Director of Product Quality
Axcelis · Beverly, MA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Quality
- Base pay
- $168k–$252k
- Travel
- 30%
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level quality role at Axcelis (industrial) in Beverly, MA. Build, mentor, and lead a high‑performing global Manufacturing Quality team.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree preferred · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, 5S, Root cause, SPC
- Base pay
- $168k–$252k
- Day to day
- about 30% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in Massachusetts: typical posted base $107k–$149k. This one lists $168k–$252k.
Median of the low and high ends of 51 live postings that list pay, out of 71 quality engineer openings in Massachusetts, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Massachusetts plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 70 other live quality postings in Massachusetts.
- Base pay
- About 77% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $100k–$138k, from 39 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 69%
- FDA / GMP 59%
- ✓ CAPA 51%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 51%
- ISO 13485 45%
- ✓ FMEA 38%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Black Belt, 5S, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Axcelis
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- The posting says about 30% travel. Between which sites?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Axcelis in Beverly
6 other open roles at this site.
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- Equipment Engineer III - Technology Development · Manufacturing · Senior
- Senior Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Process Engineer - Ion Implant · Process
Full description from AxcelisAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
The Director of Product Quality at Axcelis Technologies will lead global strategic and operational initiatives to ensure world‑class manufacturing quality across all Axcelis production sites. This role is responsible for driving First Time Right manufacturing, defect prevention, process capability, and factory readiness, ensuring that semiconductor capital equipment is built consistently, reliably, and in full compliance with quality and regulatory requirements. This leader will partner closely with Manufacturing Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Customer Quality to embed quality at the source, reduce manufacturing escapes, and continuously improve factory performance. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands‑on quality leader with deep experience in complex, high technology manufacturing environments and a proven ability to scale quality systems in support of business growth.
Required
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field; Master’s degree preferred.
- ✓10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing quality or operations quality within semiconductor capital equipment or high‑tech manufacturing.
- ✓Proven experience leading manufacturing quality teams in complex environments.
- ✓Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, manufacturing quality systems, and process control methodologies.
- ✓Expert in quality tools and methodologies (FMEA, SPC, 8D, RCA, CAPA, Lean, Six Sigma).
- ✓Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence at all organizational levels.
- ✓Strong communication & presentation skills with both technical & executive audiences.
- ✓Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required (30%).
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Manufacturing Quality Leadership & Strategy
- •Define and execute the global Manufacturing Quality strategy aligned with organization’s business objectives and growth plans.
- •Serve as the primary quality partner to Manufacturing Operations leadership.
- •Ensure consistent manufacturing quality standards, processes, and execution across all factories.
Factory Quality & Process Control
- •Own manufacturing quality performance including defect rates, rework, scrap, escapes, DOAs, in-box quality, and out‑of‑box quality.
- •Establish and maintain standardized workmanship requirements, inspection plans, quality gates, and control plans.
- •Ensure manufacturing processes are capable, repeatable, auditable, and scalable.
Defect Prevention & Issue Resolution
- •Lead root cause analysis (RCA), corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and structured problem‑solving using 8D, A3, and other methodologies.
- •Drive rapid containment and permanent corrective actions for manufacturing nonconformances.
- •Partner with Engineering to prevent recurrence through design, process, and documentation improvements.
Quality Systems & Compliance
- •Oversee the development and continuous improvement of ISO 9001‑compliant manufacturing quality systems within the Axcelis Management System (AMS).
- •Ensure compliance with internal procedures, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
- •Lead internal audits, factory readiness reviews, and manufacturing process assessments.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- •Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, Product Engineering, Test, and Supply Chain to embed quality early in the product lifecycle.
- •Partner with Supplier Quality to ensure effective incoming quality, containment, and supplier corrective actions.
- •Work closely with Customer Quality to reduce manufacturing escapes and improve customer perception of factory quality.
Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
- •Establish, monitor, and report manufacturing quality KPIs and metrics.
- •Champion Lean, 5s, Six Sigma, SPC, and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing.
- •Drive accountability through data‑driven decision making and regular governance.
Team Development & Leadership
- •Build, mentor, and lead a high‑performing global Manufacturing Quality team.
- •Foster a culture of ownership, prevention, and continuous improvement.
- •Develop talent and support succession planning to meet future business needs.
Preferred
- +Experience supporting high‑mix, low‑to‑medium volume capital equipment manufacturing.
- +Experience working in global manufacturing environments.
- +Six Sigma Black Belt, ASQ CQE, or ISO Lead Auditor certification.
- +Strong passion for quality, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.