You will...

- Lead the internal APQP process, focusing on design maturity milestones and ensuring the transition from prototype to production (SOP).

- Work with Hardware Engineering on the Design PPAP deliverables, including Standards, Requirements, Changes, Design Documentation, DFMEAs. Identifying special characteristics (SCs/CCs), ensuring design risks are identified and managed.

- Partner with Hardware and Software Engineering to develop specialized End-of-Line (EOL) testers and calibration fixtures that validates the product design, supporting production assembly verification.

- Own the RCCA (Root Cause Corrective Action) process for system-level and field-reported failures, using 8D methodology to solve complex issues that span hardware, software, and environmental factors.

- Support Reliability Engineering DV (Design Verification) and PV (Process Verification) test plans, ensuring the fully assembled robot can withstand automotive-grade environmental challenges over its intended service life.

- Lead technical quality interactions with OEM partners, ensuring our hardware/software integration meets their vehicle-level quality standards and rigorous safety gates.

- Manage vehicle integration with OEM partners, overseeing vehicle integration quality from implementation through Start of Production (SOP) and production support.

- Analyze Field Quality data to identify hardware issues and problems, informing opportunities for engineering improvements.

- Collaborate with Service and Operations teams to develop service procedures, field service bulletins, and repair procedures.

- Support Service and Operations teams with fleet reworks, rollouts, and recalls.

- Support internal R&D and early maturity builds by acting as the technical product quality lead on the floor, resolving assembly discrepancies and managing non-conforming material (MRB).

- Be QMS responsible for managing and improving Waabi’s quality management system.

Qualifications:

- Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.

- Expertise in APQP & PPAP Frameworks: Deep understanding of how to apply automotive quality standards to a fast-moving tech environment.

- Problem-Solving Mastery: Expert in 8D, 5-Why, and Fishbone analysis, with a focus on system-level interactions (e.g., how field-driven vibration affects an optical sensor's calibration).

- Experience with PLM & Version Control: Skilled in managing complex Bills of Materials (BOMs) and ensuring software/firmware versions are tracked alongside hardware revisions.

- Proficient with Solidworks & Technical Drawings: Ability to review complex assemblies, perform tolerance stack-up analysis, and interpret GD&T.

- Experience with various manufacturing processes (e.g. printed circuit board, PCBA, wire harness, sheet metal, injection molding, stamping, die casting, and CNC machining).

- Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to evaluate designs and identify design challenges or issues that may be mitigated to improve manufacturability and product quality.

- Reliability & Analytics: Experience analyzing and using data to predict product life and drive improvements.

- Experience with automotive standards (e.g. ISO 9001, IATF 16949 or ISO 26262).

- Travel Expectations: Approximately 25% travel required. This is objective-based and fluctuates according to program milestones and product quality needs.

Bonus Qualifications:

- Automotive, Aerospace, Autonomous Vehicle (AV) or EV industry experience is highly preferred.

- IPC/WHMA-A-620 and IPC-A-610 knowledge for acceptance of wire harness assemblies and electronic assemblies.

- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Black Belt.