Quality Management System (QMS) Manager

FirstElement Fuel; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstElement Fuel is seeking a Quality Management professional to lead the QMS, drive audits, and ensure compliance across hydrogen and high‑reliability systems. You will establish SOPs, control plans, and CAPA processes, while guiding root-cause investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.

Applicants should have 5+ years in manufacturing quality, ISO 9001 experience, and a strong ability to partner with Engineering, Procurement, and Operations to uphold safety and quality standards at

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field.
• 5+ years of quality management experience in manufacturing or industrial operations.
• Experience implementing or managing ISO 9001 QMS systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead certification efforts, surveillance audits, and recertification activities.
• Oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities and establish quality standards.
• Drive root cause investigations using 8D, Fishbone, and 5 Why methodologies.
• Manage supplier quality programs including supplier qualification, onboarding, audits, and scorecards.
• Support regulatory compliance with codes and standards (ASME, NFPA, OSHA, DOT, etc.).
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve product quality and operational performance.
• Lead internal audits and layered process audits and mentor teams on quality best practices.

Skills

Quality management

Root cause analysis

CAPA systems

Audits

Supplier quality

ISO 9001

Reading drawings

Cross-functional leadership

Process improvement

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Quality/Manufacturing

Tools

ERP/MRP (Acumatica)

Job description

Description

Quality Management System (QMS)

• Develop, implement, and maintain the company QMS in alignment with:
• ISO 9001
• Customer-specific requirements
• Hydrogen and industrial gas industry standards
• Internal operational procedures
• Lead certification efforts, surveillance audits, and recertification activities.
• Establish and maintain:
• SOPs and work instructions
• Inspection plans
• Control plans
• FMEAs
• Nonconformance procedures
• CAPA processes
• Document control systems
• Calibration programs
• Traceability requirements
• Ensure proper revision control and quality documentation management.

Manufacturing & Operational Quality

• Oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities.
• Develop quality standards for:
• Precision components in cryogenic pumping equipment
• Hydrogen dispensing systems
• Pressure vessels and piping assemblies
• Mechanical and electrical assemblies
• Welded components
• Cryogenic and high-pressure systems
• Drive root cause investigations using:
• 8D
• Fishbone analysis
• 5 Why methodology
• Corrective and preventive actions
• Monitor KPIs related to:
• Scrap
• Rework
• Supplier defects
• Warranty claims
• First-pass yield
• Customer complaints
• Lead internal audits and layered process audits.

Supplier Quality & Supply Chain Support

• Develop and manage supplier quality programs including:
• Supplier qualification
• Supplier onboarding
• Supplier audits
• Approved vendor list management
• Supplier scorecards
• Risk assessments
• Work closely with Procurement and Engineering to evaluate suppliers for quality, lead time, compliance, and technical capability.
• Support supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and containment activities.

Regulatory & Safety Compliance

• Support compliance with applicable codes and standards, including where applicable:
• ASME
• NFPA
• CGA
• UL
• CSA
• OSHA
• DOT
• Hydrogen fueling and compressed gas regulations
• Ensure quality requirements are integrated into hydrogen safety and operational procedures.
• Support customer audits, regulatory inspections, and field investigations.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, Procurement, and Operations to improve product quality and operational performance.
• Support new product introduction (NPI), design reviews, and process validation activities.
• Provide training and mentorship related to quality standards and best practices.
• Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of quality management experience in manufacturing or industrial operations
• Experience implementing or managing ISO 9001 QMS systems
• Strong understanding of:
• Root cause analysis
• CAPA systems
• Inspection methodologies
• Supplier quality management
• Manufacturing process controls
• Experience leading audits and interacting with customers and suppliers
• Ability to read and interpret:
• Engineering drawings
• Specifications
• BOMs
• Procedures
• Technical standards

Preferred

• Experience in hydrogen, industrial gas, energy, aerospace, automotive, pressure systems, cryogenics, or high-reliability manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with:
• ASME pressure systems
• Hydrogen fueling infrastructure
• Weld quality standards
• Electrical/mechanical assembly quality systems
• Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement experience
• ASQ certifications (CQM, CQE, CQA, etc.)
• ERP/MRP system experience such as Acumatica
• Experience with the Toyota Production System

Key Competencies

• Leadership and accountability
• Process-oriented mindset
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Technical problem-solving
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Attention to detail in safety-critical environments