Head of Compliance

Proper Voltage•Carlsbad, CA

7h•Hybrid

About The Position

Compliance is not an afterthought here; it is a competitive advantage. As Head of Compliance, you will own product certification end-to-end, from early design reviews through NRTL submission and post-market surveillance across our portfolio. This is a hands-on role. You will work directly with engineering, operations, and external test labs to move products through certification for multiple chemistries. You will build the processes, lab relationships, and internal expertise that let Proper Voltage ship into demanding markets.

Requirements

7+ years of product compliance experience with direct ownership of UL or IEC certification programs for energy storage, power electronics, or battery-based products or other relevant experience.
In depth knowledge of core UL standards.
Demonstrated ability to manage NRTL relationships, coordinate test lab submissions, and resolve certification holds, beyond interpreting standards documents.
Comfort operating in a startup environment: you have built processes from scratch, not just maintained inherited ones.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear guidance for engineers, executives, and manufacturing partners.

Nice To Haves

Experience with emerging cell chemistries evaluation under existing lithium-ion-centric standards frameworks.
Familiarity with NFPA 855 and AHJ engagement strategy for ESS deployments.
Exposure to seismic compliance requirements (ICC-ES AC156, OSHPD/HCAI) for rack-mounted or stationary energy storage.
Background in UPS systems (UL 1778) or industrial power electronics.
Experience preparing or reviewing technical construction files for international market access (CE marking, CB scheme).

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end certification roadmap for all product lines, maintaining a live tracker of standards applicability, test status, certificate expiration, and renewal timelines.
Serve as the primary relationship owner with NRTLs (UL, CSA, Intertek, MET, and others), coordinating test scheduling, sample logistics, and issue resolution.
Drive efficient test sequencing across certifications minimizing cycle time and redundant testing through shared-equipment planning.
Participate in design reviews and DV test planning to surface certification risk early, flagging construction details, materials, spacings, and software behaviors that could delay certification.
Maintain a working knowledge of HIPOT / dielectric withstand requirements, creepage/clearance rules, and thermal abuse test thresholds as they apply to product architecture.
Partner closely with the test and development engineering team on DV test planning, ensuring certification test requirements are integrated into DVT sequencing and shared-equipment procurement decisions.
Monitor evolving standards (IEC 62619, IEEE 1625, NFPA 855, IBC seismic provisions, OSHA/HCAI for healthcare deployments) and brief leadership on applicability and timeline.
Develop and maintain a regulatory risk register; flag design or supply chain changes that could trigger re-evaluation or certificate withdrawal.
Support product expansion into international markets (CE, IEC, KC, JIS) as the portfolio grows.
Build and scale the compliance function, initially as an individual contributor or player-coach, with a plan to hire and develop a small team as the portfolio demands.
Establish document control, change notification, and post-market surveillance processes that scale with the company.
Define and maintain internal compliance procedures, checklists, and training materials.