Sr. Engineer, Supplier Quality Assurance - Batteries

Key Responsibilities:

1. Conduct regular visits to suppliers to oversee their manufacturing processes and ensure on-site quality assurance.

2. Collaborate with suppliers to implement robust quality systems, drive continuous improvement, and enhance the quality of delivered products.

3. Perform routine supplier quality audits to verify compliance with Fluence’s standards and industry best practices in energy storage manufacturing.

4. Work with suppliers to establish corrective and preventive action plans (CAPA) to address and resolve quality issues, supporting long-term improvement.

5. Monitor supplier performance, assess risks, and ensure consistent product quality across all regions.

6. Support New Product Introduction (NPI) initiatives by verifying supplier readiness during development and launch phases.

7. Manage qualification and validation processes for new suppliers and products, ensuring all components satisfy requirements before production integration.

8. Serve as the main point of contact for suppliers, fostering long-term relationships and continuous quality improvement.

9. Be available for domestic and international travel more than 50% of the time.

Key Deliverables:

• Supplier Production Quality Reports – Document site visits, assess production and final product quality, and confirm all requirements are met.
• Continuous Improvement Reports – Track supplier quality and delivery issues, document resolutions for non-conformances, and highlighting trends and potential improvement areas.
• CAPA/8D Reports – Follow-up with supplier to provide well documented root cause analysis (RCA) and 8D reports for systemic quality issues.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in Supplier Quality or Quality Engineering within Battery manufacturing and quality control processes.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee supplier manufacturing quality, improve performance, and manage quality issues in demanding environments.
• Strong understanding of quality systems such as APQP, PPAP, 8D, RCCA, and FMEA for energy storage components.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence suppliers and collaborate with cross-functional teams globally.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and managing supplier quality throughout the product lifecycle.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in supplier risk management and capability assessments within the energy storage industry; technical experience with battery cells, modules, or BMS is a plus.
• Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) or equivalent certification.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 quality management systems, especially in battery or energy storage manufacturing.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent is advantageous.