Quality Engineer (NPI / R&D) Are you passionate about building quality into innovative high-tech products from day one? We’re looking for a Quality Engineer who thrives in a fast-paced R&D environment and isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.
We are looking for a Senior or Expert-level QA Manager with strong experience in product development, design reviews, prototype validation, and close collaboration with R&D and engineering teams.
The ideal consultant has deep technical affinity and is able to challenge mechanical, electronic, hardware and/or software engineering decisions, ensuring product quality from early concept through NPI and release.
This role is positioned at the intersection of R&D, Engineering, and Quality, requiring a hands-on and highly analytical professional who can act as a Quality delegate throughout the NPI lifecycle.
Quality Leadership in Product Development
Act as Quality delegate in design reviews, early feasibility assessments, and product development meetings.
Perform technical challenge on engineering decisions related to mechanical, electronic, hardware and software components.
Ensure product quality requirements are integrated into design outputs and engineering documentation.
Participate in and review prototype validation, including functional, mechanical, electrical, and/or software testing activities.
Ensure that verification and validation (V&V) plans, test protocols, and test reports meet quality and compliance expectations.
Confirm that engineering teams execute V&V activities before design freeze or release.
NPI (New Product Introduction) & Stage Gate Quality
Act as Quality gatekeeper during NPI stage gate review meetings.
DFMEA/PFMEA), and test coverage before passing gates.
Quality Control & Release Authority
Monitor and report product and process performance metrics, deviations, and quality risks.
Drive improvement initiatives for design processes, development workflows, and engineering practices.
Work closely with R&D, Mechanical, Electrical, Hardware, and Software Engineering teams.
Challenge assumptions, technical decisions, and design alternatives with a quality and risk-based mindset.
Agile / Software-Related Quality
In Agile software projects, collaborate with Product Owners on:
roadmap planning
sprint planning
Provide QA inputs for software release decisions, ensuring V&V activities are completed before deployment.
Escalation & Customer Quality Support
Coordinate customer escalations and lead QA-related discussions with internal stakeholders.
Senior-level experience in design review, product development quality, or R&D quality engineering.
Demonstrated experience working with mechanical, electronic, hardware and/or software engineers.
Proven ability to validate prototypes and review technical test documentation.
Expertise in NPI processes and Quality gatekeeping.
Solid experience in CAPA, root cause analysis, deviations, and technical quality escalations.
Experience with systems engineering, embedded software, or complex mechatronic products.
Senior or Expert-level consultant, able to operate independently with minimal guidance.
Must be capable of representing Quality in high-level technical discussions and decision-making forums.