Supplier Development Engineer

Responsibilities

• Lead technical selection, qualification, and development of suppliers for battery raw materials, cell components, and contract manufacturing partners
• Drive supplier industrialization from initial process assessment through pilot, qualification, and production ramp, ensuring readiness for volume manufacturing
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing flows, process capability, capacity, and expansion plans to identify constraints, mitigate risk, and support long-term scaling
• Partner with suppliers to optimize process performance, yield, quality controls, and manufacturability across material and cell production operations
• Establish and approve appropriate quality planning deliverables, including APQP/PPAP elements, control plans, PFMEA, SPC, MSA, and process validation activities
• Support implementation and improvement of IQC, IPQC, and OQC systems at supplier sites to ensure robust incoming and in-process quality
• Drive on-site supplier audits focused on technical capability, manufacturing discipline, quality systems, and production readiness
• Lead failure analysis and corrective action with suppliers using structured methods such as 8D, root cause analysis, and verification of corrective/preventive actions
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, quality, operations, and supply chain teams to align supplier capability with product requirements, design intent, and launch milestones
• Serve as the primary technical interface to supplier engineering and quality teams, providing clear communication of risks, actions, and progress to internal stakeholders

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience taking products or processes from NPI through qualification and ramp to volume production with external suppliers or contract manufacturers
• Strong understanding of battery cell manufacturing processes (electrode coating, cell assembly, formation) or key battery components (anode/cathode materials, separators, electrolytes)
• Working knowledge of quality and process control tools, including PFMEA, control plans, SPC, MSA/GRR, Cpk, DOE, and structured problem solving
• Ability to analyze manufacturing and test data, draw sound technical conclusions, and drive actionable improvement plans with suppliers
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external partners
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with battery failure analysis, metrology, and qualification testing is preferred
• Korean language capability is a plus