Senior Quality Engineer, Switchboards

What you'll do

Giga Energy builds mission-critical power infrastructure for AI datacenters — switchboards, panelboards, unit substations, and modular data centers delivered to hyperscaler and utility customers across North America. As Quality Manager, you will own the full quality value chain at our Long Beach facility. From supplier qualification and incoming inspection through in-process assembly controls, UL compliance, and post-delivery customer issue resolution. You will also build and maintain the QMS from the ground up and lead a growing quality team.

Responsibilities

1. Quality Management System (QMS)

• Develop and implement a QMS aligned with ISO 9001; create and maintain the Quality Manual, quality policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Lead internal and external audits, including ISO certification efforts
• Interface with UL Compliance Officers and third-party agencies during audits.
• Maintain product compliance matrix mapping each product line to applicable UL, NEC, NEMA, and customer-specific requirements.

2. Supplier Quality — China, Mexico & India

• Develop and maintain the Approved Vendor List (AVL); lead supplier qualification, periodic re-qualification audits, and scorecard reviews.
• Write and manage Supplier Quality Agreements (SQAs) covering material certifications, First Article Inspection (FAI), critical specs, and dimensional tolerances.
• Issue Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) and track to closure using 8D methodology; drive root cause and permanent corrective action on repeat escapes.
• Implement pre-shipment inspection checkpoints at overseas CM facilities to prevent quality escapes from reaching Giga facilities.
• Ensure all incoming materials meet specifications — manage PPAP-equivalent documentation (material certs, CoC, test reports).

3. Incoming, In-Process & Final Inspection

• Design and maintain the incoming quality control (IQC) process — AQL-based sampling plans accept/reject criteria, and non-conforming material (NCM) disposition workflow.
• Build inspection checklists for critical components: bus bars, breakers , CTs, SPDs..
• Define and implement in-process quality control plans (QCPs) and visual work instructions (VWIs) for safety-critical assembly operations — bus bar torquing, wiring termination, CT secondary connections.
• Lead final outgoing inspection and electrical test protocol: insulation resistance, continuity, CT polarity, and breaker functional tests — 100% on every unit.
• Maintain serialized test records and Certificate of Conformance (CoC) for every shipment.
• Establish routine, type, and special test protocols for Switchboards, panelboards and unit substations.

4. Team Leadership

• Build, hire, and lead the quality team at GLB — inspectors, quality engineers, and technicians.
• Train employees on quality standards, inspection methods, and best practices; maintain training records and competency matrices.
• Promote a culture of quality and accountability across manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain.

5. Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause analysis using structured tools; 8D, Fishbone, 5-Why, for internal non-conformances and field failures.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers on Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to reduce defects, scrap, and rework.
• Monitor and publish quality KPIs: incoming PPM, first-pass yield (FPY), scrap and rework rate, warranty claim rate, and Cost of Quality (CoQ) as % of revenue.
• Build and maintain live digital systems to capture, track, and resolve NCRs, SCARs, and customer complaints; maintain the calibration register for all gauges and test equipment.

6. Customer & Compliance

• Own the customer complaint process end-to-end — intake, on-site investigation, 8D report, and formal closure within SLA (containment within 24 hours, full 8D within 30 days).
• Manage warranty claim adjudication; represent Giga at customer sites during field investigations and commissioning inspections.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety and environmental regulations across all operating locations.
• Interface with customers and regulatory agencies during audits, UL inspections, and project quality reviews.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering or quality management in electrical, power, or industrial manufacturing.
• Solid understanding of UL 891/67 compliance or equivalent LV switchgear/panelboard standards.
• Experience managing supplier quality in an international CM environment — audits, corrective actions, and FAI documentation.
• Proficiency in IQC sampling methodology and incoming inspection practices.
• Hands-on experience building PFMEA, control plans, and visual work instructions.
• Strong root cause analysis skills — 8D, Fishbone, 5-Why, A3.
• Proven ability to build and lead cross-functional quality teams across multiple sites.
• Strong communicator — able to write clear technical reports, interface with customers, and present quality data to leadership.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-border engineering and production teams (China, Mexico, India, US).

Bonus points

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green Belt, or equivalent certification.
• Experience implementing or certifying a QMS to ISO 9001 from an early stage.
• Experience using digital quality tools — ERP quality modules, to track NCRs, SCARs, and KPIs.

Benefits

• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
• Equity (options) in a rapidly growing startup
• 401(k) with 4% employer match
• Unlimited PTO
• Parental leave
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Commuter benefits