Orbitalindustries
Quality Manager
9mo ago
Worldwidequality managementsupplier validationprocess developmentcontract manufacturingmanufacturing setup
Leading quality management and department setup for advanced AI-driven industrial hardware products including cooling systems and modular data centers.
Responsibilities
- Reliability & field quality: track MTBF/FFR, drive failure analysis (5-Whys, fishbone, FTA), manage warranty/RMA and design/process feedback loops.
- Continuous improvement & COPQ reduction: DOE, SPC, yield improvement, and cost-of-quality tracking; implement mistake-proofing and automation.
- Risk management: multi-tier mapping, single-point-of-failure mitigation, dual sourcing/tooling, business continuity playbooks.
- Data & reporting: dashboards for FPY, DPPM, escapes, NCR/CAPA aging, Cp/Cpk; automated alerts for trends and thresholds.
- Commissioning & site quality (modular DCs): align FAT/SAT with L1–L5 commissioning; define install standards (purge/evac/charge, wiring, firmware); train service partners.
Conditions
- Competitive salary and pension with company match
- Flexible and generous paid time off
- Excellent health, dental and vision insurance plans
- Equity package - the ability to own part of Orbital Materials as we grow
- Regular company offsites
- The experience of working in a cutting-edge organization dedicated to a better future
- Orbital is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Other
- Orbital is an AI-first industrial company building hardware from the atoms up. Our goal is to lead an industrial renaissance to advance critical technologies and secure our planet for generations to come.
- We’re starting with critical hardware for AI data centers to make them more performant and sustainable. Every Orbital product is invented with our AI platform — uniting AI-automated hardware engineering with AI-designed material science to achieve breakthrough real-world performance.
- We have an ambitious mission and need excellent people in all our teams - AI research, operations, advanced materials, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and manufacturing.
- Working at Orbital means working in tightly integrated, vertically integrated teams. We’re looking for people who have a love of physical technology, curiosity in AI and a desire to learn.
- In this role, you will be building your ideal team of professionals and establishing the quality department for a new suite of data center related products including a 2 Phase Direct to Chip cooling system utilizing a new novel coolant discovered by Orbitals AI technology, Coolant Distribution Units, Dual Use Chiller and Modular Data Centers.
- Initially, this role will start with outsourcing production to contract manufacturing requiring the establishment of new processes and procedures for validating and onboarding suppliers.
- In our 2nd phase, we will be establishing our in-house manufacturing capabilities requiring building of teams and processes from the ground up.
- You will own product and process quality from concept through field life. Build a scalable QMS, prevent defects at the source, and ensure every unit (and module) ships safe, compliant, and reliable.
- Source & qualify CMs and key suppliers: conduct technical/commercial audits (capacity, process capability, ISO 9001/14001, special processes related to quality, EHS)
- APQP at CMs: define CTQs/CTPs, control plans, PFMEA/DFMEA alignment, MSA, submission/approval of vendors; oversee FOK pilot builds.
- Quality agreements & documentation: establish supplier quality agreements, traceability schema (serial/lot genealogy), inspection/test instructions, packaging/labeling/handling standards.
- Performance management: implement supplier scorecards (OTD, PPM, responsiveness, audit scores); run QBRs; drive SCAR/CAPA with effectiveness verification and aging control.
- Field & commissioning interface for CM builds: define FAT/SAT witness criteria, release gates, and containment plans; triage escapes with 8D/A3 and feed lessons into CM control plans.
- Build the QMS: implement ISO 9001 backbone (coordinate with 14001/45001 where relevant); write SOPs/WIs, MRB/CAPA governance, document control, and e-sign workflows.
- Factory quality architecture: stand up in-process, and final test (FAT) for CDUs and modular skids; define station-level CTQs, stop-the-line criteria, etc.
- People & org: hire, train, and coach inspectors, technicians, SQEs/CQEs; set tiered daily management (tier boards, paretos, andons) and a prevention-first culture (poka-yoke, error-proof fixtures).
- Systems integration: integrate Quality with PLM/ERP/MES for single source of truth; enable digital travelers, barcoding/RFID traceability, and automated data capture from test stands.
- Ramp & readiness: plan EVT/DVT/PVT at the plant; qualify production lines/process windows; lock control plans and release criteria before rate increase.
- Compliance & certifications: secure/maintain with the required multi-departmental team members UL/CSA/CE/UKCA, EMC/LVD, UL 508A for panels, pressure equipment (ASME/PED, CRN), refrigerant handling safety, RoHS/REACH documentation.
- Start-up Mindset: ability to work within the “gray” as a valuable team member to refine, clarify, and continuously improve and automate processes and designs.
- 8–12+ years in complex electro-mechanical/thermal hardware quality; cooling/pressure systems (CDUs, cold plates, manifolds) or similar manufacturing.
- Experience or familiarity with using AI to improve and automate processes
- Mastery of APQP, DFMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA (GR&R), SPC, 8D/A3, DOE.
- Supplier quality leadership (audits, special-process approval, global containment).
- QMS ownership (ISO 9001) and audit management; rigorous configuration/document control.
- Data fluency (Minitab or equivalent, advanced Excel; BI tools).
- Strong communication, shop-floor presence, and change leadership.