Manager, Quality
Core
Own quality across products, factory, and supply base; lead the quality team and develop the Quality Management System to improve product quality from design through delivery.
Role type
Manager, Quality (Hardware Manufacturing)
Builds
Electric marine vessels (tugs, ferries, defense applications) and the underlying quality infrastructure.
Domain
Marine industry, Electric propulsion, Hardware manufacturing
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work -> physical/clinical work (Quality Management System & Product Quality)
Required skills
Quality Management System (QMS) design and implementation, Root cause analysis, CAPA, PFMEA, Control plans, SPC, MSA, Engineering drawing interpretation (GD&T), Cross-functional change management, Supplier quality management, Team leadership
Preferred skills
ISO 9001/AS9100/IATF 16949 certification experience, Composites (carbon fiber/fiberglass) or high-voltage electrical systems background, Marine/Automotive/Aerospace industry experience, Supplier quality audits, PLM/ERP systems familiarity, ASQ certification (CQE/CQM/CQA)
Technologies
QMS software, PLM, ERP
Responsibilities
Building and owning the Quality Management System (document control, non-conformance, audits), Leading and developing the quality engineering and inspector team, Defining and improving key quality metrics (first-pass yield, defect escapes, cost of poor quality), Driving root-cause investigations and corrective actions, Establishing inspection and acceptance strategies, Building the supplier-quality system (qualification, first-article inspection, scorecards), Embedding quality upstream via PFMEAs and design reviews, Preparing for customer/regulatory/defense quality requirements
Seniority
Manager, hands-on IC with team leadership
Full job description
What we’re building
The marine industry supports recreation, global commerce, and national defense. And yet it runs on technology that hasn't meaningfully changed in fifty years. Until now.
Arc is on a mission to electrify the marine industry. We're rethinking powertrains, software, and vessel designs from first principles. And we're already executing. We started with consumers to develop and harden our core technology. We’re now scaling production of our flagship model with new models and sectors on the horizon. Now we’re extending our platform to commercial applications, starting with tugs, ferries, and defense, with years worth of signed contracts and a pipeline that spans every vessel type on the water.
The technology is proven, the momentum is building, and the opportunity is enormous. The marine industry is going electric and Arc is building the platform that powers it
Who we’re looking for
As Arc’s Manager, Quality , you will own quality across Arc’s products, factory, and supply base—leading our quality team, developing the Quality Management System, and partnering with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Service to improve product quality from design through delivery.
We're looking for someone fired up by the mission and ready to build. You'll thrive here if you move fast, take ownership, and care about the details.
This is a full-time, on-site role at our Los Angeles headquarters.
What You'll Do
Building and owning Arc’s Quality Management System, including document control, non-conformance, corrective actions, audits
Leading and developing Arc’s team of quality engineers and inspectors, setting clear standards and scaling the organization alongside production
Defining and improving key quality metrics, including first-pass yield, defect escapes, rework, cost of poor quality, and supplier performance
Driving root-cause investigations and corrective actions across Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, suppliers, and field issues
Establishing inspection and acceptance strategies across incoming material, production processes, and completed vessels
Building Arc’s supplier-quality system, including qualification, first-article inspection, supplier scorecards, audits, and corrective actions
Embedding quality upstream through PFMEAs, control plans, design reviews, production-readiness reviews, and new-product introduction
Preparing Arc for the customer, regulatory, commercial, and defense quality requirements associated with future programs
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field
6+ years in quality within a hardware manufacturing environment, including 2+ years directly managing a team
Demonstrated experience building or substantially rebuilding a Quality Management System, not only operating inside one someone else created
Working command of core quality methodology — root cause analysis, CAPA, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, or MSA
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T
Track record of driving cross-functional change in a production environment where quality competes with schedule
Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as production demands
Bonus Qualifications
Experience taking an organization through ISO 9001 certification, or equivalent experience with AS9100 or IATF 16949
Background in composites — carbon fiber and fiberglass — or in high-voltage electrical systems
Experience in marine, automotive, aerospace, or another regulated, safety-critical hardware industry
Supplier quality experience, including on-site supplier development and audits
Familiarity with quality management software and PLM/ERP systems
ASQ certification (CQE, CQM/OE, or CQA)
Comfortable pushing at a fast but sustainable pace
Enthusiasm for boating and the water
At Arc, we encourage diversity and consider all qualified applicants equally for employment, regardless of background, identity, or status. You’re always welcome to reach out even if you don’t meet many of these qualifications. Passion and aptitude make up for a lot.
What we offer
The base salary for this role is $165,000 annually.
Highly competitive equity grants are included with full time offers. As well as semi-annual bonuses tied to your impact, not just your tenure.
Additionally, Arc offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Healthcare benefits — 99% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision
Parental leave — 14 weeks fully paid for birthing and non-birthing parents
Generous time off — Highly competitive PTO with an opportunity to earn more time with tenure
Income protection — Life and disability insurance for all employees
Retirement savings — Traditional and Roth 401(k) access
Water fund — $500 for you to spend each year to get out on the water, however you choose
Professional development — $500 annual reimbursement for professional development and a monthly AI stipend
Safety Support- Annual reimbursement for PPE, ergonomic equipment and anything that ensures we keep our crew safe
Captain training — Training and access to take Arcboats out with friends and family
Office perks — Daily lunches, snacks, and good coffee while onsite
Relocation assistance — Available depending on role eligibility.
Our values
We move with urgency and build with care. We value these five things above all else:
Ownership over both your work and the company’s success
Empathy for colleagues and for customers
Humility in problem solving and collaboration
Pragmatism for navigating ambiguity quickly and sensibly
Inclusion of different backgrounds, opinions, cultures, and perspectives.
We want people who share and embody these values. It is vital that our values align - we’d be happy to elaborate on any or all of these during the interview process.