Job Description:

Role Summary

The Quality Manager leads the quality management system and manufacturing quality for Nextpower’s eBOS operations in San Jose. The primary focus of this role is manufacturing quality across Nextpower’s eBOS operations in San Jose. The Quality Manager works directly with Operations and Engineering to prevent defects on the production floor and ensure incoming materials, in-process work, testing, final inspection, and product release meet defined requirements. The role leads containment, nonconformance, and corrective action, while maintaining the site Quality Management System (QMS) and audit readiness. Close partnership with Supplier Quality, New Product Introduction (NPI), and Supply Chain supports production readiness and timely resolution of product or process issues that affect manufacturing quality.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Quality and Production Support

·    Provide hands-on quality leadership on the production floor; partner with supervisors, operators, and Manufacturing Engineering to resolve issues at the point of occurrence and reinforce standard work.

·    Define acceptance criteria and effective controls for incoming materials, in-process operations, final inspection, testing, product release, and traceability.

·    Develop and maintain process FMEAs, control plans, inspection methods, and test requirements with process owners; verify that controls match the current process and are understood at the workstation.

·    Lead containment and disposition of nonconforming material or product. Ensure holds, rework, deviations, and release decisions follow approved requirements and prevent unintended use or shipment.

·    Ensure inspection and test methods, equipment, and records produce reliable results, including appropriate calibration, validation, and measurement-system controls.

·    Lead response to customer complaints, product escapes, and internal quality events—from containment through root-cause analysis, corrective action, communication, and effectiveness checks. Use 5-Why, 8D, and data analysis as appropriate, and apply lessons to controls and training.

Supplier Quality, NPI, and Supply Chain Partnerships

·    Coordinate with Supplier Quality when supplier-related product or process issues affect manufacturing quality; provide production evidence, support containment and supplier corrective action, and confirm that incoming controls address the issue.

·    Coordinate with Supply Chain when supplier or incoming-material product or process issues affect manufacturing quality; assess production impact and align containment, material disposition, and recovery actions.

·    Engage early with NPI, Engineering, Operations, and Project Management to translate product and customer requirements into process risk reviews, validation plans, inspection and test controls, and documented production-readiness criteria.

·    Support PPAP, APQP, first-article inspection, process validation, and customer approvals when required. Coordinate the NPI-to-production handoff of approved documents, quality controls, training, and open quality actions.

Quality System and Compliance

·    Maintain and improve the site QMS to support consistent manufacturing controls and meet applicable ISO 9001, customer, regulatory, and certification requirements.

·    Keep controlled quality documents current, approved, accessible, and aligned with production, including procedures, work instructions, inspection plans, test records, and forms.

·    Plan and lead internal, customer, and certification audits; prepare teams, present objective evidence, coordinate corrective actions, and verify effective closure.

·    Coordinate quality risk reviews and process assessments with Operations, Engineering, and EHS; ensure product and site requirements are reflected in manufacturing controls.
Performance and Continuous Improvement

·    Define and report manufacturing quality KPIs, including first-pass yield, internal defects, scrap and rework, supplier-related defects, customer escapes, and audit or corrective-action closure.

·    Lead regular cross-functional quality reviews with clear actions, accountable owners, and due dates; escalate significant product, customer, or production risks promptly.

·    Lead improvements that reduce defects, variation, scrap, rework, and cost of poor quality. Promote corrective action at the source and verify that improvements are sustained.

Team Leadership and Resources

·    Lead, coach, and develop Quality Engineers, Technicians, and other assigned team members; set expectations, build technical capability, and maintain coverage for production support and site needs.

·    Ensure employees receive training in quality procedures, inspection and test methods, customer-specific requirements, and problem-solving tools; maintain applicable training records.

·    Manage quality resources and budget needs, including staffing, training, external services, and inspection or test equipment; recommend investments based on risk and business need.

·    Model safe work practices and ensure the Quality team follows applicable site safety, environmental, and housekeeping requirements.

Required Qualifications

·    Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education, specialized training, and relevant experience.

·    10+ years of progressive quality experience in a manufacturing environment, including at least 5 years in a leadership role or leading significant cross-functional quality programs.

·    Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and experience maintaining a quality system, preparing for audits, and closing corrective actions.

·    Demonstrated hands-on manufacturing quality experience with process controls, nonconformance management, root-cause analysis, corrective action, PFMEA, control plans, and data-based problem solving.

·    Experience partnering with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Supplier Quality, NPI, and Supply Chain to resolve quality issues and prepare products and processes for production.

·    Experience working directly with customers and coordinating with Supplier Quality and suppliers when manufacturing quality issues require investigation or corrective action.

·    Knowledge of applicable electrical-product, customer, and regulatory requirements; familiarity with UL 1741 and UL 508A where relevant to the product scope.

·    Demonstrated ability to lead and develop people, influence across functions, manage multiple priorities, and communicate clearly. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, quality data analysis, and an ERP system such as Oracle Fusion, NetSuite, SAP, or an equivalent platform.

Preferred Qualifications

·    Experience with eBOS, electrical or electro-mechanical assemblies, wire harnesses, molded or potted components, and manufacturing test or laboratory operations.

·    Experience with ISO 14001 or ISO 45001 systems, customer audits, and certification audits.

·    Training or certification in quality engineering, auditing, Six Sigma, or Lean methods, such as ASQ CQA/CQE or Six Sigma Green Belt.

·    Experience with PPAP, APQP, product validation, and production launch support.

Nextpower offers a comprehensive benefits package. We provide health care coverage, dental and vision, 401(K) participation including company matching, company paid holidays with unlimited paid time off, generous discretionary company bonuses, life and disability protection and more. Employees in certain positions may be eligible for stock compensation. All plans are in accordance with relevant plan documents. For more information on Nextpowers benefits please view our company website at www.Nextpower.com.

Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, and other job-related considerations. The annual target total cash compensation for this position is $145,000–$170,000, which includes base salary and target commission. Actual compensation may vary based on sales target achievements. This role is also eligible for equity as part of the total compensation package. (Applicable to California)

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we’re building the foundation for the world’s next generation of clean energy infrastructure.

Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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