Quality & Compliance Director

Location: San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt

About the Company

We are a growing manufacturer of innovative commercial lighting solutions serving mission-critical industries across North America. As we expand our manufacturing operations, we are seeking an experienced Quality & Compliance Director to build and lead our quality management, regulatory compliance, and sustainability programs from the ground up.

This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact by developing scalable quality systems, ensuring product compliance with industry standards, and driving a culture of continuous improvement. If you're a collaborative leader with a passion for manufacturing excellence, regulatory compliance, and operational quality, we'd love to hear from you.

Position Summary

The Quality & Compliance Director will lead the development and execution of the organization's Quality Management System (QMS), product compliance programs, and sustainability initiatives. Working closely with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Development, and Supply Chain, this leader will establish scalable quality processes, oversee product certifications, and ensure regulatory compliance throughout the product lifecycle.

Essential Responsibilities

Quality Management

• Design, implement, and continuously improve a scalable Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with ISO 9001 principles.
• Develop quality assurance, quality control, and quality engineering functions for manufacturing operations.
• Lead Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) processes.
• Establish incoming inspection, in-process inspection, and final product testing procedures.
• Develop and maintain quality procedures, documentation, and reporting systems.
• Analyze quality metrics, defect trends, and customer feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to improve manufacturing processes and product quality.

Product Compliance

• Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on product regulatory compliance, including:
• • UL / ETL / CSA
  • FCC
  • NEC / NFPA 70
  • DLC
  • California Title 20 & Title 24
  • Applicable IEC and IEEE standards
• Manage relationships with third-party testing laboratories and certification agencies.
• Coordinate product certifications, audits, inspections, and ongoing compliance activities.
• Maintain compliance documentation and certification renewals.
• Ensure product labeling and regulatory markings remain accurate.

Sustainability & ESG

• Lead product sustainability initiatives including:
• • RoHS
  • California Proposition 65
  • Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
  • Health Product Declarations (HPD)
  • ILFI Declare Labels
  • Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to support sustainable sourcing and packaging initiatives.
• Develop sustainability reporting metrics and ESG performance indicators.

Leadership

• Recruit, mentor, and develop the Quality team.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Product Development, and Supply Chain.
• Support supplier quality programs and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in workplace safety initiatives and promote quality throughout the organization.

Required Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in quality, compliance, or engineering within lighting, electrical, or electronics manufacturing.
• Experience designing and leading Quality Management Systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing UL, ETL, CSA, DLC, and California Title 20/24 certifications.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, CAPA, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing quality documentation, audits, supplier quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience supporting sustainability initiatives including RoHS, EPD, HPD, Declare Labels, and related programs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities across cross-functional teams.

Technical Knowledge

Strong knowledge of:

• UL, ETL, CSA
• FCC
• NEC / NFPA 70
• DLC
• California Title 20 & Title 24
• RoHS
• California Proposition 65
• ISO 9001 principles
• ERP systems (Odoo experience is a plus)
• CAD software such as SolidWorks (preferred)
• Quality reporting and data analysis

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Design, Applied Sciences, or a closely related technical discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• NCQLP Lighting Certified (LC)
• ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certification
• Experience with photometric testing equipment.
• Product development or industrial design experience.
• Experience with OLED or advanced LED technologies.
• German language proficiency is a plus.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for a collaborative leader who:

• Enjoys building systems from the ground up.
• Thrives in fast-paced manufacturing environments.
• Uses data to drive quality improvements.
• Communicates effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Has a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Performance bonus opportunity
• Equity participation opportunity
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off and company holidays
• Professional development and certification support

Equal Employment Opportunity

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process.