Director of Quality and Reliability

FuelCell Energy • Torrington, CT

1d • $172,500 - $191,750 • Onsite

About The Position

In this role, the Director of Quality and Reliability will be reporting to the Vice President of Supply Chain and Quality. The incumbent will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Quality organization within FuelCell Energy. This high-impact role drives quality excellence across design, development, manufacturing, suppliers and customers. You will foster a zero-defect culture and ensure strict compliance with standards.This position offers the chance to define and execute quality strategy for a rapidly growing dynamic business, and support FCE’s business plan by effectively and proactively ensuring the highest quality for FuelCell products.

Requirements

• Based in U.S. at FCE Torrington, CT
• Travel requirements up to 20%. Travel to and working at supplier sites will be required.
• Bachelor Degree in Engineering and minimum 15 years of prior Quality experience within manufacturing or industrial operations
• Strong technical background in complex engineered systems, preferably involving electro-chemical, thermal, mechanical, or energy conversion technologies.
• Experience with products operating in high-temperature environments (500 degrees – 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit) such as turbines, fuel cells, combustion systems, industrial process equipment, or advanced energy systems.
• Proven experience implementing Lean manufacturing systems and statistical process control within complex manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work deeply with mechanical, electrical, and product engineering teams to eliminate failure modes during product development.
• Track record of stabilizing quality issues and building repeatable systems that prevent recurrence.
• Demonstrated ability to challenge assumptions and influence senior technical leaders when quality or product integrity is at risk.
• 5+ years of direct leadership experience managing quality teams in complex, multi-site, or matrixed organizations.
• 5+ years of experience implementing and maintaining ISO 9001 / AS 9100 quality management systems and advanced problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, Fishbone, Pareto, Six Sigma and other Lean tools).
• Solid understanding and background in manufacturing processes, final assembly, and testing.
• Strong leadership capabilities with experience building, developing, and motivating high-performing teams in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder influence skills at all levels, including executive leadership, cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Work proactively with minimal supervision, reporting as appropriate. A high sense of urgency, accountability, and commitment to delivering value to the organization.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Authenticity, integrity and humility with the ability to build trust and followership at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to influence / motivate individuals and teams without hierarchical authority.
• A “builder” and change agent who will challenge traditional thinking to drive bold change.
• Driven by a passion to maximize success for internal and external customers – Always!
• High level of accountability coupled with a track record of delivering sustainable results in a high-paced and constantly changing environment.
• Takes action with speed. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to deliver multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting challenging deadlines.
• Strong work ethic with a high degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently.
• Experience in large, global companies and/or demonstrated ability to operate in an entrepreneurial, roll-up-the-sleeves company.
• Comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements.
• Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards.
• Attend scheduled EH&S training program.
• Actively support the organization’s efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans.
• Recommend improved EH&S practices.
• Must maintain regular and consistent attendance.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in related field is preferred
• Exposure to materials science, coatings, catalysts, ceramics, or electro-chemical processes preferred.
• Experience in energy systems, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor equipment, industrial gas, or high reliability industrial products strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Manager, Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Black Belt, or Program Management Professional (PMP) preferred.
• Experience in training, coaching and mentoring.
• Previous experience of working in Energy, Fuel Cell, Industrial Oil/Gas or similar industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality team (manufacturing, fleet and product), including talent acquisition, development, mentoring, and performance management of quality engineers, inspectors, and assurance professionals.
• Lead and maintain the Quality Management Systems (QMS), including policies, procedures and governance.
• Embed Design for Quality and Design for Manufacturing principles into product development processes, ensuring reliability, manufacturability, and lifecycle performance of FuelCell Energy platforms.
• Lead deep technical root cause investigations across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and chemical domains to eliminate systemic failure modes rather than implement temporary containment actions.
• Shift the organization from inspection-based quality to process based quality, ensuring defects are prevented through process design, control plans, and statistical process control.
• Establish a robust supplier quality system including supplier qualification, incoming quality control, process audits, and supplier development programs.
• Integrate fleet performance and field reliability data into the product quality system, ensuring real-world operating data informs design improvements and manufacturing process control.
• Develop and deploy quality strategies, policies, and processes to deliver world-class performance in full compliance with ISO 9001 and industry standards.
• Direct end-to-end quality activities: planning, supplier quality, product verification/validation, nonconformance management, root cause analysis (e.g., 8D, PFMEA, Six Sigma), and corrective/preventive actions using statistical and lean tools.
• Champion continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma) to enhance first-time yield, reduce defects, and lower cost of poor quality across business.
• Integrate quality requirements into all business phases—from proposal to sustainment—partnering closely with Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain and Manufacturing.
• Lead internal/external audits, source inspections, and interactions with quality assurance representatives (QARs).
• Drive root cause analysis, corrective and preventative actions (CAPA), and continuous improvement initiatives
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to improve quality, cost and delivery
• Define, track, and report key quality metrics/KPIs to senior leadership and contribute to mission success and risk reviews.
• Responsibility for driving improvements in i) First pass yield, ii) defects per unit, iii) cost of poor quality, iv) reliability metrics, v) warranty costs, vi) supplier PPM
• Identify and mitigate quality risks
• Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and mission focus while ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Establish a stop-the-line-culture, empowering teams to halt production when quality standards are not met.
• Be self-reflective and aware of his/her own limitations; lead by example and drive the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement.
• Act in a transparent and consistent manner, always considering what is best for the organization.
• Connect and build strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively and be able to influence without authority.
• Inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, charisma, and active drive.
• Act as the organizations independent voice of quality, ensuring product integrity and customer trust take precedence over schedule pressure or internal convenience.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive compensation package as well as comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, company-paid life/disability insurance, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, and generous paid leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees