Quality Manager

OperationsVermont or Northeast U.S.Full-time · On-site or Remote with travel

JOB OVERVIEW

The Quality Manager reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and leads NOMAD's quality function as the company's senior quality authority, accountable for the Quality Management System, supplier and contract manufacturing quality, product compliance, and customer quality. Because NOMAD outsources its manufacturing, this role defines the quality standards our manufacturing partners and suppliers are held to and ensures those standards are consistently met. The role will initially have no direct reports, combining strategic ownership with significant hands-on execution while laying the foundation for a quality team as NOMAD grows. The position is on-site in Vermont or remote within the Northeast U.S., with regular travel to contract manufacturers, suppliers, and customer sites. NOMAD offers a competitive salary with performance-based incentives, comprehensive health benefits, retirement savings plan matching, and professional development opportunities.

The following skills, experience, and credentials are what we think are necessary to succeed in this position. If you possess many but not all of these, you are encouraged to apply anyway because you may possess additional skills and experience that could provide value to NOMAD and our customers in ways we have not imagined.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead NOMAD's quality function as the primary quality point of contact for executive leadership, customers, and external partners.
Define and execute a quality strategy and roadmap aligned with NOMAD's product, manufacturing, and growth plans.
Perform quality engineering, supplier quality, and inspection work directly in the near term, as the role will initially have no direct reports.
Manage quality priorities and budget, recommend future quality hires to the COO, and hold authority to stop shipment or production when product does not meet safety or quality requirements.
Own NOMAD's Quality Management System, including procedures, document control, and records, and lead its certification to ISO 9001 or an equivalent standard.
Lead internal audits and support external, customer, and certification body audits.
Conduct management reviews and report quality KPIs such as cost of quality, supplier performance, first-pass yield, and field performance.
Ensure quality requirements are maintained through engineering, product, and process changes.
Establish supplier quality requirements, quality agreements, inspection criteria, and acceptance standards for contract manufacturers and key component suppliers.
Direct supplier qualification, audits, capability assessments, and performance monitoring, and partner with supply chain on sourcing decisions.
Ensure production readiness through quality planning, first-article inspection, production validation, and factory acceptance testing (FAT).
Escalate and resolve significant supplier and manufacturing quality issues, traveling to facilities as required.
Own the non-conformance and CAPA processes, from documentation and containment through disposition, closure, and verification of effectiveness.
Lead root cause analysis for significant internal, supplier, and field quality issues.
Use quality data, trends, and lessons learned to reduce defects, rework, scrap, and warranty cost.
Lead quality aspects of product compliance and certification with engineering, contract manufacturers, testing laboratories, and certification bodies.
Serve as the quality interface for customers, including audits, quality requirements, complaints, and corrective action responses.
Oversee field failure analysis, returns, and warranty data, and maintain traceability for critical components and production units.
Integrate quality into new product development through design reviews, DFMEA/PFMEA, and validation planning.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and work instructions.
Ability to lead and influence across functions without direct authority, and to balance strategy with hands-on execution in a fast-paced startup environment.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills, with a commitment to product quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

8+ years of experience in quality management, quality engineering, supplier quality, or manufacturing quality, including at least 3 years in a quality leadership role.
Proven experience building, implementing, or managing a Quality Management System.
Experience leading supplier and contract manufacturing quality programs, including audits, qualification, and corrective actions. Experience with international suppliers, particularly in Asia, is a plus.
Proven experience with root cause analysis, NCR, and CAPA processes, and with production launches, first-article inspection, and factory acceptance testing.
Experience managing customer quality requirements, audits, complaints, and field issues.
Strongly preferred: experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), LFP or other lithium-ion batteries, power electronics, or industrial electrical products.
Preferred: experience with UL 9540, UL 9540A, UL 1973, UL 508A, CSA standards, NFPA 855, or other applicable BESS and electrical standards.
Preferred: experience with ISO 9001 certification, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, statistical process control, and ERP, PLM, or QMS software.

