Project Manager / Quality Engineer

We are seeking a hands‑on Quality and Program Engineer to own development program management and operational quality for our flagship industrial atmospheric water generation system. This role sits at the intersection of project execution and quality assurance: you will be responsible for keeping the development program on schedule, managing procurement and supplier relationships, establishing safety protocols, building quality systems and SOPs, and driving the team toward key milestones. This is not primarily a design engineering role. We are looking for someone who speaks engineering fluently, can work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with mechanical and process engineers, and brings the organizational discipline and systems thinking to keep a fast‑moving hardware program on track. Experience building operational processes from the ground up in an early‑stage environment is essential. Qualifications Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline. Equivalent practical experience in lieu of degree will be considered. Technical Skills Proficiency in developing and maintaining SOPs, work instructions, inspection plans, and quality management documentation Experience with prototype inspection, first article inspection (FAI), and non‑conformance reporting (NCR) processes Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies; ability to build and maintain a program schedule, track milestones, and surface blockers proactively Working knowledge of procurement workflows: sourcing, purchase order management, lead time tracking, and component qualification Familiarity with workplace safety regulations (OSHA / Cal/OSHA) and ability to develop and enforce safety procedures for a manufacturing and R&D facility Knowledge of quality management systems and standards (ISO 9001 or equivalent) Familiarity with hardware measurement tools and inspection techniques applicable to large mechanical assemblies Personal Attributes Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams without losing visibility on deadlines Direct communicator who can translate technical requirements clearly across engineering, operations, and leadership Comfortable with ambiguity; able to build systems and processes from scratch in an environment where not everything is defined yet Detail‑oriented with a systematic approach to identifying and resolving quality issues Ownership mindset: you follow up, close loops, and hold yourself and others accountable to commitments Experience Minimum 2–3 years of experience in a quality engineering, operations engineering, or program/project management role within a hardware or manufacturing environment Demonstrable experience writing SOPs, inspection procedures, and quality plans Experience coordinating cross‑functional engineering teams toward shared deadlines Experience managing or supporting procurement activities, including vendor qualification and purchase order tracking Preferred Experience Experience managing a hardware development program from prototype through early manufacturing Exposure to Cal/OSHA compliance requirements in a manufacturing or R&D facility context ISO 9001 certification or working familiarity Exposure to FMEA, PPAP, or similar structured quality methodologies Experience with large‑format or complex mechanical device development Tasks + Responsibilities Program Management Own and maintain the development program schedule, tracking milestones, dependencies, and deliverables across engineering, procurement, and operations Run cross‑functional standups and milestone reviews; surface blockers early and drive resolution Report program status to leadership on a regular cadence with clear visibility into schedule risks Procurement and Supplier Management Manage procurement workflows for components and materials: sourcing, vendor selection, purchase orders, lead time tracking, and delivery coordination Develop and maintain a qualified supplier list; support supplier audits and qualification activities Collaborate with engineering on component specifications to support DFM and procurement efficiency Safety Develop, implement, and enforce workplace safety procedures for the Sorrento Valley facility, including the R&D and assembly areas Ensure compliance with applicable Cal/OSHA regulations; maintain safety documentation and lead any required safety training Conduct regular safety walkthroughs and document findings; drive corrective actions to closure Quality Assurance and Control Build and own the quality management system from the ground up, including documentation, version control, and change control processes Develop, write, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and inspection procedures for prototype and early‑production activities Conduct hands‑on prototype inspections and document findings, non‑conformances, and corrective actions Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes for identified defects or failures Track and report quality metrics across prototype builds, communicating findings and recommendations to leadership Manufacturing Readiness Support the transition from prototype development to early manufacturing, including production readiness reviews and pilot run oversight Collaborate with engineering teams to embed quality and manufacturability checkpoints throughout the development process Champion a culture of quality and safety across the team, providing guidance and training on standards and best practices #J-18808-Ljbffr Manpower San Diego