Supplier Quality Engineer

Proterra•Greer, SC

32d•Onsite

About The Position

Proterra offers a dynamic and supportive workplace where our employees can thrive personally and professionally. With cutting-edge facilities and groundbreaking projects, Proterra offers unique opportunities to grow, collaborate, and lead transformative change in the electrification of heavy-duty transportation and equipment. Our commitment to innovation extends beyond our battery solutions to our people, where we create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to drive change for the earth. Here at Proterra we strive to foster a culture of inclusivity, valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging bold ideas, allowing our employees to bring their full selves to work. Our employees benefit from competitive total rewards packages, and opportunities to develop professionally. As a Supplier Quality Engineer at Proterra, you will own the quality of purchased components for our battery packs, with a focus on aluminum enclosures, fasteners and hardware, and parts sourced through distributors. You will work with an established supply base, primarily in North America, to keep parts conforming, resolve issues quickly, and drive continuous improvement. This is a hands-on, plant-facing role: you will spend real time on the production floor, getting to the source of problems and partnering with Sustaining Engineering and Plant Quality to solve them. It is an ideal opportunity for an early-career engineer who wants to build a strong foundation in automotive supplier quality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Materials Engineering, or a related technical field.
0 to 3 years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing or plant quality, industrial engineering, or a related role (co-op and internship experience counts).
Working knowledge of GD&T and the ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
Familiarity with core quality tools such as APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, SPC, and structured problem solving (8D, 5 Why, fishbone).
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
Willingness to travel up to 30% to supplier sites in North America.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to IATF 16949 and automotive manufacturing.
Experience with aluminum machining, extrusions, castings, spot welding, adhesive bonding, or fasteners and hardware.
Experience working with distributors or managing quality through a distribution channel.
Experience with Smartsheet, Power BI, or Minitab.
Familiarity with measurement tools and methods (calipers, CMM, gage R&R, calibration).
Exposure to Lean manufacturing or battery and EV components.
ASQ CQE or CQT certification, or Six Sigma Green Belt (or working toward one).

Responsibilities

Serve as the supplier quality point of contact for an assigned group of aluminum enclosure, hardware, and distributor suppliers.
Support APQP and PPAP activities for new parts and engineering changes.
Review PPAP submissions (process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, dimensional and material results) against AIAG requirements and Proterra drawings.
Coordinate supplier implementation of engineering changes (ECNs and ECOs) with Sustaining Engineering.
Lead resolution of supplier nonconformances: initiate NCRs, drive containment, and work with suppliers on root cause analysis and corrective action using 8D and other structured problem-solving tools.
Spend time on the production floor with Plant Quality and Manufacturing to see problems firsthand, sort and disposition suspect material, and represent Supplier Quality in MRB.
Work with distributors to set clear quality and traceability expectations for the manufacturers behind them, recognizing that alternate sources are limited.
Make sure suppliers understand Proterra drawings, GD&T, and specifications, and resolve their questions promptly.
Track and report supplier performance (PPM, NCRs, on-time delivery, corrective action status) using Excel, Smartsheet, and Power BI.
Support supplier audits and process reviews, including on-site visits to supplier facilities.
Collect and review regulatory compliance and product carbon footprint data submitted with PPAP.
Contribute to process improvement and automation projects that make supplier quality work faster and more consistent, including building tools and dashboards.
Support cross-functional investigations of production and field issues tied to purchased parts.