REQUIRED CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Engineering or a related technical field preferred.
ASQ CMQ/OE, CQE, CQA, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, or Lean/Six Sigma certifications are a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Regular domestic and international travel to contract manufacturers, suppliers, and customer sites.
Regular presence on the manufacturing floor and at supplier facilities, including wearing PPE and working safely in active manufacturing environments.
Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs. may be required.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. NOMAD does not guarantee visa or work permit sponsorship for this position unless otherwise stated.

COMPENSATION

$110,000 – $150,000

Annual salary, depending on experience. The final offer reflects skills, experience, and overall fit.

NOMAD is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics with respect to employment opportunities.

NOT THE RIGHT ROLE?

We're always interested in hearing from talented people. Get in touch and we'll keep you in mind for future opportunities.

Get in Touch

JOB OVERVIEW

RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead NOMAD's quality function as the primary quality point of contact for executive leadership, customers, and external partners.

Define and execute a quality strategy and roadmap aligned with NOMAD's product, manufacturing, and growth plans.

Perform quality engineering, supplier quality, and inspection work directly in the near term, as the role will initially have no direct reports.

Manage quality priorities and budget, recommend future quality hires to the COO, and hold authority to stop shipment or production when product does not meet safety or quality requirements.

Own NOMAD's Quality Management System, including procedures, document control, and records, and lead its certification to ISO 9001 or an equivalent standard.

Lead internal audits and support external, customer, and certification body audits.

Conduct management reviews and report quality KPIs such as cost of quality, supplier performance, first-pass yield, and field performance.

Ensure quality requirements are maintained through engineering, product, and process changes.

Establish supplier quality requirements, quality agreements, inspection criteria, and acceptance standards for contract manufacturers and key component suppliers.

Direct supplier qualification, audits, capability assessments, and performance monitoring, and partner with supply chain on sourcing decisions.

Ensure production readiness through quality planning, first-article inspection, production validation, and factory acceptance testing (FAT).

Escalate and resolve significant supplier and manufacturing quality issues, traveling to facilities as required.

Own the non-conformance and CAPA processes, from documentation and containment through disposition, closure, and verification of effectiveness.

Lead root cause analysis for significant internal, supplier, and field quality issues.

Use quality data, trends, and lessons learned to reduce defects, rework, scrap, and warranty cost.

Lead quality aspects of product compliance and certification with engineering, contract manufacturers, testing laboratories, and certification bodies.

Serve as the quality interface for customers, including audits, quality requirements, complaints, and corrective action responses.

Oversee field failure analysis, returns, and warranty data, and maintain traceability for critical components and production units.

Integrate quality into new product development through design reviews, DFMEA/PFMEA, and validation planning.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and work instructions.

Ability to lead and influence across functions without direct authority, and to balance strategy with hands-on execution in a fast-paced startup environment.

Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills, with a commitment to product quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

8+ years of experience in quality management, quality engineering, supplier quality, or manufacturing quality, including at least 3 years in a quality leadership role.

Proven experience building, implementing, or managing a Quality Management System.

Experience leading supplier and contract manufacturing quality programs, including audits, qualification, and corrective actions. Experience with international suppliers, particularly in Asia, is a plus.

Proven experience with root cause analysis, NCR, and CAPA processes, and with production launches, first-article inspection, and factory acceptance testing.

Experience managing customer quality requirements, audits, complaints, and field issues.

Strongly preferred: experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), LFP or other lithium-ion batteries, power electronics, or industrial electrical products.

Preferred: experience with UL 9540, UL 9540A, UL 1973, UL 508A, CSA standards, NFPA 855, or other applicable BESS and electrical standards.

Preferred: experience with ISO 9001 certification, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, statistical process control, and ERP, PLM, or QMS software.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Regular domestic and international travel to contract manufacturers, suppliers, and customer sites.

Regular presence on the manufacturing floor and at supplier facilities, including wearing PPE and working safely in active manufacturing environments.

Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs. may be required.