Manufacturing Quality Engineer, Joining & Regulatory

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.

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WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The Manufacturing Quality Engineer - Regulatory & Joining leads compliance, audits, and product-safety focused bonding processes at Slate Auto. This role owns regulatory alignment, bonding method development and validation (glass, glass-filled PP, urethane systems), and cross-functional problem solving. The engineer ensures adhesion/cohesion performance through robust testing (e.g., wet maps, knife tests) and drives a daily 5S and quality-first mindset across operations

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WHAT YOU GET TO DO:

Regulatory Compliance & Auditing

• Plan and execute internal audits against applicable government and industry requirements (e.g., FMVSS-related quality controls, EPA/FIFRA considerations for adhesives/sealants handling, OSHA/EHS).
• Interpret regulatory standards and translate into plant-level procedures, work instructions, and control plans.
• Maintain audit readiness: documentation control, traceability, training records, and CAPA follow-through.

Bonding Engineering (Glass, PP-GF, Urethane)

• Develop and validate bonding processes for laminated/tempered glass, glass-filled PP, and urethane bonding systems.
• Define and standardize surface prep, primers, cure parameters, open times, and environmental controls (temp/RH).
• Establish acceptance criteria and controls to ensure
  ** cohesive
  * * bond integrity vs. purely adhesive failure modes.

Test Methods & Verification

• Author and maintain methods such as wet maps, knife/peel tests, lap-shear, and coupon-level validation for bonding.
• Create incoming and in-process verification plans; implement SPC and reaction plans for drifts or out-of-spec results.
• Lead gauge R&R and MSA for bonding-related measurements and visual standards.

Problem Solving & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Facilitate structured problem solving (5-Why, Ishikawa, 8D) for bonding escapes and process variation.
• Write clear problem statements; define containment, root cause, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Coach production, maintenance, and supplier teams on defect prevention and robust process windows.
• Assist with manufacturing related recalls and maintain communication with Slate's Global product safety teams.

Quality Culture & KPIs

• Own daily 5S standards in bonding and inspection areas; sustain audit scorecards.
• Define and publish bonding quality KPIs (first pass yield, rework, adhesion failures, audit findings).
• Drive continuous improvement and standard work updates; present results in tier meetings

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WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent technical discipline (or equivalent experience)

Experience

• 3+ years in manufacturing quality, regulatory compliance, or process engineering.
• Hands-on experience with bonding processes (glass, PP-GF, urethane) and related test methods (wet maps, knife/peel).
• Auditing experience and strong familiarity with government/industry requirements; demonstrated CAPA leadership.
• Automotive experience (FMVSS context), IATF 16949/ISO 9001 knowledge. (preferred)
• Experience with supplier quality, incoming material validation, and adhesive supplier management. (preferred)

Skills

• Proficiency with ERP/MRP, SPC, MSA, and document control tools; strong analytical and communication skills.
• Power BI or data visualization for KPI reporting knowledge
• Excellent product and process assessment, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong teamwork, communication, assertiveness, and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Highest level of integrity and ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced start-up environment.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

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…