Senior Group Leader, Manufacturing Quality Engineering

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.

• 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.
• Manufacturing & Launch Support – 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 to align quality objectives across functions.
• Scope of Leadership – Oversee Quality Engineering support for the following domains:
  • General Assembly, Body, Chassis & Propulsion
  • Coatings, E‑Coat, and Sealing
  • Bonding & Adhesives
  • Powertrain, Energy & Drive Systems
  • Electrical / Electronic & Software (EE/SW)
  • Regulatory & Compliance
  • Problem Solving & Quality Training Programs

• 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, MSA, SPC and 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.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmatively 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. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures.