Senior NPI Quality Engineer

About the Role

Illuminate USA, located in the heart of Central Ohio, is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge 1.1 million-square-foot facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,600 associates and are now fully operational. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace where you can make a real impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality planning and execution during the NPI phase to ensure new products and materials meet defined performance standards and customer satisfaction goals.
• Plan and implement QFD activities, including identifying deliverables, engaging cross-functional stakeholders, and converting customer requirements (WHATs) into technical solutions (HOWs).
• Identify Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) parameters and key process factors based on quality standards, recurring issues (IPM, PSI), customer complaints, and PFMEA analysis.
• Develop and execute CTQ action plans across departments, with a strong focus on:
  • Consistent and complete implementation
  • Measurable impact on key quality KPIs (e.g., Grade A yield, First Pass Rate)
  • Trainings of relevant personnel
  • Replication across all production lines and shifts
  • Ongoing validation of quality improvements
• Collaborate with Process Engineering, Quality & Reliability, Operations Planning, and CQE (Customer Quality Engineering) teams to ensure alignment and shared understanding of product requirements.
• Partner with Process Engineering to analyze new product and material designs, supporting documentation setup or revision as necessary.
• Define the NPI quality maturity matrix, establish release criteria, and manage milestones reviews.
• Track and manage project quality metrics, timelines, and deliverables throughout the NPI lifecycle.
• Provide hands-on support during pilot runs and production ramp-up, coordinating 2TP test runs and addressing quality concerns.
• Participate in technical review meetings to address deviations from quality requirements.
• Lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, production yield, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Quality Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Industrial, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical) or Science (Chemistry, Physics).
• Minimum 5 years of relevant industry experience, with at least 3 years in quality engineering or project development roles.
• Proven experience in high-volume manufacturing environments, particularly in the solar, semiconductor, electronics, or automotive industries.
• Strong skills in project management, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication.
• Expertise in quality methodologies such as Control Plans, PFMEA/DFMEA, Root Cause Analysis, and structured problem-solving tools.
• Proficiency in MS Office; experience with statistical analysis tools such as JMP or Minitab is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure and effectively communicate across all organizational levels.

Benefits

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth.