Senior Director, Quality Assurance

Nidec Corporation; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Nidec Corporation is looking for a Senior Director in Quality Assurance to lead quality governance in their Motion & Energy business unit. You will be responsible for establishing Quality Management Systems and ensuring quality standards across all operations.

The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of experience in engineering and quality leadership roles, a Bachelor's in Engineering, and strong analytical skills. This position requires up to 50% travel and significant collaboration with organizational leaders.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in quality or technical leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in leading quality assessments and audits.
• Deep expertise in Quality Management Systems and engineering quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead and define Quality Management Systems across the organization.
• Conduct quality assessments and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Influence engineering and operational decisions through quality data.

Skills

Leadership in Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Risk Management

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Six Sigma

DFMEA

PFMEA

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Director, Quality Assurance to lead quality governance and assurance across our Motion & Energy (MOEN) business unit. This role is responsible for defining, governing, and assuring Quality Management Systems (QMS) and quality standards worldwide, providing independent oversight to strengthen quality rigor, consistency, and risk management across critical functions.

What You'll Do

• Lead Quality Governance & QMS – Define, establish, and maintain MOEN‑wide Quality Management Systems aligned with Nidec corporate and regulatory standards.
• Align core quality principles with the unique operational needs of each business segment and establish consistent quality expectations across engineering, new product development, sourcing, and manufacturing interfaces.
• Partner closely with MOEN Technology and Operations leadership to embed quality rigor across the lifecycle.
• Drive Quality Assurance & Risk Visibility – Lead cross‑segment quality assessments, audits, and maturity reviews; evaluate engineering and product quality rigor, including design controls, change management, and root cause effectiveness.
• Identify systemic risks, trends, and recurring issues impacting product integrity and customer outcomes; ensure corrective actions are implemented and validated to prevent recurrence.
• Strengthen Engineering & Product Quality – Provide expert guidance on complex engineering quality challenges, failure modes, and prevention strategies; influence engineering and operational decisions through data, governance frameworks, and technical credibility.
• Improve quality outcomes throughout the full product lifecycle—from concept through production.
• Build Capability & Enable Adoption – Define MOEN‑wide QMS and quality training strategies based on capability gaps and audit findings, promote consistent application and adoption of quality practices across business segments, drive knowledge sharing, benchmarking, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor Performance & Drive Continuous Improvement – Define quality KPIs, dashboards, and review cadences; analyze performance trends, identify early risk indicators, and lead MOEN‑wide continuous improvement initiatives informed by QMS performance and audit outcomes.
• Partner & Influence Across the Organization – Coordinate with Nidec Corporation Japan (NCJ) and peer Quality leaders, support executive decision‑making by translating quality performance and risk into clear, actionable insight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or similar required); advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in engineering, quality, or technical leadership roles within industrial, manufacturing, or engineering‑driven organizations.
• Demonstrated success leading multi‑site or multi‑business quality assessments, audits, or transformation efforts.
• Deep expertise in Quality Management Systems (QMS) and engineering quality disciplines across the product lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge of design controls, change management, and root cause methodologies (e.g., DFMEA, PFMEA, 4M, Six Sigma).
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders without direct authority.
• Experience operating effectively in complex, matrixed, global organizations.
• Ability to translate quality data and risk into clear executive‑level insights and decisions.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership presence.
• Ability to work across diverse cultures and geographies.
• Fluency in English required.

Work Environment & Travel

This role requires up to 50% travel and involves a combination of factory‑based engagement and corporate collaboration. While some work can be performed virtually, success depends on building strong, in‑person relationships across manufacturing sites, engineering teams, and leadership groups.

Why This Role Matters

• Ensure consistent and effective QMS implementation.
• Drive alignment with corporate quality expectations.
• Identify and mitigate systemic risks early.
• Elevate long‑term product, engineering, and operational quality performance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your EEO rights as an applicant, please visit: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf