Director of Quality Engineering, Hardware

Due to the nature of our work in defense, Darkhive does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which usually requires U.S. citizenship*.

Established in 2021, Darkhive is redefining the future of autonomous systems. We design and build next‑generation hardware and software solutions that seamlessly integrate into critical public safety and defense networks. Our core focus centers on developing tactical, human‑machine interfaces and scaling the mass production of affordable, attritable uncrewed systems alongside our government partners. At Darkhive, we are a high‑growth team of U.S. Special Operations veterans, aerospace engineers, robotics perception experts, and Dev Sec Ops  professionals.

Above all, we are a mission‑first culture. We believe that global teams operating on the front lines deserve high‑quality, intelligent tools that ensure safety when each second counts.

The Director of Quality Engineering, Hardware is a hybrid position. Candidates are located within commutable distance to San Antonio, TX. Travel is expected to suppliers, manufacturing sites, and partner locations up to 25%‑40%. This role reports to the VP of Quality and is responsible for building and scaling Darkhive’s hardware quality and supplier quality capabilities in a fast‑paced defense technology environment.

• Build and scale Darkhive’s hardware quality and supplier quality engineering capabilities
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve Quality Management System (QMS) processes aligned with ISO 9001 and related industry standards
• Own supplier quality management activities, including supplier qualification, AVL/ASL management, supplier audits, supplier scorecards, SCAR management, and supplier development initiatives
• Lead cross‑functional root cause investigations, containment activities, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts
• Partner closely with hardware engineering teams to influence design quality, manufacturability, reliability, and scalability through DFx methodologies
• Drive Product Quality Planning (PQP/APQP) activities across hardware development and manufacturing introduction
• Evolve scalable inspection, traceability, nonconformance, and manufacturing quality processes
• Support contract manufacturers and external manufacturing partners through process qualification, quality oversight, and operational risk management
• Lead audit readiness activities, including internal audits, supplier audits, and external certification audits
• Build operational quality metrics, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to support data‑driven decision‑making
• Develop quality standards and operational controls for PCBA, compute hardware, and electro‑mechanical assemblies
• Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to reduce supplier risk, improve incoming quality, and strengthen production readiness
• Help establish configuration management, revision control, and hardware traceability best practices
• Mentor and help grow future quality engineering talent as the organization scales

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical field
• 10+ years of experience in hardware quality engineering, supplier quality engineering, manufacturing quality, or related disciplines. This experience should include application of Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies in hardware manufacturing and supplier quality environments
• Demonstrated experience building or scaling quality systems, supplier quality programs, or manufacturing quality organizations
• Deep supplier quality engineering experience, including supplier qualification, supplier audits, SCAR management, root cause analysis, supplier performance management, incoming quality, process validation
• Experience with advanced manufacturing and New Product Introduction (NPI) quality methodologies including APQP/PQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, 8D, RCCA, process capability analysis
• Strong DFx background, including Design for…