Quality Director

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Austin, Texas

Department: Operations
Reports to:  SVP Operations and Supply Chain

Type: Full-Time

About HydroGraph

HydroGraph is a hyper-growth advanced materials company scaling pristine, high-performance graphene via its patented Hyperion detonation technology. With more than 70 active commercial projects, a growing global footprint, and industry-leading material quality (99.8% pure graphene), HydroGraph is building the next generation of engineered materials for coatings, composites, and energy storage. Our new Austin HQ will serve as the flagship center for innovation, applied R&D, customer engagement, and rapid material development.

Role Overview

The Quality Director is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the organization's quality management system, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and driving a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. This strategic position leads quality assurance and quality control initiatives across all operations to enhance product quality, customer satisfaction, and operational performance.

Competencies

Strategic Quality Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive quality strategies aligned with organizational goals and industry best practices
• Establish quality vision, mission, and objectives that support business growth and customer satisfaction
• Lead the modification and maintenance of the existing Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure alignment with the organization during the growth of the company.
• Define quality metrics, KPIs, and dashboards to monitor organizational performance
• Partner with executive leadership to integrate quality principles into strategic planning
• Allocate resources and budgets to support quality initiatives and improvement projects

Quality Management System & Compliance

• Ensure QMS compliance with relevant standards (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO14001, AS9100, etc.)
• Oversee internal and external audits, managing audit schedules, findings, and corrective actions
• Maintain relationships with regulatory bodies and manage regulatory inspections
• Lead certification and recertification activities for quality standards
• Develop and enforce quality policies, procedures, and work instructions
• Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and ensure organizational compliance

Quality Assurance & Control

• Oversee quality assurance activities including process validation, qualification protocols, and risk assessments
• Direct quality control operations including inspection, testing, and release procedures
• Establish incoming, in-process, and final inspection criteria and acceptance standards
• Implement statistical process control (SPC) and other quality tools as appropriate
• Manage non-conformance processes, including root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)
• Oversee supplier quality management and vendor qualification programs

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other methodologies
• Lead cross-functional teams in quality improvement projects and problem-solving activities
• Analyze quality data to identify trends, systemic issues, and improvement opportunities
• Implement process optimization strategies to reduce defects, waste, and variation
• Develop and track cost of quality metrics including prevention, appraisal, and failure costs
• Foster a culture of quality awareness and accountability throughout the organization

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing quality team including quality techs at multiple sites
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching, and support professional development
• Ensure the quality function adapts in organizational structure and responsibilities as the organization grows
• Recruit and retain top quality talent with appropriate technical expertise
• Promote cross-training and knowledge sharing within the quality, operations, R&D and supply chain departments
• Champion employee engagement and empowerment in quality initiatives

Customer & Supplier Relations

• Serve as the primary quality liaison with customers regarding quality issues and requirements
• Manage customer complaints, lead investigations, and implement corrective actions
• Oversee supplier quality programs including audits, scorecards, and improvement plans
• Collaborate with procurement to qualify new suppliers and evaluate supplier performance
• Lead quality agreements and specifications development with customers and suppliers

Risk Management

• Develop and implement risk-based approaches to quality management
• Conduct failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and other risk assessment activities
• Establish risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans
• Monitor and report on quality risks to executive leadership
• Ensure product safety and manage product recalls or field actions when necessary

Documentation & Reporting

• Ensure comprehensive documentation of quality processes, procedures, and records
• Prepare quality reports for executive leadership, board of directors, and regulatory authorities
• Maintain document control systems ensuring version control and accessibility
• Oversee management review meetings and quality system performance reviews
• Communicate quality performance metrics and improvement initiatives across the organization

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Life Sciences, or related technical field
• 18+ years of progressive quality management experience with at least 5 years in leadership roles
• Extensive knowledge of quality management systems and regulatory requirements
• Proven track record of leading successful quality initiatives and driving organizational change
• Strong understanding of statistical methods, quality tools, and problem-solving techniques
• Experience managing and leading large, cross-functional teams
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

Preferred

• Master's degree in Quality Management, Business Administration (MBA), Engineering, or related field
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) from ASQ
• Six Sigma Master Black Belt or Black Belt certification
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification
• Experience in highly regulated industries (oil and gas, pharmaceutical, medical device, aerospace, automotive, food & beverage)
• Experience with digital quality management systems and Industry 4.0 technologies

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Quality Management Systems: ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, AS9100, IATF 16949
• Quality Tools: FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, DOE, 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa Diagrams
• Continuous Improvement: Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Total Quality Management (TQM)
• Quality Software: Minitab, JMP, ETQ, MasterControl, TrackWise, or similar QMS platforms
• Auditing: Internal auditing, supplier audits, regulatory inspections
• Statistical Analysis: Hypothesis testing, capability studies, regression analysis

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Change management and organizational transformation
• Analytical and data-driven decision making
• Executive presence and influence
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Cross-functional collaboration and relationship building
• Customer focus and service orientation
• Attention to detail and process rigor
• Adaptability and resilience
• Ethical leadership and integrity
• Communication and presentation skills at all organizational levels
• Cultural awareness and ability to lead diverse teams

Work Environment

• Leadership-level position with significant organizational influence
• Office-based with regular presence on production floor or operational areas
• May require domestic and international travel for audits, customer visits, or regulatory meetings
• Participation in industry conferences, regulatory forums, and professional organizations
• Flexibility for occasional after-hours work during audits or critical quality events

Why Join HydroGraph

• Lead the core scientific engine of one of the fastest-growing graphene companies in the world.
• Shape a next-generation materials platform used across aerospace, energy, infrastructure, consumer goods, and defense.
• Work directly with global partners and world-class advisors (GEIC, OEMs, DoD).
• Competitive compensation, equity participation, and career advancement as the company scales.