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Staff / Sr Staff Quality Systems Engineer

Alameda, CA

About Us

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world’s transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We're tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we're redefining what's possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

Who You Are

You don't just follow a Quality Management System—you champion it.

You are a visionary Senior Staff Quality Engineer with 8+ years of expertise in a regulated QMS environment (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or GMP). You are the vital link who translates world-class quality principles into the actionable speed and scale of a disruptive start-up.

You are known for:

Strategic Leadership in Ambiguity: You are the person who steps up to define the path forward. You independently drive and execute complex, global QMS initiatives, bringing structure and clarity to challenging, undefined problems.

Mastery of Systemic Integrity: You are the ultimate Root Cause Analysis (RCA) expert. You don't settle for surface-level fixes; you leverage advanced tools (8D) to uncover the true systemic root cause, ensuring durable, lasting quality across the organization.

Influential Communication & Consensus: You are a highly effective cross-functional leader who can make quality principles resonate. You effortlessly distill complex data into compelling narratives that influence executive decisions and build organizational commitment to excellence.

Responsibilities and Duties  

  • Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of Sila’s global quality management system (QMS)
  • Report on QMS performance to management
  • Develop and lead Sila’s internal audit program
  • Steward Sila’s global event investigation / problem solving program and serve as an expert root cause analysis (RCA) facilitator
  • Train Quality process owners, leaders, and employees on Sila’s QMS and their role within it
  • Drive continuous improvements and simplification efforts for Sila’s QMS
  • Serve as the lead coordinator for external quality certification and surveillance audits

Knowledge and Skill Requirements 

  • Experience: Minimum of 8 years of relevant quality engineering experience within an established Quality Management System (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or GMP).
  • Standards & Auditing: Strong, demonstrated expertise with ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949. Extensive auditing experience, including leading internal audits and managing registrar audits. (Internal Auditor certification preferred).
  • Core Quality Skills: Proven ability to lead, execute, and document key quality processes, including, Management Review, Problem Solving, and Continuous Improvement.
    • Optional/Preferred: Industry experience in automotive, semiconductor, and/or bulk materials.
  • Strategic Communication & Influence: Ability to effectively advocate for quality initiatives and drive cross-functional change. Must be able to distill complex quality metrics and technical findings into clear, compelling narratives for all levels of the organization, including executive leadership.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership & Facilitation: Proven skill in leading and structuring critical meetings (eg, Management Review) to ensure efficiency and clear, accountable outcomes. Must be adept at mediating conflicts and building consensus among diverse functional groups.
  • Mentorship & Development: Experience in coaching and mentoring junior staff or peers on quality principles and QMS procedures, providing constructive and empathetic feedback to foster professional growth.
  • Drive & Professionalism: Demonstrates persistence and resourcefulness to overcome obstacles, high standards of integrity, and assertiveness to ensure quality compliance without being overly abrasive.
  • Systemic Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Able to proficiently apply advanced analytical tools (e.g., 8D, Fishbone/Ishikawa, 5 Whys, FMEA, statistical process control) to determine the true systemic root cause of complex non-conformances. Must be able to analyze qualitative and quantitative data to draw insightful, reliable conclusions that drive effective and lasting Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

  • Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
  • Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time
  • Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location
  • Ability to travel 10% of the year

Work Schedule

Regular Shift: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm

Payscale Disclosure

The starting base pay for this role is between $132,000 and $197,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, equity, and bonuses.  The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. #LI-PL1#LI-Onsite

Working at Sila

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.

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