Vice President of Quality

A rapidly growing advanced manufacturing company is building a next-generation Li-ion battery and energy storage manufacturing platform and is seeking a Vice President 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 Vice President 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 goalsBuild, lead, and develop a high-performing QA/QC organizationEstablish a culture of quality ownership, accountability, and continuous improvementPartner cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, and Supply ChainQuality Systems & Compliance:Develop and maintain a scalable Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001Lead internal audits, external audits, and regulatory compliance activitiesOversee document control, change management, and quality governance processesImplement systems that enable real-time quality metrics, dashboards, and reportingProduct & Process Quality:Ensure quality across incoming materials, in-process operations, and final product testingApply advanced methodologies including Six Sigma, SPC, FMEA, root cause analysis, and CAPADrive improvements in yield, defect reduction, scrap, and product reliabilitySupport new product introduction (NPI) and production rampCollaborate on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Quality (DFQ)Supplier & Customer Quality:Lead supplier quality management, including qualification, audits, and performance monitoringEnsure control of incoming materials, traceability, and supplier performanceServe as primary interface for customer quality, audits, and issue resolutionSupport quality requirements for high-reliability industries such as defense and aerospaceProduct Safety & Reliability:Own quality-related aspects of product safety, reliability, and risk mitigationLead failure analysis, reliability testing, and corrective action processesEnsure compliance with UL, IEC, and relevant safety standardsContinuous Improvement & Analytics:Drive continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologiesImplement data-driven quality systems, KPI tracking, and performance dashboardsReduce cost of poor quality (COPQ) and improve operational efficiencySupport production ramp and yield stabilizationReporting & Performance:Track and report on key quality metrics including:Yield and defect ratesCustomer and supplier performanceAudit and compliance metricsCorrective action effectivenessProvide leadership with data-driven insights on quality performanceQualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field10+ years of experience in quality assurance within manufacturing environments5+ years of leadership experience managing quality teamsExperience 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 manufacturingStrong expertise in QMS, process control, and continuous improvement methodologiesProven ability to build and scale quality systems in production ramp environmentsPreferred:Experience in lithium-ion battery systems or energy storage technologiesBackground in defense, aerospace, or other high-reliability applicationsExperience managing complex supplier networks and incoming material qualityAdvanced degree preferredWhy 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.