Principal Supplier Quality Engineer (Greenville, SC, US, 29673)

EnerSys Advanced Systems (EAS) is a specialized division of EnerSys—a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications. EAS focuses on cutting-edge energy solutions for the aerospace, defense, and medical industries. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for individuals who share a passion for these industries and want to be part of an innovative, dynamic team.

Certain positions at EnerSys Advanced Systems require access to information or technology that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and other U.S. government security regulations. Candidates for these positions should be a “U.S. Person” under ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or a refugee/asylee) and/or otherwise comply with ITAR requirements for access rights to be considered for a position.

What We Offer:

• Generous Time Off – 3+ weeks of paid time off, plus 11 paid holidays
• Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents at a discounted rate
• Financial & Career Growth – Life insurance, short-term disability, educational reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, and an employee stock purchase plan
• 401(k) Matching – 100% match at a 6% contribution level
• Innovative Culture – We value excellence, teamwork, and long-term relationships with stakeholders, colleagues, and customers. Through innovative technology and ongoing training, we invest in our employees’ skills and career development.

At EAS, we don’t just build batteries – we power systems and devices that protect not only individual citizens but communities across the world.

If you’re excited about working in an innovative, fast-paced, high-tech environment, where your contributions make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Learn More About EAS

Job Purpose

We are seeking an experienced and technically strong Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) to support the launch of our new lithium‑ion cell manufacturing facility. This role will partner with our collaborators to establish and maintain supplier quality processes to implement best practices, emphasizing defect prevention, waste reduction, and continuous improvement. The SQE will collaborate on supplier qualifications, process validations, and supplier performance monitoring to support the successful operation of the facility.The ideal candidate has a strong background in high-volume high‑reliability manufacturing and experience contributing to quality system elements in early-stage environments in highly regulated environments. This is a unique opportunity to influence the foundation of a new production site and help ensure that supplier quality processes, controls, and procedures are implemented effectively and sustainably.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Suppler Quality Management

• Lead supplier quality activities during the factory build-out and transition into production including establishing baseline supplier quality metrics and process controls.
• Lead vetting of material, component, or equipment suppliers and process qualification/validation activities.  Collaborate with manufacturing quality for IQ/OQ/PQ development, data evaluation, and risk reviews.
• Lead development and execution of supplier APQP processes and deliverables, including PFMEA, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, MSA, and PPAP documentation.
• Lead and develop a supplier quality capability to support all EnerSys Precision Power Solutions (PPS) lines of business.
• Conduct supplier audits and on-site assessments to identify potential supply chain quality risks and ensure supplier compliance with quality standards such as ISO 9001 or IATF 16949.
• Collaborate with partners and suppliers to improve manufacturing processes and enhance process controls.
• Develop and/or collaborate, implement, and mature supplier quality processes, supplier and receiving inspection methods and standards, sampling strategies, acceptance criteria, and control documentation for lithium‑ion cell production.
• Coordinate supplier APQP and supplier quality activities with Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D, and Supply Chain for new product introductions and new product deployments.
• Collaborate across departments to implement and sustain robust process controls and supplier quality standards.  Provide supplier quality input to Engineering DFMEA activities to ensure product design risks are aligned with process capabilities and quality controls.
• Provide technical guidance and training to engineers and technicians during facility launch, initial production runs, and quality system implementation.

Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement

• Lead advanced root‑cause investigations (DMAIC, 8D, 5‑Why, fishbone) for supplier quality issues and ensure timely resolution of non-conformances.
• Leads or supports supplier or internal continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six-Sigma methodologies.
• Collaborate with partners and suppliers in improving manufacturing capabilities and meeting key performance indicators (KPIs) such as defect rates (PPM), COPQ, and On Time Delivery (OTD).

Quality Management System

• Develop and implement initial supplier quality processes, procedures, work instructions, and software tools that will integrate into the overall site Quality Management System and/or EnerSys Precision Power Solutions (PPS) division.
• Contribute to the maturation of the facility’s QMS by defining supplier‑focused quality controls, documentation practices, and operational quality standards while maintaining accurate documentation.
• Collaborate with sourcing partners to develop and maintain a supplier risk‑ranking model with controls to manage the risk.
• Collaborate with sourcing partners to develop, maintain, and monitor ongoing supplier performance metrics and report to management.
  Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Materials, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related field).
• 13+ years of supplier quality engineering experience in high‑volume automated manufacturing environment.
• Experience launching new manufacturing lines or processes, with direct involvement in developing manufacturing quality controls and documentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with ERP, PLM, MES systems (SAP, Oracle, PTC Windchill, etc.) is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in chemical engineering or materials engineering.
• Master’s degree in relevant discipline.
• 5+ years with direct experience in a cylindrical lithium-ion or other electrochemistry cell environment, processing of raw chemical materials, and/or a high volume manufacturing environment.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or higher.
• ASQ Certified Supplier Quality Engineer or equivalent.
• Certified ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or VDA 6.3 auditor preferred.

General Job Requirements

• This position will work in an office setting, expect minimal physical demands.

 

EnerSys provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  

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