Quality Manager

About Us

Axelera AI https://www.axelera.ai is not your regular deep-tech startup. We are creating the next-generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to help advancing humanity and improve the world around us.

In just four years, we have raised a total of $370 million and have built a world-class team of 220+ employees (including 49+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), both remotely from 18 different countries and with offices in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

We have also launched our Metis™ AI Platform, which achieves a 3-5x increase in efficiency and performance, and have visibility into a strong business pipeline exceeding $100 million.

Our unwavering commitment to innovation has firmly established us as a global industry pioneer.

Are you up for the challenge?

Position Overview

As Quality Manager, you will own the end-to-end quality function within Operations - from incoming components and supplier qualification, through NPI and production phases, to field returns and RMA. You will report directly to the VP of Operations and work closely with AIIS (AI Infrastructure & Integration Solutions), Product, and Engineering teams to establish robust quality systems that scale with Axelera AI's rapid growth.

This is a hands-on, foundational role: you will build processes, drive cross-functional alignment, and be the primary quality authority within the Operations organisation.

Key responsibilities

Hardware Product Quality (IQC / OQC / RMA)

• Own and continuously improve IQC and OQC processes across all product families (M.2, PCIe, SBC).
• Define acceptance criteria, inspection sampling plans, and test coverage requirements in collaboration with Engineering.
• Manage the RMA process end-to-end: triaging field returns, root cause analysis (RCA), corrective action (CAPA), and reporting back to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain quality metrics dashboards (yield, defect rate, RMA rate) and present regular reports to Operations leadership.

Supplier Quality Management (SQE / SQA)

• Qualify new suppliers and ODM/CM partners (including audits, PPAP/APQP where applicable) and maintain supplier quality scorecards.
• Lead supplier non-conformance (NCR) processes: issuance, follow-up, and verification of 8D/CAPA responses.
• Work with procurement to drive supplier quality improvement programs for critical components (e.g., memory, power regulators, SoCs).
• Support second-source qualification activities from a quality standpoint.

Manufacturing / NPI Process Quality (DVT / PVT / MP)

• Embed quality gates into the NPI process: define DVT/PVT exit criteria, manage DFM/DFT feedback loops with Engineering and ODMs.
• Drive yield learning during NPI phases and ensure smooth quality handover from NPI to mass production.
• Maintain and govern process control documents (control plans, FMEAs, work instructions) in collaboration with CM/ODM partners.

Product Certifications & Compliance

• Maintain and manage product regulatory certifications (CE, FCC, UL, and equivalent) across all product families, ensuring ongoing compliance throughout the product lifecycle.
• Coordinate with NPI and design teams during certification obtainment phases to ensure quality inputs and documentation are in place; own the certification maintenance and renewal process post-MP.
• Serve as the internal point of contact for regulatory compliance queries related to product quality (RoHS, REACH, WEEE) in coordination with Legal and Product teams.
• Establish and maintain the Operations quality management system (QMS), aligned with ISO 9001 or equivalent frameworks.
• Drive root cause analysis culture across Operations using structured methodologies (8D, Ishikawa, 5-Why).
• Ensure quality documentation is audit-ready and compliant with customer and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Must Have

• 7+ years of experience in hardware/electronics quality management, with direct experience in IQC, OQC, and supplier quality.
• Background in semiconductor, chip-level, or system integration environments (e.g., SoC/module bring-up, board-level integration, or hardware platform development).
• Hands-on experience managing ODM/CM relationships and conducting supplier audits.
• Proficiency with structured quality methodologies: 8D, FMEA, CAPA, SPC, control plans.
• Experience supporting NPI quality gates (DVT/PVT) and transitioning products to mass production.
• Strong analytical skills - comfortable working with data to drive quality decisions.
• Excellent communication skills in English; ability to work across global, cross-functional teams.

Nice to Have

• Experience in AI/ML hardware, PCIe/M.2 form-factor products, or AI SBCs.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification or equivalent QMS qualification.
• Experience working in a scale-up or early-stage hardware company.

Location

We offer a flexible working arrangement, with options to

• Work from one of our Axelera AI offices (Florence and Milan in Italy, Amsterdam and Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Leuven in Belgium, Paris in France, Zurich in Switzerland, or Bristol in the United Kingdom) if you're already based in the vicinity.
• Work fully remotely from any European country (incl. the UK) you are already in.
• Relocate with us and work from Amsterdam or Eindhoven in the Netherlands

What we offer

This is your chance to shape and be part of a dynamic, fast-growing, international organization. We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurances and the option to get company shares.

An open culture that supports creativity and continual innovation is awaiting you. Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility is characteristic for the way we act and work as a team.

At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.