Incoming Supplier Quality Engineering Specialist, BlueOval Battery Park Michigan
We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters. Ford’s legacy of innovation is about to reach new heights. Imagine being on the ground floor of something truly extraordinary. At BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, we’re not just assembling battery systems; we’re leading a transformation. As a key member of our start-up team, you’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to launch a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility from the ground up. Imagine: you, at the forefront of the electrification movement, helping to bring the next generation of vehicles to driveways, job sites and highways everywhere. At BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, you will • use your entrepreneurial skills and team mindset to come up with data-driven solutions • build and lead an agile team to deliver the advanced technology that drives the future • create a culture of trust, encourage diversity of thought and foster leadership in others • be part of the historic transformation of the automotive industry. In this position The Incoming Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is the primary technical interface between the BOBM Battery Pack Assembly plant and its supply base. This role is responsible for ensuring that all incoming components meet stringent Ford Engineering Specifications (ES) and print requirements. The SQE leads the investigation into supplier-related production disruptions, manages immediate containment and chargebacks, and drives suppliers toward robust 8D closure to protect the plant’s First Time Through (FTT) and customer quality. What you'll do 1. Supplier Issue Management & Containment Production Protection: Lead investigations into supplier parts impacting production areas; execute immediate containment of suspect material. Corrective Actions: Establish Permanent Corrective Actions (PCAs) and strictly track implementation timing. 8D Leadership: Lead supplier teams through the 8D process, ensuring root cause identification and closure to prevent recurrence. Sorting Oversight: Manage and provide oversight for all on-site or third-party supplier sorting activities. Financial Accountability: Initiate and manage supplier chargebacks (NORs) when applicable for non-conforming material and labor. 2. Tracking, Reporting & Communication Tracklite Management: Distribute weekly Battery Pack Issue tracking notifications to each supplier via Tracklite. Meeting Cadence: Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams on prolonged supplier issues through established meeting cadences. Real-Time Feedback: Provide immediate quality issue feedback to base departments and plant leadership. TDM Standards: Attend and contribute to all Daily, Weekly, and Bi-Weekly team meetings per Time and Data Management (TDM) Standards. 3. Launch, Audit & Compliance Launch Support: Lead and support launch activities for new battery programs, ensuring supplier readiness and PPAP compliance. Auditing: Support all internal and external audits, including ISO 9001/IATF 16949 and "Fresh Eyes" reviews. PD Escalation: Identify and escalate design or system-level issues to Product Development (PD) when parts meet print/ES but fail to function in the assembly. Corporate Standards: Adhere to all Corporate Standards, ensuring timing, budget, and FTT capability targets are met. 4. Continuous Improvement & Governance Six Sigma: Deliver a minimum of two (2) Six Sigma projects per year focused on cost reduction or quality improvement. Review Teams: Drive issue resolution as a key member of the weekly Product Review Team (PRT) and the monthly Plant Quality Review (PQR). Proactive Quality: Assist in supplier quality investigations and drive process/standard adherence across the supply chain. You'll have Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial preferred). 3–5 years of experience in Supplier Quality or Manufacturing Quality. Even better, you may have Master's degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial preferred). Demonstrated experience with battery technologies, specifically battery cells (Li-ion, LiFePO4, etc.), modules, and full battery pack assembly processes. Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and Control Plans. Proven ability to lead 8D Root Cause Analysis and manage complex containment scenarios. Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment (Automotive or Battery experience highly preferred). Technical Skills & Ford Systems Knowledge: Systems Proficiency: Familiarity with Tracklite, TDM, and Ford Quality reporting systems. Analytical: Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and Engineering Specifications (ES). Six Sigma: Ability to achieve Black Belt certification and execute data-driven projects. Auditing: Knowledge of ISO/IATF 16949 standards and Fresh Eyes audit protocols. Soft Skills: Urgency: Ability to work in a high-pressure production environment requiring immediate decision-making. Conflict Resolution: Strong negotiation skills for managing supplier chargebacks and accountability. Collaboration: Ability to lead cross-functional teams (Production, MP&L, PD, and Suppliers) to achieve zero-defect targets. Six Sigma Black Belt certification, or ASQ certification (CQE). Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., Minitab, JMP). You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply! As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including: • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases • Tuition assistance • Established and active employee resource groups • Paid time off for individual and team community service • A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day • Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. This position is a range of salary grades 6-8 and ranges from $74,300-$166,200. Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value. For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660. LI-Onsite LI-AR3
