Staff Supplier Industrialization Engineer – Electric Motors

About the role

Zipline is seeking a practical problem solver to join our team. This role involves leading the industrialization of electric motors used in autonomous drone systems, partnering with various departments to ensure scalable, reliable, and cost-effective production.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification, development, and industrialization for BLDC motors, servo motors, geared motors, actuators, and drone propulsion systems.
• Own supplier readiness from prototype builds through production ramp.
• Assess supplier manufacturing capability, process maturity, quality systems, and capacity.
• Lead APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, FAI, MSA, SPC, and process validation activities.
• Drive DFM/DFA reviews with engineering and suppliers focusing on rotor/stator design, magnets, winding, bearings, balancing, thermal performance, and manufacturing robustness.
• Lead supplier recovery activities and executive escalations.
• Drive improvements in cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and reliability.
• Develop should-cost models and support sourcing strategies.
• Lead manufacturing readiness for design changes, new product introductions, and manufacturing transfers.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Procurement, and Operations to ensure successful product launches.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and supplier performance management.

Requirements

• 8+ years of Supplier Industrialization, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, NPI, or Operations Engineering experience.
• Experience launching high-volume electric motors or electromechanical products.
• Strong understanding of BLDC motors, servo motors, rotor/stator manufacturing, magnets, winding, bearings, and automated assembly.
• Experience with global manufacturing partners.
• Knowledge of AS9100, ISO9001, and IATF16949 quality systems.
• Hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, and production validation.
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50% throughout Japan and Southeast Asia.

Qualifications

• Business proficiency in Japanese strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting aerospace, robotics, automotive, industrial automation, or high reliability products.
• Led Six Sigma certification.
• Direct experience with design, fabrication, assembly, or manufacturing motor and/or motor subcomponents.

Skills

• Supplier Industrialization
• Supplier Quality
• Manufacturing Engineering
• NPI (New Product Introduction)
• Operations Engineering

Benefits

Major bonuses include business proficiency in Japanese, experience supporting aerospace, robotics, automotive, industrial automation, or high reliability products, Lean Six Sigma certification, and direct experience with design, fabrication, assembly, or manufacturing motor and/or motor subcomponents.

Pay

The starting cash range for this role is $178,900 - $268,300. Final cash pay depends on various factors including experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package may also include equity compensation, discretionary annual or performance bonuses, sales incentives, benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and more.

Schedule

This role requires travel of approximately 50% of the time throughout Japan and Southeast Asia to support strategic manufacturing partners.