Director of Quality Assurance

A rapidly growing advanced manufacturing company is building a next-generation Li-ion battery and energy storage manufacturing platform and is seeking a Director of Quality Assurance to lead and scale its quality organization.The company develops high-performance energy storage systems for defense, aerospace, and other mission-critical applications, supporting technologies that require high reliability, safety, and performance in demanding environments. With a focus on domestic manufacturing and secure supply chains, this organization is positioned at the forefront of advanced battery innovation.The RoleThe Director of Quality Assurance will lead all aspects of quality strategy, quality systems, and product assurance across manufacturing operations, including battery assembly, integration, and testing.This role is responsible for building and scaling a world-class quality function, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and driving continuous improvement, product reliability, and operational excellence during production ramp and beyond.Key Responsibilities:Quality Strategy & LeadershipDefine and execute the overall quality strategy aligned with business and production goals Build, lead, and develop a high-performing QA/QC organization Establish a culture of quality ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain Quality Systems & Compliance:Develop and maintain a scalable Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001 Lead internal audits, external audits, and regulatory compliance activities Oversee document control, change management, and quality governance processes Implement systems that enable real-time quality metrics, dashboards, and reporting Product & Process Quality:Ensure quality across incoming materials, in-process operations, and final product testing Apply advanced methodologies including Six Sigma, SPC, FMEA, root cause analysis, and CAPA Drive improvements in yield, defect reduction, scrap, and product reliability Support new product introduction (NPI) and production ramp Collaborate on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Quality (DFQ) Supplier & Customer Quality:Lead supplier quality management, including qualification, audits, and performance monitoring Ensure control of incoming materials, traceability, and supplier performance Serve as primary interface for customer quality, audits, and issue resolution Support quality requirements for high-reliability industries such as defense and aerospace Product Safety & Reliability:Own quality-related aspects of product safety, reliability, and risk mitigation Lead failure analysis, reliability testing, and corrective action processes Ensure compliance with UL, IEC, and relevant safety standards Continuous Improvement & Analytics:Drive continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies Implement data-driven quality systems, KPI tracking, and performance dashboards Reduce cost of poor quality (COPQ) and improve operational efficiency Support production ramp and yield stabilization Reporting & Performance:Track and report on key quality metrics including: Yield and defect rates Customer and supplier performance Audit and compliance metrics Corrective action effectiveness Provide leadership with data-driven insights on quality performance Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field 10+ years of experience in quality assurance within manufacturing environments 5+ years of leadership experience managing quality teams Experience supporting product quality and reliability in lithium-ion battery or other high-performance energy storage systems is highly desirableExperience in battery, electronics, aerospace, automotive, or advanced manufacturing Strong expertise in QMS, process control, and continuous improvement methodologies Proven ability to build and scale quality systems in production ramp environments Preferred:Experience in lithium-ion battery systems or energy storage technologies Background in defense, aerospace, or other high-reliability applications Experience managing complex supplier networks and incoming material quality Advanced degree preferred Why This Role:This is a unique opportunity to build and lead quality for a next-generation battery platform, shaping product reliability, compliance, and manufacturing excellence in a high-growth, high-impact environment.