Waabi

Autonomous trucking software licensing to OEMs

Senior / Staff Manufacturing Engineer - NPI

Manufacturing EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timePittsburgh, PA, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or a similar field is required.
Proven experience launching automotive or high-tech hardware at Tier 1 or contract manufacturers using structured quality gates is required.
Experience owning the launch cycle and transitioning prototypes to production-validated manufacturing lines is required.
Advanced experience managing Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), including Control Plans, Process Flows, Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R), manufacturing process stability (Cpk), transition from Design Verification (DV) to Process Verification (PV), and full PPAP submissions for complex electromechanical systems is required.
Proficiency with SolidWorks for reviewing assembly fixtures, pallets, and inspection jigs is required.
Expertise in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and metrology, including verifying complex mechanical tolerances using Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM), Optical Measuring Machines (OMM), or vision systems, is required.
Expertise in 8D and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), including leading technical resolution activities during a production ramp, is required.
Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools and document revision control to manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and maintain bill of materials (BOM) accuracy during APQP is required.
Experience with manufacturing processes such as precision torque, thermal interface material (TIM) dispensing, and sensor calibration is required.
Ability to present manufacturing readiness to cross-functional teams using data-driven insights to justify progression from APQP Phase 3 to Phase 4 is required.

Responsibilities

Drive APQP program management at contract manufacturer and Tier 1 sites, owning APQP to ensure a successful Start of Production (SOP) and obtain PPAP deliverables.
Provide design maturity feedback during APQP Phase 2 to ensure hardware can be repeatedly built using the contract manufacturer's tooling and equipment.
Support Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) by validating that component-level PPAPs from sub-tier vendors are correctly integrated into the contract manufacturer's assembly process.
Own the mechanical assembly, test, and integration of sensors, compute, and actuation systems, and define special characteristic (SC/CC) steps for the manufacturing process.
Work with cross-functional teams to define, deploy, and validate End-of-Line (EOL) testers and calibration routines that confirm hardware functionality.
Lead development of Process PPAP deliverables, including Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs), Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, and Work Instructions; ensure assembly risks are mitigated with error-proofing solutions and a robust manufacturing process is established.
Design and qualify manufacturing equipment, tooling, and gauges, ensuring process controls are in place and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) or general specification and tolerance requirements are consistently met through Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) and Gage R&R.
Support Process Verification (PV) testing and conduct Run-at-Rate studies to demonstrate the manufacturing line can sustain quality targets at full production speed.
Lead internal and contract manufacturer-based Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) using the 8D methodology to resolve technical assembly failures during manufacturing.
Manage metrology and Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), ensuring contract manufacturer gauges and inspection fixtures are qualified through Gage R&R before production use.
Collaborate with Field Quality teams to update manufacturing Control Plans based on real-world performance data and feedback from original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners.

Desired Qualifications

Automotive, aerospace, autonomous vehicle (AV), or electric vehicle (EV) industry experience is highly preferred.
Knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620 and IPC-A-610 for acceptance of wire harness and electronic assemblies is preferred.
Experience with robotic workcells or automated assembly systems is preferred.
Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is preferred.

Waabi, founded by AI visionary Raquel Urtasun, is the leader in Physical AI. With a world-class team, we're unlocking the next era of autonomous transportation with technology that's powering commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech.

With offices in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, and Pittsburgh, Waabi is growing quickly and looking for diverse, innovative and collaborative candidates who want to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai

You will...

Drive APQP Program Management at CM/Tier 1 sites, owning APQP to ensure a flawless Start of Production (SOP) and obtain PPAP deliverables.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Assembly (DFA): Provide design maturity feedback during APQP Phase 2, ensuring that the hardware can be built repeatedly with the CM’s specific tooling and equipment.
Support Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) by validating that component-level PPAPs from sub-tier vendors are integrated correctly into the CM’s assembly process.
Be responsible for the mechanical assembly, test, and integration of sensors, compute, and actuation systems, defining the special characteristic (SC/CC) steps for the manufacturing process.
Work closely with cross-functional teams to define, deploy, and validate End-of-Line (EOL) testers and calibration routines that confirm the "digital health" of the hardware.
Lead the development of Process PPAP deliverables, including PFMEAs, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, and Work Instructions ensuring the CM has identified and mitigated all assembly-related risks with "Poka-Yoke" (error-proofing) solution, and has established a robust manufacturing process.
Design and qualify manufacturing equipment, tooling and gauges, ensuring that manufacturing process controls are in place. Providing assurance that GD&T and/or general specification and tolerance requirements are consistently met through MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) and Gage R&R.
Support Process Verification (PV) Testing, conducting "Run-at-Rate" studies to prove the manufacturing line can sustain quality targets at full production speed.
Lead internal and CM-based RCCA (Root Cause Corrective Action) using the 8D methodology to resolve technical assembly failures during manufacturing.
Manage Metrology and Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), ensuring that all gauges and inspection fixtures at the CM are qualified via Gage R&R before production use.
Collaborate with Field Quality teams to update manufacturing Control Plans based on real-world performance data and feedback from OEM partners.

Qualifications:

Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering or similar fields.
NPI & CM Oversight Experience: Proven track record of launching automotive or high-tech hardware at Tier 1 or Contract Manufacturers using structured quality gates.
Technical ownership of the launch cycle, specifically focusing on the transition from prototype to a production-validated manufacturing line.
Advanced APQP & PPAP Management: Mastery of Control Plans, Process Flows, and Gage R&R, with a specific focus on manufacturing process stability (Cpk). Experience managing the transition from Design Verification (DV) to Process Verification (PV) and overseeing full PPAP submissions for complex electromechanical systems.
Proficient with Solidworks for reviewing assembly fixtures, pallets, and inspection jigs.
Expertise in GD&T & Metrology: Deep understanding of how to verify complex mechanical tolerances in a production environment using CMM, OMM, or vision systems.
Problem-Solving Expert: Mastery of 8D and RCCA, with the ability to lead high-pressure technical resolution activities during a production ramp.
Experience with PLM tools and document revision control to manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and ensure BOM accuracy during the APQP cycle.
Experience with various manufacturing processes such as precision torque, thermal interface material (TIM) dispensing, and high-stakes sensor calibration.
Present manufacturing readiness to cross-functional teams, using data-driven insights to justify the move from APQP Phase 3 to Phase 4.

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.
Experience with Robotic Workcells or automated assembly systems.
Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.

Perks/Benefits:

Competitive compensation and equity awards.
Health and Wellness benefits encompassing Medical, Dental and Vision coverage (for full-time employees only).
Unlimited Vacation.
Flexible hours and Work from Home support.
Daily drinks, snacks and catered meals (when in office).
Regularly scheduled team building activities and social events both on-site, off-site & virtually.
As we grow, this list continues to evolve!

Waabi is a technology start-up building technologies to transform the way the world moves. Join our talented team to be a part of the future and to make an impact!

Waabi is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and accessible workplace for all our employees. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities, across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, caregiver status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We make workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please let our recruiting team know.

About the Company

Waabi

Autonomous trucking software licensing to OEMs

Waabi develops autonomous trucking technology. Its flagship Waabi Driver is a self-driving system that can be trained to make decisions, apply learned skills to new routes and terrains, and work with different hardware setups. A key part of its approach is Waabi World, a sophisticated simulation environment that lets the system be trained and tested virtually, reducing real-world driving miles, lowering costs, and increasing safety. The company licenses this technology to trucking fleets and OEMs for factory-level integration, aiming for large-scale commercialization. What sets Waabi apart is its emphasis on end-to-end training, geography and hardware adaptability, and its strong leadership in AI and self-driving research. Its goal is to bring safe, affordable autonomous trucking to scale by licensing the Waabi Driver to industry players and enabling widespread deployment.

Company size: 201-500
Company stage: Series C
Total funding: $1B
Headquarters: Toronto, Canada
Founded: 2021

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