Engineer Sr,Supplier Quality

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer owns and drives the technical rigor and effectiveness of the supplier quality program for our battery energy storage systems (BESS) — spanning all aspects of the BESS, such as the modules, packs, battery management systems (BMS), thermal management, enclosures, and power conversion components. This role is the technical authority linking engineering, manufacturing, and the global supply base, ensuring supplier materials and processes meet safety, performance, and reliability requirements for grid-scale and behind-the-meter energy storage. The engineer drives root cause resolution, qualification rigor, and continuous improvement across a supply chain where safety and long-term degradation performance are mission critical.

Job Responsibilities:

• Own the technical strategy and rigor of the supplier quality program both for the BESS and BOS (balance-of-system) suppliers, setting inspection criteria, sampling plans, and acceptance methods

• Lead supplier qualification and PPAP/APQP (or equivalent) for new parts, designs, and manufacturing process changes, including first-article and pilot-run approval

• Drive root cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, fishbone) for supplier-related nonconformances and verify corrective action effectiveness

• Conduct and lead supplier audits and process capability assessments at manufacturing sites; develop supplier scorecards and drive improvement plans

• Partner with engineering to define incoming inspection requirements, critical-to-quality (CTQ) characteristics, and acceptance criteria for all supplied parts or services

• Review and approve supplier PPAPs, control plans, FMEAs, and battery test reports (cycle life, abuse/safety, thermal runaway propagation, environmental)

• Ensure supplier compliance with battery safety and transport standards, including UL 1973, UL 9540/9540A, IEC 62619, IEC 63056, UN 38.3, and applicable UL 1642/IEC 62133 cell-level requirements

• Lead containment and disposition decisions for nonconforming supplier material (MRB), including cell/pack quarantine and safe-handling protocols

• Establish statistical process control (SPC) requirements and monitor supplier process and cell performance trends (capacity, impedance, IR, yield) over time

• Support supplier corrective action tied to field returns, warranty claims, and degradation/safety incident investigations

• Mentor quality engineers and build technical capability within the SQE team

• Present quality metrics, risk assessments, and improvement roadmaps to leadership and key customers

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Industrial Engineering, or related technical field (advanced degree a plus)

• 6+ years of experience in supplier quality, quality engineering, or manufacturing quality, with direct supplier-facing responsibility; experience with lithium-ion cells, battery packs, or energy storage systems strongly preferred

• Demonstrated expertise in APQP/PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, and root cause/corrective action methodologies

• Working knowledge of battery cell chemistry, construction (cylindrical, prismatic, pouch), and failure modes (thermal runaway, capacity fade, internal short circuit)

• Familiarity with battery safety and performance standards: UL 1973, UL 9540A, IEC 62619, IEC 62620, UN 38.3, UN/DOT transport requirements, and relevant grid-interconnection or NFPA 855 considerations

• Experience auditing suppliers against ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or ISO 9001-based battery manufacturing quality systems

• Strong working knowledge of GD&T, mechanical/electrical drawing interpretation, and dimensional and electrical inspection methods (capacity, impedance, OCV, insulation resistance)

• Familiarity with statistical tools and quality software (Minitab, QMS platforms, SPC systems) and battery test data analysis

• Excellent cross-functional communication skills; able to influence suppliers and internal stakeholders without direct authority

• ASQ certification (CQE, CSQP) or Six Sigma Black/Green Belt preferred

Skills/Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of supplier quality management systems, quality planning, and manufacturing process controls.

• Expert understanding of APQP, PPAP, Control Plans, PFMEA/DFMEA, MSA, SPC, and corrective action methodologies.

• Strong knowledge of lithium-ion battery technologies, battery management systems (BMS), energy storage systems (ESS/BESS), and associated manufacturing processes.

• Ability to evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities, process controls, and quality systems to ensure compliance with product and customer requirements.

• Proficiency in interpreting mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, specifications, GD&T, and inspection requirements.

• Experience with dimensional, electrical, and functional inspection methods and validation testing.

• Strong understanding of reliability, safety, risk assessment, and failure analysis methodologies

Travel

• Local Travel: 25 – 40% domestic travel to supplier and cell/pack manufacturing sites  

Working Conditions

• Office Environment - Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.  Required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. May be required to exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

• Factory - The worker may be subject to hazards. Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, vibration, moving vehicles, electrical current, exposure to temperature changes or exposure to chemicals.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, odors, dust, mists, and gases. The noise level in the work environment can be loud. Required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes. Machinery operation requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to eye safety glasses, hearing protectors, work boots, and lab coats. May be required to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.