SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 120,000 - 180,000 / annual
Harbinger is an American commercial electric vehicle (EV) company developing a first-of-its-kind EV platform for medium-duty vehicles and hybrids. The company is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to establish and maintain quality standards across safety systems, structural frames, and thermal components.
You will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Suppliers, Purchasing, and Manufacturing teams to define and implement supplier quality engineering processes and drive continuous improvement. Key responsibilities include:
• Develop and implement supplier quality standards, supplier quality portal, and processes tailored to chassis/frame structures, functional safety components, and thermal management systems.
• Inspect and test materials, sub-assemblies, and finished components (structural frame weldments, extrusions, castings, heat exchangers, pumps, coolant lines, airbags, seatbelts, crash sensors) to ensure safety and performance specifications are met.
• Conduct supplier assessments and evaluations to ensure suppliers meet stringent automotive safety standards, structural integrity compliance, and leak-tightness specifications.
• Plan and conduct supplier audits to assess quality systems, welding/joining processes, heat treatment, leak testing methods, and technical capabilities.
• Participate in supplier selection by providing quality-related, structural integrity, and regulatory compliance input.
• Lead weekly calls with suppliers to ensure frame weldments, safety modules, and thermal components meet quality, safety, and timing requirements.
• Monitor and report on supplier performance metrics (defect rates, structural test yields, leak test pass rates, delivery times, specification compliance).
• Identify improvement areas and work with suppliers to implement root cause analysis and corrective actions (8D, 5-Why).
• Investigate and resolve quality issues related to material defects, weld integrity, structural tolerances, safety component traceability, and thermal fluid leakage.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives including lean manufacturing practices, non-destructive testing (NDT), automated leak checks, and statistical process controls.
• Maintain accurate records of supplier quality performance, structural test reports, leak rate certifications, audits, and corrective actions.
• Ensure supplier compliance with industry standards, safety regulations (FMVSS, ISO 26262 functional safety basics), and company policies.
• Lead supplier audits, APQP, PPAP, Gauge R&R, non-destructive validation, leak testing validation, and safe launch activities.
• Participate in Design for Manufacturability/Assembly (DFM/DFA) and risk mitigation reviews (DFMEA/PFMEA) with design engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Lead Material Review Board (MRB) meetings and act as quality representative for engineering change control board regarding frames, structural components, safety assemblies, and thermal hardware.
• Travel domestically and internationally up to 30–50% as needed.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or similar technical field (required).
• 3–7 years of experience in manufacturing quality or supplier quality engineering in automotive, commercial vehicle, EV, or aerospace industries.
• Hands-on experience or familiarity with structural frame manufacturing (tubing, high-strength steel, aluminum extrusions, stampings, welding/brazing), thermal systems (heat exchangers, chillers, fluid lines, pressure testing, leak detection), or occupant safety components (airbags, seatbelts, crash sensors).
• ASQ Certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, or higher (preferred).
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001:2018 or IATF 16949 standards (strongly desired).
• Understanding of core quality tools: Quality Management Systems, Supplier/Internal Audits, APQP, SPC, PPAP, FMEA (DFMEA/PFMEA), and MSA.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent project management skills with ability to manage multiple complex supplier projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of fabrication and manufacturing processes including structural welding (MIG/TIG/Robotic), metal stamping, castings, extrusions, plastic molding, vacuum brazing, and fluid seal/leak testing methodologies.
• Proven experience in quality engineering role within automotive or commercial vehicle production environment.
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance methodologies, mechanical/thermal test validation, structural inspection techniques, and root cause analysis tools.
• Experience with supplier quality management, including auditing suppliers of safety-critical structural or fluid-handling components.
• Proficiency in quality management systems (QMS) and relevant software applications.
