Proterra offers a dynamic and supportive workplace where our employees can thrive personally and professionally. With cutting-edge facilities and groundbreaking projects, Proterra offers unique opportunities to grow, collaborate, and lead transformative change in the electrification of heavy-duty transportation and equipment.

Our commitment to innovation extends beyond our battery solutions to our people, where we create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to drive change for the earth. Here at Proterra we strive to foster a culture of inclusivity, valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging bold ideas, allowing our employees to bring their full selves to work. Our employees benefit from competitive total rewards packages, and opportunities to develop professionally.

Position Overview:

As a Senior Quality Systems Engineer at Proterra, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure full compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, VDA 6.3, and customer-specific requirements. You will focus on system design, documentation control, process standardization, audit readiness, and system performance metrics to ensure operational excellence and regulatory compliance, while also providing oversight and guidance on the consistent application and continual improvement of FMEA practices across the organization.

About the Role – You will:

QMS Compliance and Audit Management

• Ensure the Proterra QMS conforms to customer, internal, external, and regulatory requirements
• Participate in and lead internal audits while supporting external audits
• Ensure audit alignment, schedule visibility, and collection of outputs in the system of record
• Drive proper containment, correction, and risk assessments to address audit findings
• Develop comprehensive analysis of audit outcomes and required actions
• Report to top management on QMS performance, including areas for improvement
• Present audit trends and action updates at periodic business review meetings

QMS Development and Improvement

• Expand the breadth of the QMS to include other supporting functions
• Continually improve the program to remove overlaps and redundancies
• Review audit data to determine trends and required corrective actions
• Support projects focused on improving Proterra’s Quality Management System
• Keep up to date on quality standards, regulations, issues, and news within the industry

Process Optimization and Documentation

• Facilitate and collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand stakeholder needs
• Participate in process mapping exercises to streamline processes and remove non-value-add steps
• Manage the monitoring, measurement, review, and improvement of internal processes
• Develop the Proterra document management strategy and associated action plans
• Establish document hierarchy and standardize the methodology for FMEA across locations
• Determine impact and required changes when documents are created or revised
• Continually improve documentation design, review, and storage guidelines

Training and Qualification

• Coordinate the provision of training resources for QMS-related programs
• Proactively identify, develop, and deploy metrics to gauge the status and effectiveness of the QMS
• Champion a culture of quality, safety, and excellence in all aspects of work

Additional Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned by the manager

Your Experience Includes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• 5+ years of quality systems experience in the automotive or heavy-vehicle industry (Tier 1 or OEM preferred)
• Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, VDA 6.3, and customer-specific requirements
• Hands-on expertise with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC
• Certified Lead Auditor (ISO/IATF) strongly preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, QMS tools, and statistical analysis software (Power BI, Tableau)

Soft Skills

• Change leader who can influence culture and gain buy-in across the organization
• Strong communicator able to engage stakeholders at all levels
• Proactive problem-solver with a growth mindset and hands-on approach
• Highly organized and detail-oriented under pressure
• Passionate about contributing to a zero-emissions future

Proterra’s battery technology offers industry-leading energy density, safety systems, and durability. Proudly designed in Silicon Valley and assembled in Greer, South Carolina, Proterra® batteries are the premier choice to electrify commercial vehicles ranging from buses and trucks to construction equipment and more. Proterra is building innovative battery technology to power a better, more sustainable world.

Location: Greer, South Carolina

Travel: 5–15%

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REMOTE ONLY To be eligible for this role, you must be located within one of the following states where our company is currently registered to operate: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, IL, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NY, NYC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA (do not put this on any positions that are director and above.)

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. There is no immigration sponsorship available for this role (ex: H1-B, OPT, CPT, TN or any other employment sponsorship).

Proterra is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all Employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Proterra participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program (E-Verify).