Quality Engineer, Energy

About Ford Energy

Ford Energy is a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company dedicated to accelerating US energy independence. Leveraging Ford’s century of manufacturing excellence and world-class battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid-scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Key Responsibilities

• Greenfield Quality Excellence & Manufacturing Systems
• Apply engineering principles and analytical techniques to drive continuous improvement in automated battery manufacturing processes.
• Play an integral part in the Launch process by establishing and monitoring 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 the production process adheres to strict guidelines, specific process standards, and environmental/quality compliance (including ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and IATF 16949).
• Support efficiency planning to ensure workstations are properly set up with quality risks and failure modes (PFMEA) proactively identified and addressed.
• Leadership & Culture
• Develop "Leaders as Teachers": Function as the leader and subject matter expert for your specified section of the production line. Coordinate activities and drive improvements to achieve plant KPIs.
• Embrace the Gemba Philosophy: Regularly engage on the production floor to act as the team leader in resolving assembly-related concerns and driving lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Remove Barriers: Lead variability reduction, lean manufacturing best practices, and the development of solutions for throughput constraints.
• Champion Transparency: Work cross-functionally with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Suppliers.
• 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 robust change management leadership, ensuring all process, equipment, and product modifications are executed with zero impact on quality integrity.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Technical Knowledge:
• 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.
• Startup Experience: Demonstrated ability to support and launch programs with a results-oriented mindset and strong project management skills.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, or related field).
• Experience: 0-3+ years of manufacturing process or quality engineering experience in an automated manufacturing facility.
• Capabilities for Success:
• Resilient Leader: Emotionally intelligent, 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.
• Data-Driven Problem Solver: Strong analytical capability, utilizing statistical tools, data visualization, and failure mode avoidance principles.
• Integrity-Focused: Commitment to upholding the highest quality standards, ensuring product safety, reliability, or compliance.
• Flexibility: Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation, including flexibility to work across shifts, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate.

Even better, you may have

• Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA.
• 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.
• Strategic Visionary: Able to translate evolving quality needs into actionable long-term continuous improvement strategies.
• Decisive Under Pressure: Ability to make rapid, data-driven quality decisions during facility constraints or critical equipment failures.
• Adaptability: Resilience to lead through ambiguity of a new site startup, supporting a 24/7 operation including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.