What are the responsibilities and job description for the Group Leader, Incoming Quality position at Slate Auto?
About Slate
At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.
| WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Incoming Quality Engineer – Group Leader is responsible for leading all incoming quality activities across Slate manufacturing in Warsaw Indiana. This role owns supplier incoming quality, inspection processes, containment, and continuous improvement, while also leading and developing a team of quality technicians. The position interfaces with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and Operations to ensure incoming materials meet requirements and support safe, efficient production launches and sustained operations.
| WHAT YOU GET TO DO
At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.
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. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at
slate-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.
At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.
| WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Incoming Quality Engineer – Group Leader is responsible for leading all incoming quality activities across Slate manufacturing in Warsaw Indiana. This role owns supplier incoming quality, inspection processes, containment, and continuous improvement, while also leading and developing a team of quality technicians. The position interfaces with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and Operations to ensure incoming materials meet requirements and support safe, efficient production launches and sustained operations.
| WHAT YOU GET TO DO
- Lead and manage incoming quality inspection activities for all supplied components and materials across Slate manufacturing.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of quality technicians and team leaders, ensuring consistent execution of incoming quality standards.
- Develop, implement, and maintain incoming inspection procedures, control plans, and acceptance criteria.
- Serve as the primary incoming quality interface to all manufacturing areas, supporting production, launches, and daily operations.
- Collaborate with suppliers to define quality expectations, ensure compliance to specifications, and drive corrective actions.
- Analyze incoming quality data, identify trends, and lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions.
- Own containment of nonconforming incoming material, including segregation, documentation, supplier communication, and disposition (rework, return, scrap).
- Support new product and process launches by validating incoming parts, PPAP readiness, and production release.
- Coordinate and support incoming and process audits to applicable standards (IATF 16949, AIAG, internal requirements).
- Maintain quality documentation including inspection records, supplier quality reports, and control plans.
- Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, and Operations to resolve quality issues and improve robustness.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on incoming quality, process capability, cost, and risk reduction.
- Provide technical guidance, training, and hands-on support to quality technicians and manufacturing teams.
- Ensure a safe, compliant work environment aligned with health and safety requirements.
- Perform additional duties as assigned in support of incoming and manufacturing quality.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field; equivalent technical experience may be considered.
- 5 years of experience in incoming, supplier, or manufacturing quality within an automotive or regulated manufacturing environment.
- Proven experience leading teams or acting in a group leader / supervisory capacity.
- Strong knowledge of incoming inspection, supplier quality management, and containment processes.
- Experience with automotive quality tools and standards (IATF 16949, AIAG, APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface across manufacturing, engineering, and suppliers.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up or launch environment.
- High integrity, ownership mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement.
- Experience with electric vehicle components or high-voltage systems.
- Six Sigma, ASQ, or other quality certifications.
- Experience supporting multi-site or cross-functional manufacturing operations.
- Background in supplier development or launch readiness.
At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.
- Safety First
- Delight Customers
- One Team
- Relentless Improvement
- Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
- Respectful Collaboration
- Positive Legacy
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. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at
slate-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.