Director of Quality and Reliability

Fuel Cell Energy is a global leader in decarbonizing power and producing hydrogen through our proprietary fuel cell technology. Our mission is to enable a world powered by clean energy. As an innovator and manufacturer of fuel cell clean power platforms, Fuel Cell Energy has the only technology in the world capable of capturing carbon from an external source and producing power at the same time.

In addition, we offer the only technology in the world capable of producing hydrogen, power and water simultaneously.

The pay for this position ranges from $172500 - $191750.

Summary:

In this role, the Director of Quality and Reliability will be reporting to the Vice President of Supply Chain and Quality. The incumbent will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Quality organization within Fuel Cell Energy. This high-impact role drives quality excellence across design, development, manufacturing, suppliers and customers. You will foster a zero-defect culture and ensure strict compliance with standards.

This position offers the chance to define and execute quality strategy for a rapidly growing dynamic business, and support FCE's business plan by effectively and proactively ensuring the highest quality for Fuel Cell products.

Mission of the Role:

The Director of Quality and Reliability will architect and lead the Fuel Cell Energy Quality System, embedding world-class quality practices across engineering, manufacturing, suppliers and field operations. This leader will ensure that Fuel Cell Energy products meet the highest standards of reliability, safety, and performance as the Company scales manufacturing and deploys next-generation distributed power systems globally.

Essential Functions/

Duties and Responsibilities:

* Lead the Quality team (manufacturing, fleet and product), including talent acquisition, development, mentoring, and performance management of quality engineers, inspectors, and assurance professionals.

* Lead and maintain the Quality Management Systems (QMS), including policies, procedures and governance.

* Embed Design for Quality and Design for Manufacturing principles into product development processes, ensuring reliability, manufacturability, and lifecycle performance of Fuel Cell Energy platforms.

* Lead deep technical root cause investigations across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and chemical domains to eliminate systemic failure modes rather than implement temporary containment actions.

* Shift the organization from inspection-based quality to process based quality, ensuring defects are prevented through process design, control plans, and statistical process control.

* Establish a robust supplier quality system including supplier qualification, incoming quality control, process audits, and supplier development programs.

* Integrate fleet performance and field reliability data into the product quality system, ensuring real-world operating data informs design improvements and manufacturing process control.

* Develop and deploy quality strategies, policies, and processes to deliver world-class performance in full compliance with ISO 9001 and industry standards.

* Direct end-to-end quality activities: planning, supplier quality, product verification/validation, nonconformance management, root cause analysis (e.g., 8D, PFMEA, Six Sigma), and corrective/preventive actions using statistical and lean tools.

* Champion continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma) to enhance first-time yield, reduce defects, and lower cost of poor quality across business.

* Integrate quality requirements into all business phases-from proposal to sustainment-partnering closely with Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain and Manufacturing.

* Lead internal/external audits, source inspections, and interactions with quality assurance representatives (QARs).

* Drive root cause analysis, corrective and preventative actions (CAPA), and continuous improvement initiatives

* Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to improve quality, cost and delivery

* Define, track, and report key quality metrics/KPIs to senior leadership and contribute to mission success and risk reviews.

* Responsibility for driving improvements in i) First pass yield, ii) defects per unit, iii) cost of poor quality, iv) reliability metrics, v) warranty costs, vi) supplier PPM

* Identify and mitigate quality risks

* Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and mission focus while ensuring compliance with regulations.

* Establish a stop-the-line-culture, empowering teams to halt production when quality standards are not met.

* Be self-reflective and aware of his/her own limitations; lead by example and drive the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement.

* Act in a transparent and consistent manner, always considering what is best for the organization.

* Connect and build strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and…