Senior Quality Control Lead

About the Role

the company is launching AV Labs to accelerate the autonomous technology ecosystem. We're building out a high-velocity team of multi-disciplinary experts to turn real-world operations into high-quality data for our autonomous partners. This team is focused on the hardest problem in AV today: unlocking real-world, long-tail driving data. Autonomy is now a data race-and the company has an edge:
We collect rare, real-world driving data at a scale and capital efficiency no one else can match.

As the Senior Quality Control Lead, you will be the operational owner and technical floor lead for our Incoming Quality Control (IQC) and production hardware provisioning. Working closely alongside Quality Engineering (QE), you will bridge the gap between engineering-level test development and daily floor execution as we build out our quality infrastructure from the ground up.

This is a hands-on, multi-faceted operational role for an all-around hardware veteran. You are someone who has "been-there, done-that" across the entire bench lifecycle, from physically inspecting cables, connectors, and serial labels, to troubleshooting CAN/Ethernet interfaces, running Linux/Python test scripts, and enforcing strict inventory quarantine protocols in our ERP. You will lead a team of contractor technicians, troubleshoot physical and software anomalies on the fly, and maintain the high bar for throughput, quality, and precision established by engineering.

• Drive Daily IQC Operations:
  Direct and optimize daily Incoming Quality Control (IQC) bench inspections, ensuring incoming production hardware is verified efficiently against engineering acceptance criteria.
• Oversee Hardware Config & Provisioning:
  Execute benchtop configuration protocols using Linux CLI and automated test scripts (Python/Bash). Troubleshoot script failures, verify environment variables, and validate parameter states prior to part release.
• Technical Triage & First-Line Debugging:
  Serve as the technical escalation point on the bench. When a test or flash fails, analyze terminal logs, verify communication interfaces (CAN, Ethernet, Serial), and isolate script/environmental glitches from true hardware defects before escalating to Quality Engineers.
• Lead & Train Contractor Technicians:
  Serve as the hands‑on floor lead for contractor QC technicians-assigning daily testing queues, training team members on SOPs, enforcing bench discipline, and auditing inspection accuracy.
• Enforce Material Control & Quarantine:
  Own the physical quarantine cage and digital logging for non-conforming hardware (NCR generation, RMA staging, and non-conforming material disposition).
• Maintain Bench & Calibration Standards:
  Ensure all IQC benches, inspection tools, gauges, and diagnostic equipment are properly maintained, calibrated, and ESD‑compliant.
• Cross-Functional Floor Support:
  Partner directly with Production, Warehouse, and Quality Engineering to prioritize inspection queues, resolve material holds, and maintain high dock-to-stock velocity.

• Experience:
  
  5-7+ years of hands-on experience as a Hardware Systems Lead, Quality Control Lead, Engineering Technician, or Test Lead in high-complexity autonomous vehicle, robotics, aerospace, or consumer electronics environments.
• Hands-on Bench & Physical Inspection Mastery:
  Deep experience with full-spectrum bench inspection, precision measuring tools, wire harness/cable assembly verification, connector pin integrity, serial label/barcode verification, and physical defect identification.
• Linux, CLI & Scripting Familiarity:
  Practical experience navigating Linux/Unix CLI environments (SSH, terminal navigation, log parsing) with the ability to execute, debug, and make minor configuration/line edits to Python, Bash, or Shell scripts.
• Hardware Interfacing & Diagnostics:
  Experience using bench power supplies/meters and capturing bus/diagnostic logs over standard hardware interfaces (CAN bus, Ethernet, Serial/UART, PCIe).
• Floor Leadership: 2+ years of experience serving as a lead technician, shift lead, or supervisor directly assigning daily tasks, training on SOPs, and directing contractor…