Associate Director of Quality

Description

Title: Associate Director of Quality Department: EHSQ Location: Irvine, CA Supervisor: Sr. Director of Quality

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Remote

Associate Director of Quality

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (“HQC US”) develops, invests, and delivers solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects through Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) services in North America.

The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to deliver utility-scale power generation plants customized for local and regional energy markets. HQC US offers the full spectrum of PV solutions – from the core technology of cells and modules to large-scale project development and investment. With proven capabilities across the solar and battery storage chain, HQC US minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy.

SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Quality will serve as a key partner to the Quality Team Lead, driving the development and implementation of Quality Management Systems, departmental training, and digital quality tools. This role bridges field operations with corporate quality strategy, ensuring alignment across projects while building the foundation for organizational excellence.

In addition to delivering essential responsibilities such as authoring procedures, leading audits, and supporting project quality oversight, the Associate Director of Quality is expected to succeed through strong technical writing, precise attention to detail, and a systems-driven approach to process standardization. Success in this position also requires professionalism, adaptability, and the ability to foster collaborative relationships across engineering, construction, safety, commissioning, and operations. This position serves as a developmental leadership role within the Quality department, with potential for expanded responsibility as the organization continues to scale.

This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Quality (or another designated member of senior management). The role is remote, with standard business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. Travel is required up to 25% of the time, which may include short-notice trips and extended site visits as business needs dictate.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

- Support the Senior Director of Quality by leading and executing developmental initiatives within the Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with departmental goals and strategic plans.

- Author and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Standard Work Instructions.

- Design and coordinate Quality Training Programs for staff and stakeholders.

- Build and maintain departmental documentation, dashboards, and digital tools in Procore, SharePoint and Power BI to improve accessibility, reporting, and decision-making.

- Drive continuous improvement of companywide quality workflows through Procore auditing, reporting, and records management, ensuring consistency, compliance, and actionable insights.

- Assist in interviewing, evaluating, and onboarding potential Site Quality Managers to ensure strong quality leadership across projects.

- Champion and support internal and external quality audits, site reviews, and management reviews to ensure compliance, identify risks, and drive improvement.

- Manage Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) programs by designing and implementing solutions to mitigate quality risks across the lifecycle of PV and BESS plants, particularly during construction.

- Develop, review, and approve Site-Specific Quality Management Plans (SSQMPs) and monitor implementation, progress, and results for effectiveness.

- Perform periodic SSQMP audits/reviews, provide timely notice of deficiencies, and recommend corrective actions.

- Develop and approve Quality Control Verification Checklists and related work instructions for key site activities.

- Monitor deficiencies (Non-Conformance and Quality Incident Reports), ensure root cause analyses are completed, and drive corrective and preventive actions to closure.

- Prepare weekly and monthly Quality reports as required by management and customer contracts, including digital dashboards in Power BI.

- Represent the company in quality-related discussions with project owners, lenders, and third-party stakeholders.

- Provide technical advice and guidance to on-site personnel to resolve quality issues in real time.

- Review and provide final approval for trade partner project-specific Quality Control Plans.

- Participate in design and constructability reviews during pre-construction.

- Promote and foster a culture of continuous improvement that enhances company efficiency, customer satisfaction, and project quality.

- Interact and collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, construction, commissioning, safety, legal, HR, and operations teams.

- Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.

- Travel is required up to 25%, including extended site visits, short-notice trips, and overnight stays.

KEY COMPETENCIES / CORE SKILLS

- Exceptional ability to draft and maintain SOPs, Work Instructions, ITPs, and technical reports with clarity, consistency, and precision.

- Maintains an exacting standard of accuracy across documentation, reports, audits, and digital records.

- Approaches challenges with a structured perspective, standardizing workflows for scalability and compliance within the QMS.

- Effectively manages shifting priorities, dynamic schedules, and multiple concurrent initiatives while maintaining accountability.

- Thrives in a fast-paced environment where responsibilities may pivot quickly between QMS development, audit support, digital tool build-out, and stakeholder engagement.

- Demonstrates respect, patience, and professionalism; fosters an inclusive, supportive, and solutions-oriented environment that encourages open discussion and departmental growth.

- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly translate complex technical quality concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences.

- Skilled at building strong working relationships with engineering, construction, commissioning, safety, and project management teams to integrate quality seamlessly into project execution.

- Identifies inefficiencies, proposes solutions, and embeds lessons learned into processes, training, and system enhancements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Minimum of 10 years of progressive quality management experience, with a proven record of administering Quality Management Systems (QMS) and leading departmental initiatives.

- Minimum of 10 years of experience authoring and maintaining Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs), Quality Inspection Checklists, Standard Work Instructions, and related technical documentation.

- At least 10 years in a management role, with demonstrated ability to lead teams, set departmental priorities, and manage cross-functional initiatives.

- Strong familiarity with photovoltaic (PV) solar array installation practices, including structural, electrical, and mechanical scopes of work.

- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

- Excellent collaboration, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively across multiple departments and stakeholders.

- High degree of technical precision and documentation accuracy.

- Ability to work remotely with a reliable high-speed internet connection and flexibility to support projects across Eastern through Pacific Time Zones as required.

- Must hold and maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license and have the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, including the ability to rent vehicles for business travel without restrictions that would interfere with job performance.

- Ability to successfully pass a motor vehicle/driving record background check in accordance with company policy.

- Must be able to pass pre-employment, regular, and random drug and alcohol screenings in compliance with company and customer requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and/or substation construction projects.

- Bachelor’s degree in Construction, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

- Professional certifications such as:

American Society of Quality (ASQ): Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Certified Construction Quality Manager, or ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

American Welding Society: Certified Welding Engineer (CWENG), Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI), or Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP): PV Installation Professional (PVIP), PV System Inspector (PVSI), or PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS)

Project Management Institute (PMI): Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), or Project Management Professional (PMP)

Six Sigma: Master Black Belt, Black Belt, Green Belt, or Yellow Belt

- Working knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards.

- Background working in both subcontractor and self-performing contractor environments, with an understanding of challenges unique to each delivery model.

- Proficiency with Procore (Quality & Field Management modules), Power BI, and SharePoint for documentation, analytics, and reporting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

- Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day) while operating a computer and reviewing documentation.

- Ability to effectively exchange accurate information in verbal and written form with employees, contractors, and external stakeholders.

- Ability to move about an office environment, ascend/descend stairs, and access files or equipment as necessary.

- Ability to conduct occasional site visits for audits, inspections, and verifications. Site work may require wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and high-visibility clothing; walking on uneven terrain; and exposure to outdoor weather conditions and construction activity.

- Ability to travel domestically up to 25% of the time, including by air, with flexibility for short-notice trips, overnight stays, and extended site visits.

- Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

- Primary work performed in a remote/home office environment, requiring reliable high-speed internet and standard office equipment, including audio/video conferencing.

- Occasional work performed in a professional business office setting with low to moderate noise levels.

- Occasional visits to solar, BESS, and substation construction sites, where conditions may include moderate to high noise levels, outdoor weather exposure, dust, and uneven terrain. Appropriate PPE will be provided and required.

- Regular interaction with cross-functional teams in both virtual and in-person settings, requiring adaptability to both independent and collaborative work environments.

Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at hr-usa@qcells.com.

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.

I hereby accept and acknowledge this job description as my own and am committing to these responsibilities and required qualifications.

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