Quality Engineer

Protagonist Management LLC; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Exowatt is looking for a Quality Engineer to oversee quality across our supply chain and manufacturing operations in Austin, TX. You will qualify parts, investigate root causes, and build quality systems for reliability in this high-impact role.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field and has over 4 years of quality engineering experience. Benefits include competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and relocation assistance.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of quality engineering experience in hardware manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with supplier quality audits and inspections.
• Strong working knowledge of statistical tools and methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Own incoming inspection and quality for assigned commodities.
• Partner with supply chain to qualify new suppliers.
• Develop inspection and control plans for purchased parts.

Skills

Supplier quality audits

Root-cause methodologies

Statistical process control

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering

Tools

GD&T

Metrology tools (CMM, calipers)

Job description

Exowatt is revolutionizing the energy landscape for the AI era with our groundbreaking P3 system that captures solar energy, stores it as heat, and generates electricity on demand. Founded in 2023 and backed by leading investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Sam Altman, and Felicis, we’re committed to providing clean, modular, and scalable power that meets the rapidly growing demands of AI infrastructure. Our mission is to make sustainable renewable energy always available and almost free, enabling technological advancement while protecting our planet.

We’re hiring a Quality Engineer to own quality across our supply chain and manufacturing operations. You’ll work with suppliers to qualify parts and processes, drive root‑cause investigations when things go wrong, and build the quality systems that let us scale without sacrificing reliability. This is a hands‑on, high‑impact role for someone who likes being on the factory floor and at supplier sites as much as at a desk.

This role is based in our Austin, TX facility. Relocation is required, and relocation assistance will be provided if necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Own incoming inspection, in‑process, and final quality for assigned commodities, sub‑assemblies, and finished product
• Partner with the supply chain team to qualify new suppliers — on‑site audits, first‑article inspections (FAI), PPAP‑style submissions, and process capability reviews
• Develop inspection plans, control plans, and acceptance criteria for purchased parts and in‑house manufactured components
• Lead root‑cause investigations (8D, 5‑Why, Ishikawa) on supplier defects and internal manufacturing non‑conformances; drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to closure
• Manage the non‑conformance (NCR) and supplier corrective action request (SCAR) processes end‑to‑end
• Partner with design engineering on DFM/DFA reviews and help translate design intent into manufacturable, inspectable specifications (GD&T, critical‑to‑quality features)
• Track and report quality metrics — PPM, first‑pass yield, cost of poor quality, supplier scorecards — and use them to drive improvement
• Support new product introduction (NPI) from prototype through production ramp, including process validation and pilot builds
• Build and maintain quality documentation: inspection procedures, work instructions, quality records, and calibration programs
• Help stand up and evolve Exowatt's quality management system (QMS) — we’re early enough that you’ll shape it, not just operate inside it
• Travel to supplier facilities domestically and occasionally internationally (~20%)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or a related engineering field
• 4+ years of quality engineering experience in a hardware manufacturing environment
• Hands‑on experience with supplier quality — audits, FAI, PPAP, SCARs, and supplier development
• Strong working knowledge of root‑cause methodologies (8D, 5‑Why, fishbone) and statistical tools (SPC, Cpk, DOE basics)
• Fluency with GD&T and the ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings
• Experience with metrology and inspection tools (CMM, calipers, micrometers, optical comparators, etc.)
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 and the fundamentals of building or operating a QMS
• Clear technical writing and the ability to communicate findings to suppliers, engineers, and leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in energy, aerospace, automotive, industrial equipment, or other regulated/high‑reliability hardware industries
• Exposure to welded or brazed assemblies, pressure vessels, high‑temperature materials, or thermal systems
• ASQ certification (CQE, CQA, or CSSBB)
• Experience standing up a QMS at an early‑stage company, or taking one from ISO 9001 toward AS9100, ISO 14001, or similar
• Six Sigma Green or Black Belt
• Experience with ERP/MES/QMS platforms (NetSuite, Arena, Propel, or similar)

What We Offer

Competitive salary and equity options.

Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.

A dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

Opportunities for professional growth and development in a rapidly evolving industry.

Relocation assistance.