Senior Quality Engineer, Advanced Quality and QMS

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.

Position Overview:

This role combines advanced product quality and quality management system ownership. You will lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) from concept through launch control plans MSA capability studies and PPAP submission and customer approval and facilitate the FMEA process with Design Engineering owning the DFMEA and Manufacturing Engineering owning the parallel you will develop maintain and improve the Quality Management System (QMS) documentation control process standardization internal audits and audit readiness and system performance metrics to ensure full compliance with ISO 9001 and customer-specific requirements.

About the Role You will:

• Lead APQP deliverables across all PDP phases from program kickoff through PPAP approval and safe launch including control plans MSA/Gage R&R and process capability studies
• Serve as the FMEA subject-matter expert support Design and Manufacturing Engineering in DFMEA and PFMEA development advise on methodology and risk ranking and promote consistent FMEA practice across locations
• Compile and submit PPAP packages for customer approval including the A-10 Control Plan Checklist and APP-E Product Quality Planning form;
• Develop and release Prototype Pre-Launch Production and Safe Launch Control Plans aligned to each development phase gate
• Lead development implementation and closure of the Pre-Production and Production Safe Launch Plans
• Participate in design reviews special-characteristics reviews and engineering-change assessments; identify risks and drive mitigation actions across PMO phases
• Lead the customer-specific requirements self-assessment and assure compliance
• Developing and maintaining Quality Planning documentation such as Quality Technician work instructions Quality Acceptance Criteria and quality inspection lists for product characteristics
• Drive Development Issue closure and support overall launch readiness

Quality Management System and Audits

• Develop maintain and improve the QMS to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and customer-specific requirements
• Lead internal audits and support external and customer audits including schedule visibility and collection of outputs in the system of record
• Drive containment correction and risk assessment of audit findings and report QMS performance and audit trends to top management
• Own document control hierarchy revision impact and storage standards and expand the QMS to supporting functions
• Facilitate process mapping with cross-functional teams to standardize processes and remove non-value-add steps

Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement

• Lead structured problem solving (8D 5-Why Ishikawa) on launch and early-production issues
• Support root cause and verified corrective action for internal and external
• Analyze scrap rework warranty first-pass-yield and audit data to target improvement projects
• Apply SPC and error-proofing (poka-yoke) to control key characteristics and eliminate defect opportunities

Cross-Functional Leadership and Coaching

• Serve as the quality voice on program teams alongside design manufacturing supply chain and operations
• Coach engineers and technicians on the core tools and coordinate training resources for QMS-related programs
• Develop and deploy metrics that make QMS effectiveness launch quality and program risk visible
• Champion a culture of quality safety and excellence in all aspects of work
• Perform other duties as assigned by the manager

Your Experience Includes:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering (Mechanical Electrical Manufacturing or related); Masters preferred
• 5 years of advanced product quality new product introduction or quality management system experience in the automotive or heavy-vehicle industry (Tier 1 or OEM preferred)
• Demonstrated ownership of APQP and PPAP submissions through customer approval
• Hands-on expertise facilitating DFMEA/PFMEA and building Control Plans MSA/Gage R&R SPC and process capability studies
• Experience maintaining a QMS and leading internal audits corrective action and document control
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 and customer-specific requirements; IATF 16949 VDA 6.3 or ISO 14001 experience a plus
• Structured problem solving depth (8D 5-Why); Certified Lead Auditor (ISO/IATF) strongly preferred Six Sigma Green Belt or higher a plus
• Battery high-voltage or electrified powertrain product experience preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office QMS/PLM tools and statistical analysis software (Minitab Power BI Tableau)

Soft Skills

• Change leader who can influence culture and gain buy-in across the organization
• Strong communicator able to engage stakeholders at all levels
• Proactive problem-solver with a growth mindset and hands-on approach
• Highly organized and detail-oriented under pressure
• Passionate about contributing to a zero-emissions future

Proterras battery technology offers industry-leading energy density safety systems and durability. Proudly designed in Silicon Valley and assembled in Greer South Carolina Proterra batteries are the premier choice to electrify commercial vehicles ranging from buses and trucks to construction equipment and more. Proterra is building innovative battery technology to power a better more sustainable world.

Location: Greer South Carolina

Travel: 515%

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. There is no immigration sponsorship available for this role (ex: H1-B OPT CPT TN or any other employment sponsorship).

Proterra is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities to all Employees and applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability age genetic information veteran status pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law or ordinance. Proterra participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program (E-Verify).

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Required Experience:

Senior IC