Quality Engineer, Ford Energy

Ford•Glendale, KY

7h•$65,100 - $166,200•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. This Quality Engineer role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year. The position supports the design, construction, launch, and operation of a Greenfield battery manufacturing site, applying engineering principles and data-driven methods to deliver quality and continuous improvement. The role provides leadership and subject-matter expertise for an assigned production-line section, works cross-functionally with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and suppliers, and supports a 24/7 manufacturing operation across shifts, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate. The Quality Engineer establishes and monitors workstation-level quality targets and readiness, manages Statistical Process Control activities, conducts process audits, and proactively identifies and addresses quality risks and failure modes. The role leads corrective actions and change management, develops quality and process performance KPIs and visualizations, and applies lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving to improve product quality, safety, reliability, compliance, and production performance.

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, and GD&T.
Working knowledge of PFMEA and 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 flexibility to work across shifts, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as needed.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility will be verified at hire. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Ability to remain calm, focused, and decisive in high-pressure startup situations with tight timing constraints.
Ability to build trust, work effectively as part of a team, and coordinate cross-functionally to resolve complex assembly-related concerns.
Strong analytical capability using statistical tools, data visualization, and failure-mode-avoidance principles.
Commitment to quality standards and ensuring manufacturing speed does not compromise product safety, reliability, or compliance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA.
Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies, including vision or camera systems, Poka-yoke error-proofing systems, and/or robotics.
Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification, including DMAIC and DMADV/DFSS.
Expertise in 8D, 5-Why, FMEA, PPAP, DOE, 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 to lead through ambiguity at a new site startup.

Responsibilities

Apply engineering principles and analytical techniques to drive continuous improvement in automated battery manufacturing processes.
Establish and monitor workstation-level quality targets throughout each build phase to validate workstation readiness.
Manage and direct Statistical Process Control activities, using control charts, data collection, and GD&T to reduce manufacturing variation.
Conduct process audits to ensure production adheres to 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 through PFMEA.
Lead and coordinate activities for an assigned production-line section, acting as a subject-matter expert and driving improvements toward plant KPIs.
Engage regularly on the production floor to resolve assembly concerns and lead lean manufacturing initiatives.
Lead variability reduction, apply lean manufacturing practices, and develop solutions to throughput constraints.
Work cross-functionally with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and suppliers.
Develop relevant KPIs and data visualizations to show actual versus expected quality and process performance in real time.
Lead interim and permanent corrective actions for quality and production issues using 8D methodology and structured problem-solving tools.
Lead change management to ensure process, equipment, and product modifications do not compromise quality integrity.
Support a 24/7 manufacturing operation, including work across shifts, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business needs dictate.