Process Quality Engineering Manager

Illuminate USA•Pataskala, OH

19h

About The Position

Located in the heart of Central Ohio, Illuminate USA is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,500 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere. This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We’re not just building solar panels—we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you! We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area. The Process Quality Engineering (PQE) Manager will oversee the following programs: A) Process Quality Control, B) Process Quality Inspection, C) Process Quality Improvement and D) Quality Data Automation. This role will lead, mentor and manage a large team of quality professionals ranging from team managers, supervisors, engineers, operators, data analysts, team leaders and inspectors that ensure the highest operational and technical standards in quality engineering, inspection and test protocols that are implemented in the solar manufacturing line. With an over-all objective of implementing a preventive quality culture, this position will strategize and develop a manufacturing process quality program that balances inspection, corrective and preventive action, data automation and technical quality improvements to ensure full compliance of manufactured solar panels to strict quality and reliability standards. This person’s keen attention to detail will be instrumental in continuously monitoring and evaluating the performance of production processes and the quality of manufactured products to uphold impeccable quality and compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science with 10+ years manufacturing experience in one or more of the following industries: solar, electronics, semiconductor or automotive.
Minimum 8+ years of experience in quality leadership role, with focus on quality engineering investigations and development programs; 5 years minimum handling large quality teams.
5+ years of experience with automated optical inspection, electroluminescence engineering, artificial intelligence-assisted visual inspection or other similar technologies.
Strong background in quality management systems, preferably ISO 9001 as well as intensive experience in statistical process control and analysis using statistical software (e.g., JMP and Minitab).
Proven experience in root cause analysis such as 8D, process improvements and implementation of quality assurance protocols.
Excellent leadership, written and verbal communication and project management skills; demonstrated capacity for rapid learning, self-discipline, continual improvement to meet organizational goals effectively.
Able to move around the plant and office areas and stand for periods of time
Able to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally and wear required PPE
Able to work in a manufacturing environment with noise and temperature changes

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering or Science
Certification in Quality Engineering (CQA, CQE, CQM)
Experience in high-volume data management and reporting platforms (Power BI, Tableau, etc.)

Responsibilities

Manage a large Process Quality team that drives real-time validation of process quality compliance for the entire manufacturing line and work cross-functionally with internal departments towards timely resolution of issues.
Drive innovation in solar panel inspection and testing using electroluminescence and visual inspection via artificial intelligence (AI) and human inspection; liaise with equipment vendors for technology upgrade and modifications.
Drive quality engineering investigations and continual improvement projects to resolve and prevent top contributors to manufacturing quality issues.
Recruit, train and mentor quality managers, supervisors, inspectors/reviewers and quality engineering members, fostering a culture of quality and technical excellence.
Oversee testing procedures, inspection protocols and documentation to maintain product integrity; ensure sufficient inspectors in critical inspection stations in the production line, considering a 24x7 manufacturing operation.
Establish, document and report periodic key performance indicators for quality metrics and improvement; drive quality data automation initiatives that will facilitate real-time defect monitoring, escalation and resolution.
Ensure proper training, qualification and certification for all EL and VI quality inspectors and team leaders through Attribute Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility program.
Develop and sustain a quality disposition and non-conforming material classification process to ensure that defective products are not shipped and/or properly dispositioned to satisfy strict product quality requirements; travel to project sites on critical basis to properly disposition field issues.
Other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned due to criticality and urgency.