Director - Quality Assurance
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Summary
Directs and scales the quality assurance function for a fusion energy startup, building QMS frameworks, leading inspections, and mentoring teams in a high-consequence hardware environment.
About Thea Energy:
Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.
Position Overview:
Thea Energy is seeking a experienced, entrepreneurial Director of Quality Assurance. This role is a strategic leader who possesses the startup grit to be completely hands-on on day one, with the vision to architect and scale our entire quality organization as we grow. This role requires a unique blend of high-level strategic foresight and a passionate, "roll-up-your-sleeves" execution mindset.
Key Responsibility Areas:
- Startup Agility & Execution: Act as the primary, hands-on quality practitioner initially drafting documentation, executing first-article inspections, and setting up the foundational quality frameworks from scratch.
- Team Scaling & Leadership: Develop the hiring roadmap for the quality organization; recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of quality engineers and inspectors as the company scales.
- Enterprise QMS Architecture: Architect, implement, and continuously mature an agile, enterprise-wide Quality Management System (QMS) compliant with rigorous standards (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, NQA-1) while balancing high speed execution
- Supplier Governance: Establish a world-class supplier quality engineering framework, auditing initial critical vendors and managing incoming and in-process validation for complex hardware components.
- Cross-Functional Integration: Partner intimately with engineering and manufacturing teams to implement appropriate, value add, quality checks and risk-mitigation frameworks into early-stage hardware and software designs.
- Continuous Improvement: Lead internal audits, anomaly investigations, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to drive an organizational culture of continuous improvement and safety.
Ideal Experience & Skillsets:
- 10–15+ years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance/Quality Control within high-consequence, complex industries (aerospace, defense, automotive, or advanced energy).
- Proven Startup/Scaleup Experience: Direct experience working in a fast-paced hardware startup or early-stage manufacturing environment where you successfully scaled a quality department from the ground up.
- "Player-Coach" Mentality: A demonstrated history of being equally comfortable pitching a quality strategy to executives/investors and being on the production floor troubleshooting hardware non-conformances.
- Deep Framework Knowledge: Strong familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, NQA-1, or equivalent quality frameworks.
- Safety Focus: Strong alignment with environment, health, and safety standards (OSHA 30hr Certification or equivalent experience preferred).
- Exceptional Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence cross-functional technical teams and maintain rigorous quality ethics with absolute discretion.
Company Benefits:
- Salary range $180,000-$225,000
- Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
- Employee equity stock options
- 20 days PTO
Requirements:
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call.
- Ability to work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.
Skills
As published by lever · 6 questions · 5 written answers
Basics
Resume/CV, Full name, Pronouns, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, Other URL
Short answers (1)
- When would you be available to start a full-time position at Thea Energy?
Written answers (5)
- What is your work authorization in the United States? Do you require sponsorship? (If yes, please specify) optional
- How did you hear about Thea Energy? optional
- Can you commute to Kearny, NJ or would you relocate? (If yes, which one?) optional
- What are your base salary expectations?
- What are your bonus expectations?