Senior Group Leader, Manufacturing Quality Engineering

About Slate

Slate is dedicated to building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize, and love. As part of our commitment to reindustrialization, Slate operates here in the USA. Our vehicles reflect the DIY and customization spirit, giving customers control over their appearance.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Slate is seeking a Senior Group Leader – Manufacturing Quality Engineer. This role is crucial for leading, integrating, and developing a team of Quality Engineers across various manufacturing and vehicle systems. The role ensures strong alignment of Slate’s quality strategy, supports product and plant launches, and drives consistent execution of the Quality Management System (QMS).

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Leadership & Strategy: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, cross-functional Manufacturing Quality Engineering organization. Define and execute the manufacturing quality strategy aligned with company objectives, product roadmap, and launch timelines. Serve as the primary escalation point for manufacturing quality risks, systemic issues, and cross-functional quality concerns. Champion a preventative, data-driven quality culture across all manufacturing operations.
• Making Quality Ready: Ensure quality readiness for new product, process, and plant launches, including risk identification and mitigation. Partner with Manufacturing and Engineering to ensure robust process capability and control. Drive containment, root cause analysis, and permanent corrective actions for quality issues impacting production or customers.
• Quality Systems & Compliance: Ensure consistent application of automotive quality standards, methodologies, and regulatory requirements. Maintain compliance with IATF 16949 and applicable regulatory and safety standards. Lead audits, internal assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen the QMS.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, EHS, Program Management, and Leadership. Scope of Leadership: Oversees Quality Engineering Support For Manufacturing Quality Engineering – General Assembly, Body, Chassis & Propulsion, Manufacturing Quality Engineering – Coatings, E-Coat, and Sealing, Bonding & Adhesives Quality Engineering, Powertrain, Energy & Drive Systems Quality Engineering, Electrical / Electronic & Software (EE/SW) Quality Engineering, Regulatory & Compliance Quality Engineering, Problem Solving & Quality Training Programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education & Experience: 12+ years related experience with Bachelor's degree, 8 years with Master's degree, 5 years with PhD or equivalent experience. Demonstrated experience leading large, multidisciplinary quality engineering organizations. Proven support of vehicle, system, or manufacturing plant launches.
• Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of automotive quality systems and tools, including: IATF 16949, APQP / PPAP, DFMEA / PFMEA, MSAs, SPC, structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, A3, DMAIC).
• Leadership Competencies: Strong judgement, executive-level communication, and decision-making skills. Ability to balance technical detail with business priorities. Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, start-up or transformational manufacturing environment. Proven ability to influence without authority and drive alignment across functions.

SALARY RANGE

The compensation for this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organizational factors. Base Pay Range (Annual): $123,339.00 - $185,009.00 USD Annual

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

We want to work with people that reflect the communities in which we operate. Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures.