Quality Engineer

About Livent: Livent powers the things that power our lives.  From the revolution in electric vehicle batteries and mobile devices to the strong, lightweight alloys and advanced polymers that take innovation further, we harness lithium technology to help the world move forward—cleaner, healthier and more sustainably.

For nearly eight decades, we’ve been harnessing lithium’s potential to change the energy landscape. We are a pioneer in the lithium industry and have a rich history of breakthrough innovations and industry achievements, including partnering with Sony Corporation to develop the first ever Lithium-ion battery for commercial use. 

Today, Livent builds on our heritage and is a global leader in the lithium industry with a differentiated product offering, proven track record and sustainability profile.  Our customer portfolio includes some of the most dynamic companies in the world, including Tesla, and BMW Group.  

Our customers look to us to meet the most demanding technical requirements, drawing upon our strengths in R&D with our advanced engineering capabilities, industry-leading materials science expertise, fully integrated global supply chain, and passion for continuous improvement and excellence.

Together, we work to safely and sustainably convert lithium’s potential into commercial progress, driving not only incremental improvements and also next generation, transformative opportunities.

For customers at the forefront of the once in a generation shift in how the world powers itself – and the fight against climate change – Livent is the lithium technology partner that’s leading the way. 

Position Summary:  As a Quality Engineer you will work with cross functional teams, such as Manufacturing, R&D, Quality and Commercial, to ensure alignment with the Bessemer City site Quality Program and defined Quality Objectives.  You will focus on conformity of the Lithium Hydroxide Unit and support functions with IATF 16949:2016, analysis of statistical process control, quality improvement initiatives and provide support for responsibilities listed below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops/Uses Key Process Indicators and statistical methods to determine process effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, best practices, and lead teams in driving continuous quality improvement
• Leads/Drives/Supports corrective and preventive actions, and effectiveness verification activities for product quality issues and customer complaints
• Ensures that quality reporting and records related to incoming and in-process quality trends, returns analysis, complaint investigation, corrective action activity, are clearly documented and maintained
• May conduct internal audits and other quality system functions as assigned.
• Support new customer qualification through PPAP generation and completion of Self Assessments
• Support site through customer 4M changes; development of FMEA / DRBFM, etc.
• Understands and applies statistical concepts including but not limited to:
  • Utilization of hypothesis testing, capability analysis, and other methods based on use of normal and non-normal data distributions where appropriate
  • Control charting methodologies for various types of data, manufacturing processes, and desired controls
  • Confidence intervals and their relation to sampling and appropriate application for given risk levels
• Works closely with Lithium Hydroxide production line to ensure all necessary controls are enforced to be compliant with IATF 16949:2016
• Support development of FMEA and Control Plan for IATF 16949:2016 regulated processes
• Ensure that all company safety rules and regulations are followed and promote general plant safety

Education and Experience 

• 3-5 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment with strong experience in product quality; chemical manufacturing a plus

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Knowledge of ISO 9001:2015
• Knowledge of the Automotive Quality Standard IATF 16949 (or earlier versions)
• Experienced professional with developing knowledge of the technical field and working knowledge of business processes, technologies and applications.
• Can independently select, evaluate and apply techniques, processes and criteria to complete standard assignments
• Competency at the customer interface level commensurate with starting level.
• Strong safety orientation in OSHA 
• Knowledge of Statistical tools such as Minitab or equivalent
• The ability to effectively present at both informal and formal training settings
• Ability to lead project teams

• Data based and results driven with strong action orientation combined with practiced risk management abilities
• Strategic agility with foresight and the ability to create alternate plans

Safety Requirements: All employees are expected to carry out their work functions in a healthy and safe manner, to encourage and support safe work practices at all times, and to report and/or rectify any unsafe conditions that may come to their attention immediately.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to [10] pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Personal Protective Equipment – Must wear PPE as required based on job duties or when traveling to locations where PPE is essential.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

LIVENT employs people across a broad range of occupations in locations across the world. We are looking for people to join us in creating, developing, and improving our products, our processes, and our markets. Employees enjoy competitive compensation, a menu of work/life benefits and opportunities to continue developing their skills and building their career. 

LIVENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EEO, AAE, MFDV and supports a drug free workplace.