Supplier Quality Engineer, BIW / Class A

Scout Motors • Blythewood, SC

19d • $95,000 - $120,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Scout Motors is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to support supplier quality planning and execution from advanced development through mass production. The role applies APQP and VDA quality management processes to ensure suppliers meet Scout’s quality, performance, manufacturing, and delivery expectations and help achieve customer satisfaction. The engineer will work closely with suppliers and Scout’s Supply Chain, Purchasing, Design, Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to oversee industrialization, launch readiness, production changes, corrective actions, and continuous improvement. The position is based at Scout Motors’ Blythewood, South Carolina location and requires working in the office 4–5 days per week. Domestic and international travel is required approximately 40–70% of the time; a valid driver’s license and passport are required.

This is a full-time, exempt position eligible for a base salary and an annual performance bonus. The initial base salary range is $95,000–$120,000.

Requirements

• 4–8 years of experience in automotive or applicable Tier I experience.
• Very good technical understanding and specialist knowledge of vehicle development, vehicle production, and supply-chain management.
• Excellent operations experience and a very good understanding of vehicle assembly and functionality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of quality management and methodologies.
• Understanding of safety requirements.
• Understanding of IATF, VDA, ISO, DIN, and regulatory requirements.
• Certification in AIAG Core Tools: MSA, APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, and PPAP.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, assertiveness, entrepreneurial thinking, and goal- and results-oriented decision-making.
• Leadership and team-management abilities, with a track record of building and leading high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to direct supplier activities at management level to ensure customer requirements and expectations are met.
• Proven ability to execute project-management techniques.
• Strong technical writing skills using SPC and data analysis, and the ability to explain complex issues concisely and plainly.
• Ability to work in the Blythewood, South Carolina office 4–5 days per week and travel domestically and internationally approximately 40–70% of the time.
• Valid driver's license and passport required.
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical or vehicle engineering, industrial engineering, or a related field (preferred).
• In-depth knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and inspection, and of PPAP, APQP, and VDA processes (quality systems experience is a plus).
• VDA auditing experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Support supplier quality planning and execution of manufacturing, assembly techniques, and quality control processes from advanced development through mass production using APQP and VDA quality management processes.
• Support quality performance and functional standards to ensure supply-chain activities meet customer satisfaction requirements.
• Provide leadership to suppliers to ensure Scout’s quality expectations are met and industrialization activities are completed on time; escalate when suppliers cannot meet requirements.
• Manage proactive and reactive supplier containment.
• Review and participate in approval of boundary samples, appearance catalogs, and related materials.
• Ensure product architecture changes are identified and managed proactively.
• Manage Supplier PPAPs and ongoing supplier activities from development through series production.
• Partner with Supply Chain to escalate issues and resolve them in a timely manner.
• Lead supplier improvements in cost, quality, and manufacturability.
• Clarify technical requirements among suppliers and Scout Purchasing, Quality, and Design teams, maintaining transparency and communication.
• Conduct supplier audits and manage corrective actions to ensure suppliers can meet part performance, delivery, and reliability expectations.
• Collaborate with Design, Quality, and Manufacturing to establish performance specifications and supplier metrics.
• Monitor supplier manufacturing-process development and launch readiness for new products and design changes.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Ensure suppliers maintain robust processes and procedures for efficient, high-quality mass production.
• Validate supplier corrective actions involving design or process changes, using read-across methods for similar manufacturing lines or suppliers.
• Facilitate adoption of new or alternative materials that can improve design robustness, quality, manufacturability, or cost.
• Participate in supplier reviews, including reviews of new suppliers and design for manufacturability.
• Support or lead suppliers in the use of effective manufacturing, testing, gauging, poka-yokes, tools, and assembly equipment.
• Drive quality improvements with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to meet and exceed quality KPIs.
• Support planning, execution, and evaluation of root-cause analysis using fast-response methodologies.
• Lead, participate in, and drive Scout’s quality expectations to meet KPIs.
• Represent Scout with dignity and respect when working at suppliers.
• Work with suppliers and cross-functional teams to mitigate and resolve warranty claims.
• Work cross-functionally with other Scout departments.
• Support NCR resolution.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive insurance, including 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