Senior Manufacturing Quality Engineer, Coating & Bonding

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.

| WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The Senior Manufacturing Quality Engineer - Coatings & Bonding is a technical leadership role responsible for ensuring the highest levels of quality, safety, and durability across coating, sealing, e-coat, and structural bonding processes. This role supports new product introduction and plant launch activities, drives robust quality systems, and serves as the subject matter expert for adhesive and coating technologies within automotive manufacturing.

| WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT:

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

| WHAT YOU GET TO DO:

• Serve as the technical quality authority for coating, sealing, e-coat, and bonding processes.
• Develop, implement, and maintain control plans, inspection plans, and quality standards for coatings and bonded structures.
• Lead validation of adhesives, coatings, cure cycles, and long-term durability performance.
• Support new plant and product launches, including definition of testing equipment and process capability.
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions for coating and bonding defects.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Product Development teams.
• Manage supplier quality expectations for coatings, sealants, and adhesive materials.
• Conduct process audits and ensure compliance with IATF 16949, AIAG, and internal quality standards.
• Support APQP activities including PFMEA, DFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and PPAP.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve robustness, efficiency, and quality performance.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements related to coatings and bonding.

| WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:

• 12+ years related experience with Bachelor's degree, 8 years with Master's degree, 5 years with PhD or equivalent experience
• Expert-level knowledge of coating, e-coat, sealing, and adhesive bonding technologies.
• Extensive experience with glass bonding, structural adhesives, and panel bonding applications.
• Deep understanding of product and process development, including plant and vehicle launch activities.
• Advanced proficiency with automotive quality tools and standards (IATF 16949, AIAG, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC).
• Proven ability to lead complex problem solving and drive corrective actions across organizations.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional and supplier teams.
• Demonstrated leadership in fast-paced, start-up or transformation environments.
• OEM or Tier 1 automotive manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting electric vehicle or advanced vehicle platforms.
• Background in materials science related to coatings and adhesives.
• Experience leading audits, regulatory compliance, and customer quality interactions.

Why Join Team Slate?

At Slate, we're fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.