Overview In this role you lead a global Product Quality team to drive transformational improvements across a diverse portfolio of power semiconductors for automotive and robotics. You own Quality Management through the product lifecycle and shape Functional Safety quality strategies under ISO 26262. You will guide audits, support certification bodies, and ensure quality processes align with safety and reliability goals. This is a hands-on leadership role that connects engineering, safety, and customer outcomes to deliver high-quality, safe products.
Responsibilities- Lead a global Product Quality team (US and India) and empower them to champion quality across regions.
- Own Quality Management for the product lifecycle of power semiconductor solutions in automotive, safety-critical, and robotics domains.
- Define and drive Functional Safety quality strategies per ISO 26262; ensure alignment of safety plans and verification/validation plans.
- Perform pre-assessments for ATV CA3 baselines and co-audit during development to ensure ISO 26262 compliance.
- Support external safety assessments/audits by certification bodies (e.g., TÜV, Exida) and create evidence for safety cases.
- Drive continuous assessments against ISO 26262 requirements and manage corrective actions.
- Guide project teams and safety managers on ISO 26262 process compliance and product conformance.
- Ensure quality processes support Functional Safety concepts from item definition to production and field monitoring.
- Support development teams to meet ASIL requirements and safety goals; oversee verification, validation, qualification, and confirmation activities.
- Establish quality roadmaps for future technologies and participate in project reviews and release decisions.
- Lead product risk assessments and release decisions under schedule and budget constraints.
- Apply advanced quality systems knowledge to complex situations and ensure documentation and QA measures are in place.
- Engage with customers on product-related quality topics and provide release documentation (e.g., PPAP).
- Drive escalation management and rapid resolution of critical customer quality concerns.
Key requirements- 10+ years in semiconductor, power, and automotive semiconductor industries
- 5+ years of proven leadership managing global and multicultural teams
- Extensive experience in quality management across development, qualification, manufacturing, and customer support
- Certification in Semiconductor Automotive Functional Safety (mandatory)
- Extensive ISO 26262 knowledge (content, interpretation, and implementation) and safety analysis methods (FTA, DFA, FMEDA, FIT per ISO 26262/SN 29500)
- IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 knowledge
- Risk management tools (FMEA, PIN FMEA, QFD, 8D, PPAP)
- JEDEC & AEC-Q qualification standards; IPC standards
- Technical knowledge of semiconductor tech, wafer processes, burn-in, and reliability concepts
- Experience with automotive EV systems, autonomous systems, and robotics quality expectations
- Fluent English; German or willingness to learn
- Ability to manage stakeholders across continents and orchestrate complex projects
- Leadership and team development
- Strong communication and stakeholder management
- Customer focus under pressure
- ISO 26262 knowledge and safety case development
- Functional Safety analysis methods (FTA, DFA, FMEDA)
- Quality methodologies (FMEA, QFD, 8D, PPAP)
