IQC Manager

Role: IQC Manager Location: AURIC : Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharasthra Reporting To: IQC Head Team Name: In-Coming Quality Control (IQC) About the Team and the Role: The Quality team at Ather is the final line of defense, ensuring that our intelligent scooters move through the assembly line with zero compromises. As the IQC manager, you are responsible for the integrity of the manufacturing process and incoming part quality. Your role is to harmonize engineering precision with shop-floor execution, ensuring that every vehicle built is a masterpiece of reliability. You will lead a high-performing team of specialists to detect, contain, and resolve quality deviations in real-time while steering the department toward a "Zero Defect" culture. Responsibilities: Responsible for incoming part quality of Vehicle, Battery, Paint shop and Gear Box. Execute high-level inspection of parts using precision instruments including Trimos, Roughness Testers, Height Gauges, Hardness Testers, Micrometers, and Vernier Calipers. Validate CMM programs for existing and NPD parts while managing AMCs for CMM, Spectro, and Rondcom systems. Perform part alignment strictly according to engineering drawings and plan measurements using first principles and specialized gauges. Lead inspection and layout processes for New Product Development to ensure design intent is accurately captured in production. Verify and approve external calibration scopes/reports and manage internal gauge calibration schedules with suppliers. Conduct Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) studies with line inspectors and operators to ensure consistent measurement reliability. Maintain meticulous inspection records and present quality data during internal and external audits for compliance. Collaborate with Supplier Quality, Engineering, and Production teams to resolve chronic component issues and optimize inspection workflows. Take full accountability for maintaining all quality practices and controls in the IQC lab. Lead and align the team to meet SQCDM (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Morale) targets. Oversee quality deliverables during critical bridge phases ( X1-build, LVPT and HVPT) by ensuring all issues are resolved before transition to mass production. Forecast and secure necessary facilities, high-precision equipment, and personnel to meet organizational quality goals. Manage the seamless implementation of Engineering Change Notices (ECN) and oversee document change controls within the division. Build and manage a competency framework for your team. Actively manage morale, address grievances of Shift Incharges (SIC) and Zone Leaders (ZL), and cultivate a performance - oriented work environment. Experience and Qualifications: Required qualifications - BE in Mechanical / Electrical. Experience (no. of years) - 10 to 14 Years Must Have Competencies: 1. Incoming Quality Control (IQC) Supplier Compliance: Establish and maintain rigorous inspection standards for all incoming raw materials, components, and sub-assemblies. Material Disposition: Manage the non-conforming material process (MRB), ensuring rejected materials are quarantined and handled according to protocol. Supplier Quality Development: Partner with Procurement to audit suppliers, track performance metrics, and drive Corrective Action Reports (SCARs). RCA & Troubleshooting: Expert-level proficiency in Root Cause Analysis (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) to drive permanent corrective actions. 2. Leadership & Strategy Team Management: Lead, mentor, and train a team of Quality Engineers, Supervisors, and Inspectors. Continuous Improvement: Drive Lean and Six Sigma initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, and internal failure costs. Audit Management: Experience in leading internal departmental audits and maintaining comprehensive quality records, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or other industry-specific standards. SQCDM Framework: Proven ability to manage a department using SQCDM metrics to drive operational excellence. Good to have Competencies: Agile Methodology: Experience working within Swimlanes (SwL) and using JIRA or similar tools to manage quality "stories" and deliverables. Change Control Expertise: Strong understanding of ECN/ECM processes in a fast-paced hardware environment. Coaching & Mentoring: Ability to develop the career paths of junior associates and supervisors through structured competency frameworks. Want to know more? At Ather, we’ve built India’s first intelligent scooter, from scratch. Based on the philosophy of clean design and smart technology, we are transforming the urban commute experience. We are expanding in India, and in the coming years, we look forward to scaling up and launching more products globally. Today, our product offerings include the Ather 450X, 450S, 450 Apex, and Rizta. Beyond the product, we are also setting up an extensive charging network and re-imagining end-to-end ownership experience. To know more, check out our Careers site and our Substack . Be You, With Us The Ather story doesn't write itself - our people do. We believe everyone is equal, but not the same. Diversity is our strength, and building an inclusive and equitable workplace begins with acknowledging and embracing our differences. We are an equal opportunity employer, and our team reflects a wide range of identities, experiences, and perspectives - all united by a shared passion to shape the Ather journey.