Quality & Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Quality & Manufacturing Engineering Manager

(Process, Quality Systems & Compliance)

Company: Xico Lighting (3LED Group)

Location: Woburn, MA

Type: Full-Time | On-Site

Why This Role Exists:

Xico Lighting is intentionally combining Quality Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering under a single leader.

Many of our quality issues are not theoretical — they are process, fixture, supplier, or assembly problems that require hands-on engineering fixes , not inspection or paperwork. At the same time, we need to build real quality systems , establish incoming quality control , and create a culture of prevention and continuous improvement .

This role exists to own that intersection .

Role Summary: (Plain English)

You will be the single-point owner for:

• Manufacturing process capability.
• Engineering-led defect elimination.
• Practical quality systems (QMS).
• Incoming quality control and inspection strategy.
• Compliance (UL / ETL interface).

You will:

• Fix problems where they are created.
• Engineer repeatable processes.
• Build the systems that prevent recurrence.
• Lead a combined team of manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, and QC technicians.
  
  

This is a hands-on leadership role . You are expected to personally engage in complex problems, not just delegate.

Operating Philosophy (Explicit)

At Xico:

• Manufacturing Engineering owns how things are built.
• Quality Engineering owns whether those processes are capable and stable.
• Quality Control verifies and contains issues early.

This role integrates all three .

Core Responsibilities:

Manufacturing & Process Engineering Ownership:

• Own manufacturing process design, documentation, and capability.
• Lead DFMA, PFMEA, control plans, and process validation.
• Design or modify fixtures, tooling, and work instructions to eliminate defects.
• Partner with product design on manufacturability and change implementation.
• Drive process improvements that balance quality, throughput, and cost.

Engineering-Led CAPA & Defect Elimination:

• Lead root-cause analysis for recurring defects using engineering methods (5-Why, 8D, cause–effect)
• Implement permanent fixes in:
  • processes
  • equipment
  • fixtures
  • materials
  • suppliers
• Own NCR, MRB, SCAR, and CAPA closure with real-world verification.

Build & Own the Quality Management System (QMS):

• Design and implement a practical, scalable QMS from an unstructured starting point.
• Establish:
  • document control
  • ECO / change control integration
  • training and competency records
  • corrective action discipline
• Keep systems lightweight, usable, and enforced.
• Prepare for audit-readiness without over-engineering.

Incoming Quality Control & Inspection Strategy:

• Establish and lead Incoming Quality Control.
• Define inspection criteria, sampling plans, and acceptance standards.
• Ensure early containment of supplier and process issues.
• Align QC execution with engineering fixes (QC does not replace engineering)

Supplier Quality & External Manufacturing Support:

• Define supplier quality requirements and controls.
• Lead supplier corrective actions and containment.
• Partner with suppliers on process improvements.
• Balance rigor with commercial and operational reality.

Test, Measurement & Validation Capability:

• Define what needs to be measured and why.
• Specify and justify test & measurement equipment.
• Build inspection, test, and validation capability over time.
• Own calibration and measurement system discipline.

Compliance & External Interface:

• Act as the technical quality interface for UL / ETL and other NRTLs.
• Ensure product and process changes maintain compliance.
• Translate safety and compliance requirements into manufacturing controls.

Team Leadership & Org Build-Out:

• Lead and develop:
  • manufacturing engineers
  • quality engineers
  • QC technicians / inspectors
• Set priorities, escalation paths, and accountability.
• Hire, coach, and grow a combined engineering-quality team.
• Establish a culture of ownership, prevention, and continuous improvement.

What This Role Is Not:

• Not a software QA role.
• Not an audit-only or documentation-first position.
• Not a pure manufacturing engineering role without quality ownership.
• Not a QC supervisor role.

This role owns outcomes , not just functions.

Qualifications (Signal, Not Box-Checking)

Required:

• 10–20+ years in manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, or both
• Proven ability to fix real manufacturing problems.
• Experience building or repairing processes in unstructured environments.
• Hands-on experience with:
  • DFMA / PFMEA / control plans.
  • CAPA and root-cause problem solving.
  • Incoming QC and inspection strategy.
• Experience leading engineers and technicians.
• Comfortable spending time on the factory floor.

Preferred:

• Electronics, lighting, optics, or electromechanical manufacturing.
• ISO 9001 exposure (certification not required)
• Supplier quality engineering experience.
• UL / ETL or product safety compliance exposure.
• Lean / Six Sigma background.

What Success Looks Like

Within 6–12 months , you will have:

• Eliminated a meaningful class of recurring defects through engineering fixes.
• Stabilized key manufacturing processes.
• Built a functioning QMS that people actually use.
• Established effective incoming QC.
• Defined and staffed a combined quality/manufacturing engineering function.
• Created confidence that quality is being engineered, not inspected in.

Why Xico Lighting?

• Design, engineering, and manufacturing under one roof.
• Real authority to shape how products are built and controlled.
• Willingness to invest in people, equipment, and systems.
• Part of the 3LED Group with long-term platform ambitions.

Designing Light That Moves People. At Xico Lighting, we don’t just build lighting — we craft experiences that elevate how people see, feel, and perform. We believe that light is one of the most powerful tools in architecture, and our mission is to push the boundaries of what’s possible with precision-engineered, beautifully designed, human-centric lighting systems.We’re a team of designers, engineers, and makers united by a shared obsession: making light work smarter, look better, and feel more natural. From our breakthrough circadian technologies to our architectural-grade linear systems, everything we build is designed with intention — to bring elegance, simplicity, and performance to modern spaces.We work fast, think rigorously, and execute with craft. Our culture is built on curiosity, respect, and the belief that great ideas can come from anywhere. We believe in empowering talent — giving people the tools, trust, and autonomy to own their impact.