IPQC Manager

Role: Paint Shop IPQC Manager

Location: Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad)

Reporting To: IPQC Head

Team Name: In-Process Quality Control (IPQC)

About the Team and the Role:

The IPQC team at Ather is the final line of defense, ensuring that our intelligent scooters move through the assembly line with zero compromises. As the Lead for Paint shop IPQC, you are the technical authority responsible for the integrity of the manufacturing process. Your role is to harmonize engineering precision with shop-floor execution, ensuring that every 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:

• Operational Governance: Take full accountability for maintaining all quality practices and controls on the paint shop line. Lead and align the team to meet SQCDM (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Morale) targets.
• Process Robustness: Drive continuous improvement initiatives to harden manufacturing processes. Partner with the PEX (Process Excellence) team to conduct internal audits and ensure the timely closure of all Non-Conformities (NCs).
• New Product Readiness: Oversee quality deliverables during critical bridge phases—X1-build, LVPT (Low Volume Production Trial), and HVPT (High Volume Production Trial)—ensuring all issues are resolved before transition to mass production.
• Strategic Planning: Forecast and secure necessary facilities, high-precision equipment, and personnel to meet organizational quality goals.
• Change Management: Manage the seamless implementation of Engineering Change Notices (ECN) and oversee document change controls within the division.
• Cross-Functional Synergy: Collaborate with Spec Ops for rapid containment actions to prevent line stops. Support MQA (Manufacturing Quality Assurance) by providing critical initial analysis data to hit SPR (Supplier Performance Rating) targets.
• The 3C Direction: Provide strategic leadership to the department centered on Culture, Capability, and Capacity, empowering team members to make informed decisions in technical spec-ops meetings.
• Team Leadership: 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 - B Tech in Chemical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience (no. of years) -10 to 14 Years
  
  

Must Have Competencies:

• In-Process Quality Mastery: Deep understanding of surface treatment (CED, Powder coating, spray painting), Monitoring critical paint process parameters and expertise in automotive/EV assembly quality gates, including end-of-line testing and in-station validation.
• SQCDM Framework: Proven ability to manage a department using SQCDM metrics to drive operational excellence.
• RCA & Troubleshooting: Expert-level proficiency in Root Cause Analysis (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) to drive permanent corrective actions.
• Audit Management: Experience in leading internal departmental audits and maintaining sustainability standards (ISO/IATF).
  
  

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.