Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - Powertrain

Role Summary

The Powertrain HV Battery Supplier Quality Engineer will play a key role in ensuring world-class performance of the Zoox prototype and production battery supply base, and drive continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, driven, energetic, detailed, and team-oriented, with a deep understanding of energy storage systems and high-voltage manufacturing.

• Works with Powertrain Engineering and Strategic Sourcing to select appropriate battery cell, module, and pack suppliers by conducting detailed process assessments and VDA 6.3 audits.
• Travel 30% of time
• Assess the manufacturability of new HV battery designs (including cell integration, thermal interface materials, busbars, and BMS systems) and assist suppliers with improving manufacturability and scaling production.
• Manage product and process development with battery suppliers from prototype through end-of-line (EOL) testing.
• Review prototype and production part quality document submissions (PPAP) from suppliers, ensuring adherence to strict HV safety and performance tolerances.
• Issue corrective action requests (8D) to suppliers regarding battery degradation, thermal runaway risks, or capacity anomalies, and provide support with resolution.
• Provide support to Manufacturing, Quality, and Powertrain Engineering regarding analysis and disposition of suspect HV supplier material.
• Drive continuous improvement throughout the battery supply base using quality and lean manufacturing tools to improve yield and cycle times.
• Ensure supplier compliance with safe handling, storage, and transport of high-voltage systems and lithium-ion batteries.
• Improve Zoox supplier quality processes such as assessments, supplier management, part approval, and corrective actions

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechatronics or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent engineering degree
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in Quality, Supplier Quality, or Manufacturing, in the automotive, aviation, or medical device industries
• Experience in New Product Introduction (NPI) - Experience creating and improving quality systems
• Experience in manufacturing processes such as laser welding, ultrasonic welding, wire bonding, thermal potting/dispensing, and EOL functional testing or related HV systems.
• Experience using problem-solving techniques such as Six-Sigma, 8-Discipline, Pareto Charts, Regression Analysis, ANOVA, DOE, Fish Bone Analysis, Red-X, Is / Is Not
• Experience using quality analysis and control tools such as Process Flow Diagrams, Process FMEAs, Process Control Plans, SPC, MSA, Process Capability
• Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
• Working knowledge of Quality Systems such as ISO 9000 and IATF 16949 - Certifications such as ASQ, Six Sigma Green Belt, or Six Sigma Black Belt
• Fully literate in Microsoft computer applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Bonus Qualifications

• Strong understanding of lithium-ion battery chemistry, failure modes, and battery management system (BMS) fundamentals.
• Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Familiarity with automotive and battery-specific standards (e.g., ISO 26262, UN 38.3, ECE R100, UL 2580, IEC 62660).
• High Voltage safety training/certification.
• Working knowledge of Quality Systems such as ISO 9000, IATF 16949, and VDA 6.3.
• Certifications such as ASQ, Six Sigma Green Belt, or Six Sigma Black Belt.