Quality Assurance Manager

Translucent Solar; Summerville (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Translucent Solar seeks a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the quality program for a solar module manufacturing plant. You will steward the Quality Management System, ensure product conformance, and drive cross-functional quality initiatives.

Responsibilities include managing inspections, audits, CAPA, supplier quality, and continuous improvement efforts, with a focus on traceability and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; ISO 9001 Lead Auditor or Six Sigma CQE preferred.
• 5+ years in quality control/assurance in manufacturing with at least 2 years in a managerial role.
• Experience in the solar panel or renewable energy manufacturing industry is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and support the QMS per ISO 9001 and applicable quality standards.
• Oversee incoming, in-process, and final quality inspections, testing activities, audits, and control plans.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and applicable solar module standards.
• Monitor quality performance, analyze trends, and lead root cause analysis and CAPA.
• Lead internal audits and support external audits by customers and certification bodies.
• Manage customer complaints and corrective actions.
• Supervise, train, and develop Quality team members.
• Promote quality awareness and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, and Supply Chain to resolve issues.
• Utilize quality tools to reduce defects, scrap, and process variation.
• Review solar module testing and support related test activities.
• Prepare and present quality metrics and improvement initiatives to management.
• Ensure quality activities align with safety and environmental requirements.
• Lead supplier quality activities including supplier audits and corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Quality management

Education

Bachelor's degree (Materials Science/EE/ME)

Tools

QMS software

ERP systems

SPC

FMEA

8D problem solving

Job description

The Quality Assurance Manager leads all quality-related activities within the solar module manufacturing plant and handles ensuring that products consistently meet customer, regulatory, and company requirements. This role oversees the quality management system, incoming and production quality controls, product testing, supplier and customer quality issues, and nonconforming material management. The Quality Manager works closely with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements, reduce quality-related losses, strengthen traceability, and build a culture where quality is understood as a shared responsibility across the organization.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and support the Quality Management System (QMS) per ISO 9001 and applicable quality standards.
• Oversee incoming, in-process, and final quality inspections, testing activities, audits, and control plans throughout the manufacturing process.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and applicable solar module standards.
• Monitor quality performance, find trends, and lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, and preventive actions.
• Lead internal audits and support external audits conducted by customers, certification bodies, and regulatory organizations.
• Manage customer complaints, product quality concerns, and corrective responses.
• Supervise, train, and develop Quality team members.
• Promote quality awareness, continuous improvement, and adherence to established procedures throughout the organization.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, Supply Chain, and other departments to resolve quality issues and improve manufacturing processes.
• Use quality tools such as SPC, FMEA, 8D, CAPA, MSA, Control Plans and root cause analysis to reduce defects, scrap, and process variation.
• Review and support solar module testing, including EL testing, I-V curve testing, mechanical load testing, thermal cycling, and other applicable tests.
• Prepare and present quality metrics, audit results, corrective actions, and improvement initiatives to management.
• Ensure quality activities are performed in accordance with company safety and environmental requirements.
• Lead supplier quality activities including supplier qualification, performance monitoring, corrective actions, and supplier audits.
• Establish and manage processes for identification, segregation, disposition, and reporting of nonconforming materials and products.
• Ensure full product and material traceability throughout the manufacturing process and maintain records in accordance with customer, regulatory, and certification requirements.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Advanced certifications in quality management (e.g., ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, Six Sigma Black Belt, CQE) are preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

5+ years of experience in quality control or quality assurance within manufacturing, with at least 2 years in a managerial role. Experience in the solar panel or renewable energy manufacturing industry is highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of quality standards for solar panels (e.g., IEC 61215, IEC 61730).
• Knowledge of supplier quality management, supplier audits, and corrective action processes.Expertise in quality tools and methodologies such as SPC, FMEA, 8D problem-solving, and root cause analysis. Familiarity with solar panel testing processes (e.g., EL testing, thermal cycling, mechanical load testing, I-V curve testing).
• Understanding of product traceability systems and manufacturing record management.Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and reporting.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to supporting high-quality standards.
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or equivalent (preferred)
• Proficiency in quality management systems (QMS) and ERP software.