Director of Quality

Evolv Technology; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading AI-enabled weapons detection company seeks a Director of Quality to enhance its product lifecycle through strategic quality management. In this role, you will collaborate across departments, establishing key quality metrics and overseeing an effective quality management system. Your expertise will drive continuous improvements, ensuring product reliability and operational excellence while fostering a culture that prioritizes quality and collaboration.

Benefits

Equity as part of total compensation

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

401(k) plan with company match

Unlimited vacation policy

Quarterly stipend for perks

Tuition reimbursement

Subscription to Calm

Qualifications

• Experience leading quality initiatives and teams.
• Strong knowledge of product lifecycle quality controls.
• Excellent communication and strategic thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quality management frameworks.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of quality systems.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across functions.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Continuous Improvement

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field

Certified Quality Engineer

Tools

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Data Analysis Tools

Job description

The Elevator Pitch

Imagine the world you can help us build. One that leverages cutting-edge technology and innovative thinking to realize our vision of safer places to live, work, learn and play. We are looking for a few more great minds to join our team as we continue to grow the world's leading AI-enabled weapons detection company. If you join Evolv in this newly created position as our Director of Quality, you will support our full product lifecycle, from product design through manufacturing, order entry, and fulfillment, working across competencies as you provide quality expertise and leadership. As Evolv's Quality lead, you will focus on quality from our supplier base through first 30 days of customer installation, and serve as a continuous improvement force within the company.

Success in the Role: What are performance outcomes over the first 6-12 months you will work toward completing?

Within 30 Days:

• Build relationships across cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Customer Success, and key suppliers.
• Develop a framework for reporting key quality metrics to assess product and process performance and continually drive product
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of current quality systems, processes, and tools—identifying strengths, gaps, and immediate risks.
• Establish a working understanding of major quality gaps, reliability issues, and pain points across the product lifecycle and create a plan to enhance product reliability and operational execution
• Gain a deep understanding of the current product lifecycle, including quality controls at each phase and key performance metrics.

Within the First 6 Months:

• Develop and implement a framework for reporting key quality metrics to assess both product and process performance. Use these metrics to establish baselines and prioritize improvement areas.
• Implement a Quality Management System (QMS) that integrates end-to-end quality data flows — from Salesforce through to Arena (PLM).
• Launch a closed-loop problem resolution process to minimize the impact of field issues, including root cause identification, corrective action, and prevention of recurrence.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives with clear owners, measurable outcomes, and a sense of urgency. Early wins should demonstrate value and encourage momentum.
• Form strategic partnerships with leaders across functional groups, reinforcing that quality is not owned by one department, but embedded across the business.
• Participate actively in phase gate and design reviews, ensuring production readiness with a focus on quality, reliability, and manufacturability.

Within the First Year:

• Achieve measurable improvements in product quality KPIs including: yield, first-pass success rates, and reductions on field issue frequencies.
• Influence the design of robust production testing processes that prevent nonconformities and support long-term product reliability.
• Create clear, documented understanding of handoffs, gaps, and recurring pain points across the product lifecycle, along with an actionable plan to close them.
• Drive a culture of operational excellence where quality is prioritized regardless of organizational boundaries, through consistent engagement, shared goals, and accountability mechanisms.
• Provide program-level visibility and coordination across all quality-related initiatives, working in partnership with departmental program managers to ensure alignment, timelines, and successful execution.
• Establish a roadmap for scaling continuous improvement and reliability engineering practices, with a longer-term vision for sustainable, high-quality growth.
  

The Work: What type of work will you be doing? What assignments, requirements, or skills will you be performing on a regular basis?

As Evolv's first Quality lead, you will have the opportunity to help us define the quality function from supplier to customer. This role is both strategic and hands-on, as we need to build the "quality plane" while simultaneously flying it. You will collaborate closely with leadership and senior staff across the organization to identify, build, and maintain quality standards for all aspects of our business. You will work with field-facing teams to understand customer feedback and product experience, which you will funnel to product design and sustaining engineering teams. In addition, you will work closely with our production team at our contract manufacturing site to identify areas for improvement in production processes. We anticipate regular reporting to our executive leadership team, with clear KPIs established to track progress.

What is the leadership like for this role? What is the structure and culture of the team?

The Director of Quality will report to Evolv's Head of Supply Chain and Procurement. The initial priority will be on identifying areas of improvement from our Supplier base through first 30 days of install, while building out a robust quality management program. The team may expand as the functions and scope of the program increase over time.

Where is the role located?

The location of this role is flexible near Waltham, MA, as this is where the majority of the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Field and Tech Support teams are based.

What is the salary range?

The base salary range for this full-time position is $140,000 - $200,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in role posting reflect the base salary only, and do not include commission, equity, or benefits.

Benefits

At Evolv, we're on a mission to help make public spaces safer through innovative security technology. Rooted in our values ofauthenticity, kindness, courage, drive,andfun, we offer the opportunity to make a real impact. Our team thrives in a supportive, honest environment where creativity and collaboration are celebrated, and where we challenge the status quo to keep improving.

When you join Evolv, you'll not only work with cutting-edge technology but also enjoy competitive benefits that support your well-being, and personal growth.

Our Benefits Include:

• Equity as part of your total compensation package
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• A 401(k) plan (and 2% company match)
• Unlimited vacation policy
• Quarterly stipend for perks and benefits that matter most to you
• Tuition reimbursement to support your ongoing learning and development
• Subscription to Calm

Evolv Technology ("Evolv") is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace, and all employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law in the locations where we operate. Evolv will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Evolv is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of the job application process, please connect with us at [e-mail].