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.

Slate is seeking a Senior Group Leader – Manufacturing Quality Engineer. This is a critical leadership role responsible for leading, integrating, and developing a highly technical, cross‑functional team of Quality Engineers across all manufacturing and vehicle systems. This includes Manufacturing Operations, Vehicle Systems, Powertrain & Energy, Body, Coatings, Bonding, EE/SW, Regulatory Compliance, and Problem Solving / Quality Training.

This role ensures strong alignment of Slate’s quality strategy across all manufacturing domains, supports successful product and plant launches, and drives consistent execution of Slate’s Quality Management System (QMS) and quality culture site‑wide.

The Senior Group Leader serves as the primary escalation point for manufacturing quality risks, provides both technical and organizational leadership, and partners closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, EHS, and Executive Leadership to deliver safe, compliant, and robust vehicles.

• 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.
• Champion a preventative, data‑driven quality culture across all manufacturing operations.

• 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.

• 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.

• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, EHS, Program Management, and Leadership.

The Group Leader Oversees Quality Engineering Support For

• Manufacturing Quality Engineering – General Assembly, Body, Chassis & Propulsion
• Manufacturing Quality Engineering – Coatings, E‑Coat, and Sealing
• Bonding & Adhesives Quality Engineering
• Powertrain, Energy & Drive Systems Quality Engineering
• Electrical / Electronic & Software (EE/SW) Quality Engineering
• Regulatory & Compliance Quality Engineering
• Problem Solving & Quality Training Programs

• 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.

• Strong working knowledge of automotive quality systems and tools, including:
• IATF 16949
• APQP / PPAP
• DFMEA / PFMEA
• MSA, SPC
• Structured problem‑solving methodologies (8D, A3, DMAIC)

• 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.

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start‑up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward.…