We begin with dreams. Dreams drive our motivation. Dreams are our future. The world's dreams, people's dreams, our dreams. Our passion creates ideas that make dreams come alive. Technology and products that were only dreams become reality.
All for dreams. Dreams challenge and the Nidec-Group will continue to meet the challenge. For the world's and people's tomorrows; the world's first, the world's best technologies and products; we will continue our part in creating a better society.
Job Summary
Nidec is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric motors, drives, and controls, powering nearly everything that spins and moves, from smartphones and household appliances to electric vehicles, factories, data centers, aircraft, and critical infrastructure.
Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, Nidec operates more than 300 group companies across 40+ countries, with over 100,000 employees worldwide. Rooted in Japanese craftsmanship and continuous improvement, we combine global capability with local expertise to solve complex challenges and keep the world moving.
Job Description
We are seeking a Senior Director, Quality Assurance to lead quality governance and assurance across our Motion & Energy (MOEN) business unit. This role is responsible for defining, governing, and assuring Quality Management Systems (QMS), standards, policies, and practices across a global, multi‑segment industrial organization.
This role provides independent oversight and advisory leadership to strengthen quality rigor, consistency, and risk management across critical functions—including engineering, new product development, sourcing, and manufacturing engineering—while ensuring protection of both Nidec and its customers.
Operating at the business unit level, this role focuses on QMS governance, quality assessments and audits, standards creation, training and advisory support, monitoring, and continuous improvement, while remaining intentionally removed from day‑to‑day execution.
This role is empowered to shape MOEN‑wide quality standards and provide independent visibility into quality risk to executive leadership.
What You'll Do
Lead Quality Governance & QMS
- Define, establish, and maintain MOEN‑wide Quality Management Systems (QMS) aligned with Nidec corporate and regulatory standards
- Align core quality principles with the unique operational needs of each business segment
- Establish consistent quality expectations across engineering, new product development, sourcing, and manufacturing interfaces
- Partner closely with MOEN Technology and Operations leadership to embed quality rigor across the lifecycle
Drive Quality Assurance & Risk Visibility
- Lead cross‑segment quality assessments, audits, and maturity reviews
- Evaluate engineering and product quality rigor, including design controls, change management, and root cause effectiveness
- Identify systemic risks, trends, and recurring issues impacting product integrity and customer outcomes
- Ensure corrective actions are implemented and validated to prevent recurrence
Strengthen Engineering & Product Quality
- Provide expert guidance on complex engineering quality challenges, failure modes, and prevention strategies
- Influence engineering and operational decisions through data, governance frameworks, and technical credibility
- Improve quality outcomes across the full product lifecycle—from concept through production
Build Capability & Enable Adoption
- Define MOEN‑wide QMS and quality training strategies based on capability gaps and audit findings
- Promote consistent application and adoption of quality practices across business segments
- Drive knowledge sharing, benchmarking, and continuous improvement of quality capabilities
Monitor Performance & Drive Continuous Improvement
- Define quality KPIs, dashboards, and review cadences across MOEN
- Analyze performance trends and identify early risk indicators
- Drive MOEN‑wide continuous improvement initiatives informed by QMS performance and audit outcomes
Partner & Influence Across the Organization
- Partner with executive leadership, platform leaders, and segment teams to embed quality as a business priority
- Coordinate with Nidec Corporation Japan (NCJ) and peer Quality leaders across Nidec business units
- Support executive decision‑making by translating quality performance and risk into clear, actionable insight
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or similar required); advanced degree preferred.
- 15+ years of progressive experience in engineering, quality, or technical leadership roles within industrial, manufacturing, or engineering‑driven organizations.
- Demonstrated success leading multi-site or multi‑business quality assessments, audits, or transformation efforts
- Deep expertise in Quality Management Systems (QMS) and engineering quality disciplines across the product lifecycle
- Strong knowledge of design controls, change management, and root cause methodologies (e.g., DFMEA, PFMEA, 4M, Six Sigma)
- Proven ability to influence senior leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders without direct authority
- Experience operating effectively in complex, matrixed, global organizations
- Ability to translate quality data and risk into clear, executive‑level insights and decisions
- Strong analytical, communication, and leadership presence
- Ability to work across diverse cultures and geographies
- Fluency in English required
Work Environment & Travel
- This role requires up to 50% travel and involves a combination of factory‑based engagement and corporate collaboration. While some work can be performed virtually, success in this role will depend on building strong, in‑person relationships across manufacturing sites, engineering teams, and leadership groups.
Why This Role Matters
This role is critical to strengthening quality rigor across MOEN by:
- Ensuring consistent and effective QMS implementation
- Driving alignment with corporate quality expectations
- Identifying and mitigating systemic risks early
- Elevating long‑term product, engineering, and operational quality performance
Additional Job Details
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Nidec
Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Work Shift Schedule
No Soliciting
Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.
