Supplier Quality Engineer, Battery Cell

Position Summary

Our Next Energy (ONE) is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to support our Battery Cell Manufacturing supply base. This role owns supplier quality for raw materials used in cell production — including cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator, and foil suppliers — ensuring incoming material quality, driving supplier qualification, and resolving nonconformances in partnership with Engineering, Supply Chain & Procurement, and Manufacturing & Operations. The role administers ONE's supplier quality requirements and supports a zero-defect mindset across the supply base. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead supplier qualification and approval for raw materials (cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator, foils, and related materials). 
• Drive supplier corrective actions using the 8D methodology, including containment, root cause analysis, and corrective action closure. 
• Manage Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) using AIAG core tools. 
• Plan and conduct supplier risk, QMS, product, and process audits; maintain supplier scorecards tracking Quality and Delivery performance. 
• Develop and administer Safe Launch plans, including enhanced inspection controls and agreed exit criteria, to protect early production material. 
• Support material specification development and Special Characteristic agreement with R&D and Engineering; verify material certifications and lot traceability back to raw materials. 
• Ensure supplier measurement systems are capable and traceable and manage supplier process and material change notifications. 
• Partner with Supply Chain & Procurement on supplier risk assessment, new supplier onboarding, and sub-tier supplier management. 

Required Qualifications 

• 2 years of experience in supplier quality engineering or a closely related quality function. 
• Technical background in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline. 
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills (8D, 5-Why, fishbone, etc.). 
• Experience with AIAG core tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA). 
• Experience with raw material sourcing, supplier qualification, or incoming quality management. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain & Procurement, and Manufacturing & Operations. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Six Sigma experience (Green Belt or Black Belt level) or equivalent process improvement experience. 
• Experience in battery cell manufacturing or battery materials. 
• Working knowledge of cell chemistry and materials specifications. 
• Experience with APQP/PPAP processes. 

Core Competencies 

• Cross-functional collaboration — works effectively with Engineering, Supply Chain & Procurement, Manufacturing & Operations, and Quality. 
• Collaborative problem solving — takes a collaborative approach to problem solving and issue resolution with supply base. 
• Constructive feedback — gives and receives feedback calmly and professionally. 
• Problem-solving mindset — maintains a solution-oriented approach, especially under pressure. 
• Growth mindset — open to learning, coaching, and continuous improvement. 
• Clear written & verbal communication — conveys technical requirements unambiguously across a global supply base. 
• Diplomacy / conflict resolution — holds suppliers accountable on quality and cost while preserving the relationship. 
• Relationship building — develops long-term, partnership-based supplier relationships. 
• Active listening — surfaces root causes and supplier constraints accurately. 
• Ownership & follow-through — drives issues to closure on defined timelines. 
• Adaptability — comfortable with ambiguity and shifting priorities across multiple suppliers. 

Travel Requirements 

10–20% travel for domestic and/or international supplier site visits; may flex up or down based on program needs and timelines.