Engineer, Supplier Quality - Suspension

What you’ll do

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

• Support supplier quality planning and execution of manufacturing, assembly techniques and quality control processes from the advanced development phase to mass production using APQP and VDA quality management processes. 
• Support all quality performance and functional standards, to ensure all vehicle activities are met in the supply chain to meet Customer satisfaction. 
• Provide leadership at Suppliers to ensure Scout’s Quality expectations are met and that suppliers can meet the industrialization related activities on time with the Supplier Quality team and escalate when unable. 
• Responsible for proactive and reactive containment at the suppliers. 
• Responsible to review and participate in approval of necessary boundary samples, appearance catalogs, etc. 
• Responsible to ensure change management occurs and is identified properly, and proactively for product architecture requests. 
• Responsible for Supplier PPAPs and ongoing activities within the supply chain from development to series production. 
• Work as a partner with the Supply chain to ensure escalations of issues are raised and resolutions are resolved in a timely manner.  
• Lead supplier improvements in cost, quality, and manufacturability. 
• Facilitate understanding of technical requirements between Suppliers with Scout Purchasing, Quality, and Design teams to always ensure proper transparency and communication. 
• Responsible for supplier audits and corrective actions to ensure their ability to meet part performance, delivery, and reliability expectations. 
• Collaborate with Scout’s Design, Quality, and Manufacturing to determine the ideal performance specifications and supplier metrics. 
•  Accountable for ongoing monitoring of supplier manufacturing process development, launch readiness for new products, and design changes 
•  Responsible for driving continuous improvement activities utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles. 
• Ensure suppliers have exceptionally robust processes and procedures to promote mass industrialization through efficient and seamless production of high-quality products. 
• Validate supplier corrective actions involving design and/or process changes to ensure they are capable and robust using the read-across methodology for similar manufacturing lines and/or suppliers. 
• Facilitate new or alternative materials that will positively impact design robustness, quality, manufacturability, or cost reduction;  
• Participate in supplier reviews including new suppliers and design for manufacturability reviews. 
• Support/lead suppliers' inefficient use of best methods of manufacturing, testing, and gauging, poke-yokes, and correct tools or assembly equipment to use 
• Drive Quality improvements with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to ensure Quality KPIs are met and drive to exceed expectations.  
• Support the planning, execution, and evaluation of root cause analysis to ensure high quality of Scout production vehicles through fast response methodologies.  
• Lead, participate, and drive Scout’s Quality expectations as required to ensure KPIs are met.  
• Act with dignity and respect on behalf of Scout when at a supplier.   
• Work to mitigate warranty claims with suppliers to drive closure and resolution of issues with the cross-functional group. 
• Work cross-functionally with other departments within Scout. 
• Support NCR resolution. 
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers, acting as the primary point of contact for quality-related concerns, issues, and improvements. 
• Ensure that suspension components (e.g., shock absorbers, struts, coil springs) meet both internal and external specifications, including regulatory requirements, industry standards, and customer expectations. 
• Conduct regular audits, assessments, and evaluations of suppliers’ processes and systems to ensure compliance with quality standards and continuous improvement. 
• Lead and manage root cause investigations for quality issues, facilitating corrective actions with suppliers and monitoring effectiveness to prevent recurrence. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing) to identify opportunities for process optimization and quality improvements in the supply chain. 
• Evaluate and qualify new suppliers based on their capabilities to meet quality and performance criteria for suspension components. 
• Oversee the testing and validation of suspension components to ensure they perform to specifications and meet durability and safety requirements. 
• Develop and maintain quality documentation, including inspection plans, quality records, and reports related to suspension parts and processes. 
• Ensure adherence to industry standards (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.3) and regulatory requirements, including maintaining records for audits and inspections. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in Columbia, South Carolina.
• This role requires full time in-office attendance, with regular in-person meetings and events. 
• Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.
• Ability to travel 40-70% of the time (May entail international travel, passport required)

What you’ll bring 

We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical/vehicle engineering, industrial engineering, or related field; candidates with 10+ related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of experience in automotive drive systems or powertrain engineering/production/and or product quality in a SQE capacity. 
• Very good technical understanding and sound specialist knowledge of vehicle development, vehicle production and supply chain management.  
• Excellent operations experience and a very good understanding of the vehicle assembly/ functionality. 
• Great written and verbal communication skills.  
• Sound knowledge of quality management and methodologies.  
• Experience in Quality Systems a plus: PPAP/APQP/ VDA processes; In-depth knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and inspection. 
• VDA Auditing Experience preferred. 
• Understanding of safety requirements  
• Understanding of IATF, VDA, ISO, DIN, and regulatory requirements  
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, a high level of assertiveness as well as entrepreneurial thinking and goal- and result-oriented decision-making skills 
• Certification in AIAG Core Tools- MSA, APQP, FMEA, Control Plans, PPAP 
• Leadership and team management abilities, with a track record of building and leading high-performing teams 
• Proven results and ability to direct supplier activities at the management level to ensure suppliers can meet customer requirements and expectations. 
• Proven ability to execute project management techniques. 
• Strong technical writing ability using SPC and data analysis as well as an ability to explain complex issues in a concise and plain manner. 

What you'll gain

The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up.  This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation.  In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:

• Competitive insurance including:
  • Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
• 401(k) program with:
  • An employer match and immediate vesting
• Generous Paid Time Off including:
  • 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
  • 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
  • Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
  • Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave

Pay Transparency

This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.

Initial base salary range = $95,000.00 - $120,000.00 

Internal leveling code: IC9