Quality Engineer, Ford Energy

Ford Motor•Glendale, KY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Ford Energy, a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, designs, manufactures, and services grid-scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems. The Quality Engineer will support the launch and operation of a greenfield manufacturing site, applying engineering and analytical methods to establish quality standards and improve automated battery manufacturing processes. The role combines production-floor leadership, quality systems, corrective action, and cross-functional coordination in a startup environment. This position will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to Ford Energy within one year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, such as Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, or a related field.
0–3+ years of manufacturing process or quality engineering experience in an automated manufacturing facility.
Working knowledge of statistics, including control charts and data collection, as well as GD&T and PFMEA.
Ability to review 3D CAD using 3D Experience, CATIA, or equivalent.
Strong understanding of industrial controls and automation.
Demonstrated ability to support and launch programs, with a results-oriented mindset and strong project management skills.
Ability to support a 24/7 operation, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA.
Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies, including vision or camera systems, error-proofing (Poka-yoke) systems, and/or robotics.
Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification, including DMAIC, DMADV, or DFSS.
Expertise in 8D, 5-Why, FMEA, PPAP, DOEs, and Value Stream Mapping.
Skills in print reading, tool layouts, gauging, and ergonomic analysis.
Prior experience in a facility startup or new equipment commissioning.
Ability to translate evolving battery-industry quality needs into long-term continuous improvement strategies.
Ability to make rapid, data-driven quality decisions during facility constraints or critical equipment failures.
Resilience and adaptability when leading through the ambiguity of a new-site startup.

Responsibilities

Establish and monitor workstation-level quality targets during each build phase to validate workstation readiness.
Manage Statistical Process Control activities, including control charts, data collection, and GD&T, to reduce manufacturing variation.
Conduct process audits to verify compliance with process standards and environmental and quality requirements, including ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and IATF 16949.
Support efficiency planning and proactively identify and address workstation quality risks and failure modes using PFMEA.
Serve as the leader and subject matter expert for an assigned production-line section, coordinate activities, and drive improvements to plant KPIs.
Engage regularly on the production floor to resolve assembly concerns and promote lean manufacturing initiatives.
Lead variability reduction, lean manufacturing improvements, and solutions to throughput constraints.
Work cross-functionally with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and suppliers.
Develop KPIs and data visualizations that show actual versus expected quality and process performance.
Lead interim and permanent corrective actions for quality and production issues using 8D and structured problem-solving methods.
Lead change management to ensure process, equipment, and product modifications do not compromise quality.
Support a 24/7 manufacturing operation, including work across shifts, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate.