Director, General Assembly Quality
Scout Motors · Columbia, SC
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Quality
- Base pay
- $180k–$220k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 12+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level quality role at Scout Motors (automotive) in Columbia, SC. Build a team of Quality professionals to support Scout’s lean Quality system.
- They ask for
- 12+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Root cause, IATF 16949, Supplier quality
- Base pay
- $180k–$220k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in South Carolina: typical posted base $95k–$120k. This one lists $180k–$220k.
Median of the low and high ends of 18 live postings that list pay, out of 35 quality engineer openings in South Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
South Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 34 other live quality postings in South Carolina.
- Base pay
- About 91% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (12+ vs 5+)
Typical $90k–$120k, from 16 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 69%
- FMEA 46%
- SPC 43%
- ✓ Lean 37%
- PPAP 37%
- APQP 37%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Scout Motors
We found 5 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 2 leaders, 1 recruiters. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Jeremy → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Scout Motors in Columbia
4 other open roles at this site · 5 people we found in quality roles at Scout Motors.
- Finished Vehicle Yard Operations Manager · Production · Manager
- Process Quality Engineer, Battery Architecture · Quality
- General Assembly Quality Operations Manager · Quality · Manager
- Document Control Specialist · Controls · Specialist
Full description from Scout MotorsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
— an all-electric powertrain as well as the Harvester™ range extender powertrain which includes a built-in gas-powered generator with an estimated 500 miles of combined range.
At Scout Motors, we empower our talented, inclusive, and entrepreneurial teams to innovate. What makes a Scout employee? Someone who is a visionary and a leader, who seeks new paths and shares lessons learned. A knowledgeable doer who collaborates across the company to build better. A go-getter with unrivaled passion.
Join us at Scout Motors and be part of shaping the future of transportation. If you're ready to drive change and make history, apply now!
What you’ll do
Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:
- ✓Develop and implement strategies to improve product quality from the customer's perspective in General Assembly
- ✓Ensure quality performance standards and functional quality in all vehicle activities are met to ensure Customer satisfaction.
- ✓Manage all General Assembly Quality functions including audit processes
- ✓Oversee the definition of Customer Quality to support direct run rate and first time Quality in all aspects of Paint Quality in day-to-day activities
- ✓Drive Quality improvements with Engineering, Supplier Quality and Operations to ensure Quality KPI’s are met and drive to exceed expectations
- ✓Responsible for all General Assembly areas including dynamic in process inspections and final inspection
- ✓Oversee the planning, execution and evaluation of root cause analysis to ensure high quality of Scout production vehicles
- ✓Participate and drive Scout’s Quality expectations as required to ensure KPI’s are met
- ✓Development and execution of quality processes and technical standards in cooperation with Engineering, Purchasing and Operations teams and provide leadership to the technical quality teams and oversee daily operations.
- ✓Work cross functionally with all Operations departments to robust corrective actions are in place
- ✓Build a team of Quality professionals to support Scout’s lean Quality system
- ✓Mentor team members, foster a culture of learning, and facilitate skill development to enhance the capabilities of the Technical Quality team
- ✓Work cross functionally with other departments within Scout
- ✓Perform other duties as assigned.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Here at Scout Motors, we're carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history. A vehicle dating back to 1960. One that forged the path for future generations of rugged SUVs and trucks and will do so once again.
But Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work.
The Scout brand is all about respect. Respect for the past and the future by taking an iconic American brand that hasn’t been around for a while, electrifying it, digitizing it, and loading it with American innovation. Respect for communities by creating a company that stands for its people and its customers. Respect for both work and play, with vehicles that are equally at home at a camp site, a job site, or on a Tuesday commute. And respect for our customers by developing two powertrains that meet their
Location & Travel Expectations
- •This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in Columbia, South Carolina.
- •This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events.
- •Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.
- •Travel : Domestic and international travel required. Valid driver's license required. Passport required
What you’ll bring
We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring:
- •Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in in mechanical/vehicle engineering, industrial engineering, or related field with a core competency in Paint
- •12+ years of experience in automotive engineering/product quality, with at least 5 years in a leadership role in an OEM/ Tier 1
- •Very good technical understanding and sound specialist knowledge of vehicle development and vehicle production
- •Excellent knowledge of vehicle paint technology
- •Very good operations experience and a very good understanding of the vehicle assembly/ functionality as a whole
- •Hands on approach and great trouble shooting skills
- •Sound knowledge of quality management
- •Strong teamwork and communication skills, a high level of assertiveness as well as entrepreneurial thinking and goal- and result-oriented decision-making skills
- •Leadership and team management abilities, with a track record of building and leading high-performing teams
- •Knowledge of AIAG, IATF, ISO, and VDA experience
What you'll gain
The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up . This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation . In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:
- •Competitive insurance including:
- •Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
- •401(k) program with:
- •An employer match and immediate vesting
- •Generous Paid Time Off including:
- •20 days planned PTO, as accrued
- •40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
- •Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
- •Paid leave for circumstances related t
