The Role
Lead and build an enterprise-quality organization from scratch: implement and mature an ISO/AS/NQA-compliant QMS, perform first-article inspections, establish supplier quality governance, run audits and RCA, and hire and mentor quality engineers while integrating quality into engineering and manufacturing.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Thea Energy:
Thea Energy is leveraging recent breakthroughs in stellarator physics and engineering to create a faster and simpler approach to commercializing fusion energy. The company is reinventing the stellarator using computer-controlled arrays of planar coils thereby replacing the intricate, complex modular magnets required in all other stellarator architectures. Thea Energy is on a mission to create a limitless source of zero emission energy for a sustainable future.
Position Overview:
Thea Energy is seeking a experienced, entrepreneurial Director of Quality Assurance. This role is a strategic leader who possesses the startup grit to be completely hands-on on day one, with the vision to architect and scale our entire quality organization as we grow. This role requires a unique blend of high-level strategic foresight and a passionate, "roll-up-your-sleeves" execution mindset.
Key Responsibility Areas:
- Startup Agility & Execution: Act as the primary, hands-on quality practitioner initially drafting documentation, executing first-article inspections, and setting up the foundational quality frameworks from scratch.
- Team Scaling & Leadership: Develop the hiring roadmap for the quality organization; recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of quality engineers and inspectors as the company scales.
- Enterprise QMS Architecture: Architect, implement, and continuously mature an agile, enterprise-wide Quality Management System (QMS) compliant with rigorous standards (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, NQA-1) while balancing high speed execution
- Supplier Governance: Establish a world-class supplier quality engineering framework, auditing initial critical vendors and managing incoming and in-process validation for complex hardware components.
- Cross-Functional Integration: Partner intimately with engineering and manufacturing teams to implement appropriate, value add, quality checks and risk-mitigation frameworks into early-stage hardware and software designs.
- Continuous Improvement: Lead internal audits, anomaly investigations, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to drive an organizational culture of continuous improvement and safety.
Ideal Experience & Skillsets:
- 10–15+ years of progressive experience in Quality Assurance/Quality Control within high-consequence, complex industries (aerospace, defense, automotive, or advanced energy).
- Proven Startup/Scaleup Experience: Direct experience working in a fast-paced hardware startup or early-stage manufacturing environment where you successfully scaled a quality department from the ground up.
- "Player-Coach" Mentality: A demonstrated history of being equally comfortable pitching a quality strategy to executives/investors and being on the production floor troubleshooting hardware non-conformances.
- Deep Framework Knowledge: Strong familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, NQA-1, or equivalent quality frameworks.
- Safety Focus: Strong alignment with environment, health, and safety standards (OSHA 30hr Certification or equivalent experience preferred).
- Exceptional Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence cross-functional technical teams and maintain rigorous quality ethics with absolute discretion.
Company Benefits:
- Salary range $180,000-$225,000
- Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
- Employee equity stock options
- 20 days PTO
Requirements:
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call.
- Ability to work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.
It’s not necessary to meet all of the skillsets outlined above. Please feel free to send us a note and tell us why you would still be a great fit for this role or Thea Energy.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Thea Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a company of diverse backgrounds. By creating a diverse environment, we will bring new ideas and approaches to solving some of the world’s hardest (and most important) problems. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, family or marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, or other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
Skills Required
- 10-15+ years progressive experience in Quality Assurance/Quality Control within aerospace, defense, automotive, or advanced energy
- Proven experience scaling a quality department in a hardware startup or early-stage manufacturing environment
- Hands-on 'player-coach' ability to execute inspections and troubleshoot production non-conformances
- Experience architecting, implementing, and maturing an enterprise Quality Management System (QMS)
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, NQA-1 or equivalent quality frameworks
- Establishing supplier quality engineering frameworks, auditing vendors, and managing incoming/in-process validation
- Leading internal audits, anomaly investigations, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence cross-functional technical teams
- OSHA 30hr Certification or equivalent experience
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work nights/weekends/on-call
- Ability to work in a facility with industrial hazards (heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage/current, pressure systems, cryogenics)
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The Company
What We Do
Thea Energy is a fusion energy company dedicated to creating a limitless source of zero-emission energy for a sustainable future. By reinventing the stellarator using arrays of mass-manufacturable magnets and dynamic software controls, they aim to commercialize scalable and economical fusion power systems, transitioning from scientific research to practical, commercial operations.
