Quality Manager - Chicago

Benelux•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Quality Manager oversees quality assurance for building automation systems (BAS), industrial control systems, PLCs, SCADA systems, and instrumentation across the full project lifecycle. The role provides leadership and oversight to ensure compliance, manage QA teams and processes, and drive consistent quality standards across multiple projects or a portfolio. The role may focus on controls, quality assurance, or commissioning specialties. The position includes developing quality policies, procedures, inspection protocols, testing methods, acceptance criteria, quality metrics, and project-specific quality plans. It leads audits, compliance activities, document control, continuous improvement, supplier quality, corrective and preventive actions, and coordination of QA resources. The Quality Manager directly or indirectly supervises employees, provides training and technical guidance, and supports customer and stakeholder needs. The role requires frequent field work and travel to client and project sites across the United States, approximately 75–90% of the time. Travel may include assignments of up to three consecutive weeks and overnight stays of a week or longer. The position also includes office or remote work, with the ability to work successfully from a remote location.

Requirements

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Automation, Electrical Technology, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience with industrial controls, automation systems, commissioning, or quality assurance.
Experience with PLC, DCS, SCADA, BAS, or industrial automation systems.
Valid driver’s license with no significant motor vehicle report violations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and standard operating procedures.
Ability to present information clearly and respond effectively to clients, peers, and technical staff.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret a wide range of technical instructions and manage abstract and concrete variables.
Proficiency with computers and standard software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and project management tools; PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider); SCADA and HMI systems; and building automation systems (Johnson Controls, Siemens, Trane, Honeywell).
Knowledge of control system installation standards and commissioning processes.
Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, control panel drawings, network diagrams, and sequences of operation.
Knowledge of quality systems, including ISO 9001; auditing and compliance verification; root cause analysis and problem-solving; quality metrics and data analysis; team leadership and people management; professional written and verbal communication; attention to detail and organization; and time management, critical thinking, and active listening.
Ability to motivate, develop, and direct people, and work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including walking and standing for extended periods, crouching or crawling, climbing stairs and ladders, occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds onsite, using a computer and electronic tablet, and safely operating a motor vehicle.
Ability to travel approximately 75–90% of the time, including frequent extended travel, overnight stays, and onsite assignments of up to three consecutive weeks.
Employees who incur $2,000 or more annually in company-related travel expenses must obtain a corporate credit card; employees below that threshold must maintain sufficient personal credit to cover business travel expenses.

Responsibilities

Develop and establish controls QA policies, procedures, standards, and quality management frameworks aligned with ISO 9001, industry standards, and client requirements.
Define inspection protocols, testing methodologies, acceptance criteria, quality metrics, KPIs, and performance benchmarks.
Manage quality budgets and allocate resources.
Supervise QA personnel directly or indirectly, assign and prioritize activities across projects, provide technical guidance and mentorship, conduct performance reviews, and plan professional development.
Ensure staff competency and certification maintenance.
Conduct internal audits, review audit findings, track corrective actions, and ensure compliance with OSHA, industry codes, and client requirements.
Maintain quality documentation systems and records, and prepare compliance reports for management and clients.
Establish document control procedures for controls drawings, sequences, and submittals; participate in design reviews and constructability assessments; and ensure traceability between specifications and field implementation.
Analyze quality trends, defects, rework costs, and benchmarks; lead root cause investigations; develop and implement CAPA programs; and present performance to senior management and clients.
Qualify vendors and equipment suppliers, establish supplier quality requirements and acceptance criteria, review inspection reports and supplier performance, and manage supplier corrective actions and quality agreements.
Develop project-specific Quality Assurance Plans, inspection and testing schedules, risk-based QA resource allocations, acceptance criteria, and punch list procedures.
Provide timely customer service and proactive solutions to client and stakeholder needs; maintain confidentiality; follow company policies and quality standards; and maintain a safe, clean work environment.
For controls specialization, develop controls QA procedures and testing standards; assign inspections and documentation; audit PLC/DCS installations, programming, wiring, and network infrastructure; manage FAT/SAT, point-to-point testing, loop testing, and commissioning support; analyze defect and rework metrics; and manage corrective actions for control system failures.
For QA specialization, maintain the ISO 9001:2015 QMS and organizational standards; audit QMS compliance and project quality plan implementation; manage CARs and PARs; lead root cause investigations; report quality metrics; qualify suppliers; and coordinate training and certification programs.
For commissioning specialization, develop commissioning plans and procedures; coordinate pre-commissioning through post-commissioning; manage FAT/SAT and testing; lead startup, performance verification, and troubleshooting; coordinate operator training and documentation handover; manage schedules and budgets; coordinate across relevant teams and clients; and resolve post-startup operational issues.
Train employees and plan, assign, and direct work in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws.
Travel to client and project sites across the United States and perform required onsite duties, including operating field data collection equipment and safely operating a motor vehicle.