Associate Director, R&D Quality Engineering
Core
Senior leadership owning quality strategy, execution, and data infrastructure for prototype builds, low-volume production, supplier quality, and failure investigation in a rapidly changing R&D hardware environment.
Role type
Senior IC quality engineering leader (R&D hardware)
Builds
Prototype robots, low-volume production units, and validated supplier parts
Domain
Robotics / Hardware manufacturing / Quality Engineering
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work -> product features (quality systems, traceability, defect analytics)
Required skills
structured problem solving (8D, DMAIC), GD&T, measurement systems analysis, process capability, first-article inspection, process validation, supplier qualification, quality data systems, executive communication
Preferred skills
robotics experience, scaling quality through rate ramps, Six Sigma Black Belt, reliability engineering methods, regulated quality systems experience
Technologies
MES, Tulip, 8D, DMAIC, FMEA, DOE
Responsibilities
Define and execute quality strategy for prototype-to-production; own escape metrics and drive systemic fixes; lead cross-functional root cause investigations; manage supplier quality programs and corrective actions; build traceability and defect analytics workflows; coach teams on quality methods and set cultural tone
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC with team leadership