Quality Engineer, Energy

About the Role

At Ford Energy, a newly formed subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, you will be at the forefront of transforming the energy systems industry. Leveraging Ford’s manufacturing excellence and battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid-scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems. This role is based at our Glendale, Kentucky battery park.

Key Responsibilities

• Greenfield Quality Excellence & Manufacturing Systems
• Apply engineering principles and analytical techniques to drive continuous improvement in automated battery manufacturing processes.
• Establish and monitor quality target levels at the workstation level for each build phase to validate workstation readiness.
• Manage and direct Statistical Process Control (SPC) activities, utilizing control charts, data collection, and GD&T to minimize manufacturing variation.
• Conduct process audits to ensure adherence to strict guidelines, specific process standards, and environmental/quality compliance (including ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and IATF 16949).
• Support efficiency planning, proactively identifying and addressing quality risks and failure modes (PFMEA).
• Leadership & Culture
• Serve as the subject matter expert for a specified section of the production line, coordinating activities and driving improvements to achieve plant KPIs.
• Engage on the production floor to resolve assembly-related concerns and drive lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Lead variability reduction, lean manufacturing best practices, and the development of solutions for throughput constraints.
• Work cross-functionally with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Suppliers.
• Support a 24/7 manufacturing operation, with flexibility to work across shifts, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate.
• Strategic Management & Integrity
• Develop relevant KPIs and data visualizations to enable a clear, real-time understanding of actual vs. expected quality and process performance.
• Lead the development of interim and permanent corrective actions to resolve quality and production issues using 8D methodology and structured problem-solving tools.
• Provide change management leadership, ensuring all process, equipment, and product modifications are executed with zero impact on quality integrity.

Qualifications

• Requirements & Tech Stack
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, or related field).
• 0-3+ years of manufacturing process or quality engineering experience in an automated manufacturing facility.
• Capabilities For Success
• Resilient Leader: Emotionally intelligent professional capable of remaining calm, focused, and decisive in high-pressure startup situations with tight timing constraints.
• Collaborative Influencer: Proven ability to build trust, work effectively as part of a team, and coordinate cross-functionally to resolve complex assembly-related concerns.
• Data-Driven Problem Solver: Strong analytical capability, utilizing statistical tools, data visualization, and failure mode avoidance principles to drive continuous improvement.
• Integrity-Focused: Commitment to upholding the highest quality standards, ensuring manufacturing speed does not compromise product safety, reliability, or compliance.
• Additional Experience (Even Better)
• Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA.
• Working knowledge of statistics (control charts, data collection, GD&T).
• Working knowledge of PFMEA.
• 3D CAD review abilities (3D Experience, CATIA, or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of industrial controls and automation.
• Demonstrated ability to support and launch programs with a results-oriented mindset and strong project management skills.
• Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies, including vision/camera systems, error-proofing (Poka-yoke) systems, and/or robotics.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification (DMAIC, DMADV/DFSS).
• Expertise in 8D, 5-Why, FMEA, PPAP, DOEs, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Demonstrated skills in print reading, tool layouts, gauging, and ergonomic analysis.
• Prior experience in a facility start-up or new equipment commissioning.
• Ability to translate evolving quality needs into actionable long-term continuous improvement strategies.
• Ability to make rapid, data-driven quality decisions during facility constraints or critical equipment failures.
• Resilience to lead through the ambiguity of a new site startup, supporting a 24/7 operation including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.