Head of Quality – Electric Bus (Electric Vehicle / e-Bus),
- Plant Director
Job Purpose
Lead and own the quality strategy, systems, and execution across the complete lifecycle of electric buses—from concept through production, assembly, integration, and after-sales service. Drive product and process quality improvements, ensure regulatory and safety compliance, and champion a quality-first culture to meet customer expectations, reduce defects, and optimize total cost of quality.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Strategy and Governance
- Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with ISO 9001, IATF 16949 (where applicable), ISO 26262 (functional safety for EVs), ISO 21434 (cybersecurity for automotive), and other relevant standards.
- Define quality objectives, KPIs, and dashboards. Establish annual quality plan with clear milestones for design, development, production, supply chain, and service.
- Lead quality risk management (APQP/PPAP, FMEA, risk registers) for all programs, including new model launches and platform changes.
- Drive continuous improvement programs (Six Sigma, Lean, TPM) and establish a robust problem-solving culture (8D, DMAIC).
Design and Development Quality
- Collaborate with Product, Systems, and Electrical/Mechanical Engineering to embed Quality by Design (QbD) into concept, design, and validation phases.
- Establish design quality gates, design reviews, and verification/validation plans focusing on reliability, safety, endurance, battery management, thermal management, propulsion, and charging interfaces.
- Oversee supplier quality during the development phase; ensure design data package completeness, DFMEA, DFM, and test protocols.
Manufacturing and Process Quality
- Create and maintain process quality standards for assembly lines (drivetrain, battery pack, composite structures, interior, electronics), robotics, and final vehicle inspection.
- Lead process capability studies, control plans, work instruction governance, and defect taxonomy. Implement statistical process control (SPC) where appropriate.
- Drive quality in new plant builds and line-side quality assurance, including SOPs, visual management, 5S, and error-proofing (Poka-yoke).
Supplier and Parts Quality
- Establish and manage supplier quality assurance (SQA) processes for battery cells, power electronics, motors, thermal systems, cabling, chassis, and body components.
- Set supplier quality expectations, conduct audits, manage supplier corrective actions (SCARs), and ensure supply chain traceability and compliance.
- Lead root-cause analysis for supplier defects and implement robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Safety, Compliance, and Reliability
- Ensure compliance with automotive safety standards (ISO 26262), functional safety lifecycles, and homologation requirements.
- Lead reliability programs (RBDs, MTBF analysis, field failure data) and develop durability strategies for EV-specific stressors (battery abuse, thermal cycling, vibration).
- Own the quality aspects of safety-critical features and electronic control units (ECUs), interfaces, and cybersecurity considerations.
Quality Analytics and Data Management
- Build and manage a Quality Analytics platform with real-time data collection from manufacturing, testing, and field data.
- Use data-driven approaches to identify trends, hotspots, and risk, and prioritize improvement projects.
- Produce regular quality reports for executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
Customer Experience and After-Sales Quality
- Own post-delivery quality feedback loops, warranty analytics, and service part quality improvements.
- Collaborate with After-Sales, Field Service, and Customer Support to reduce warranty costs and improve first-time-right repair rates.
- Lead root cause investigations for field incidents and coordinate recall management if needed.
People and Organization
- Build, mentor, and lead the Quality organization (permanent and contractor staff) with a focus on capability development and succession planning.
- Promote a culture of quality, safety, and continuous learning. Foster cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Customer Support.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical / Mechanical / Automotive Engineering, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
- Certifications in quality management (CQE, CQM, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt) are a plus.
Experience
- 20+ years of experience in automotive/EV quality, with demonstrated leadership of quality programs across design, manufacturing, and service.
- Experience with electric propulsion systems, battery packs, thermal management, power electronics, and charging infrastructure is highly desirable.
- Proven track record in leading supplier quality for complex components and in managing multi-site quality operations.
Technical Skills
- Deep understanding of QMS standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949), automotive functional safety (ISO 26262), and automotive cybersecurity (ISO 21434) considerations.
- Strong analytical skills: SPC, DOE, FMEA, root cause analysis (8D), CAPA, RCA.
- Proficiency with quality software/tools (e.g., Minitab, Jira/Confluence, SAP/APO, Tableau/Power BI) and data analytics.
- Familiarity with EV-specific testing (battery, BMS, EV charging standards, EMC/EMI, functional safety testing).
Soft Skills
- Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management.
- Change management skills and ability to drive cross-functional alignment.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution abilities.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Defect rate (internal and supplier) and First-Time Quality (FTQ)
- Supplier quality performance (SQI, SCAR closure rate, on-time corrective actions)
- Warranty cost per vehicle and field failure rate
- MTBF/DRE (design and reliability metrics)
- Audit pass rates and QMS compliance
- On-time completion of quality gates and PPAP submissions
- Quality-related cost of poor quality (COPQ) reduction
Nice-to-Haves
- Experience with
large-scale bus manufacturing or commercial vehicles
- Knowledge of battery safety certifications (UN 38.3, IEC 62616) and fast-charging standards (CCS, CHAdeMO)
- Experience with modular, scalable platforms for mass production EVs
- Multilingual capabilities for global operations
How to Apply
Please forward your resume and a cover letter if desired detailing: -
- Your experience leading quality for EVs or automotive programs
- Key quality improvements you led (with quantified results)
- Examples of supplier quality management and CAPA effectiveness
- Your leadership approach and how you build quality culture
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