Fishbone analysis, with a focus on system-level interactions (e.g., how field-driven vibration affects an optical sensor's calibration).
• Experience with PLM & Version Control: Skilled in managing complex Bills of Materials (BOMs) and ensuring software/firmware versions are tracked alongside hardware revisions.
• Proficient with Solidworks & Technical Drawings: Ability to review complex assemblies, perform tolerance stack-up analysis, and interpret GD&T.
• Experience with various manufacturing processes (e.g. printed circuit board, PCBA, wire harness, sheet metal, injection molding, stamping, die casting, and CNC machining).
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to evaluate designs and identify design challenges or issues that may be mitigated to improve manufacturability and product quality.
• Reliability & Analytics: Experience analyzing and using data to predict product life and drive improvements.
• Experience with automotive standards (e.g. ISO 9001, IATF 16949 or ISO 26262).
• Travel Expectations: Approximately 25% travel required. This is objective-based and fluctuates according to program milestones and product quality needs.

Nice To Haves

• Automotive, Aerospace, Autonomous Vehicle (AV) or EV industry experience is highly preferred.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 and IPC-A-610 knowledge for acceptance of wire harness assemblies and electronic assemblies.
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Black Belt.

Responsibilities

• Lead the internal APQP process, focusing on design maturity milestones and ensuring the transition from prototype to production (SOP).
• Work with Hardware Engineering on the Design PPAP deliverables, including Standards, Requirements, Changes, Design Documentation, DFMEAs. Identifying special characteristics (SCs/CCs), ensuring design risks are identified and managed.
• Partner with Hardware and Software Engineering to develop specialized End-of-Line (EOL) testers and calibration fixtures that validates the product design, supporting production assembly verification.
• Own the RCCA (Root Cause Corrective Action) process for system-level and field-reported failures, using 8D methodology to solve complex issues that span hardware, software, and environmental factors.
• Support Reliability Engineering DV (Design Verification) and PV (Process Verification) test plans, ensuring the fully assembled robot can withstand automotive-grade environmental challenges over its intended service life.
• Lead technical quality interactions with OEM partners, ensuring our hardware/software integration meets their vehicle-level quality standards and rigorous safety gates.
• Manage vehicle integration with OEM partners, overseeing vehicle integration quality from implementation through Start of Production (SOP) and production support.
• Analyze Field Quality data to identify hardware issues and problems, informing opportunities for engineering improvements.
• Collaborate with Service and Operations teams to develop service procedures, field service bulletins, and repair procedures.
• Support Service and Operations teams with fleet reworks, rollouts, and recalls.
• Support internal R&D and early maturity builds by acting as the technical product quality lead on the floor, resolving assembly discrepancies and managing non-conforming material (MRB).
• Be QMS responsible for managing and improving Waabi’s quality management system.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and equity awards.
• Health and Wellness benefits encompassing Medical, Dental and Vision coverage (for full-time employees only).
• Unlimited Vacation.
• Flexible hours and Work from Home support.
• Daily drinks, snacks and catered meals (when in office).
• Regularly scheduled team building activities and social events both on-site, off-site & virtually.
• As we grow, this list continues to evolve!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees