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Senior Quality Assurance & Control Manager

Minneapolis, MN

About Sparkfund

Sparkfund is the utility services company unlocking capacity on the grid. Through its Distributed Capacity Procurement (DCP) model, Sparkfund enables utilities, energy majors, and large-load customers to deploy front-of-the-meter batteries and gensets as distribution infrastructure. By adding targeted capacity exactly where and when the grid needs it most, DCP helps meet demand, support reliability, and put downward pressure on rates. Sparkfund supports program design, grid value assessment, asset host engagement, and value chain management to ensure on-time, on-budget deployment with maximum system value and lowest cost.

With more than 3,200 projects deployed across 43 states and more than 300MW of energized assets constructed, Sparkfund is transforming customer-sited assets into a valuable portfolio resource for the benefit of our society. To learn more about Sparkfund, visit sparkfund.com.

Senior Manager, Quality Assurance & Control

Minnesota (Onsite/Field-Based) | Full-Time

Help Build the Quality Standard for the Future of Energy

At Sparkfund, we're helping organizations deploy and scale distributed energy solutions that support a more resilient and sustainable energy future. Our work sits at the intersection of energy infrastructure, construction, engineering, and operations — bringing battery storage and distributed energy projects from concept to reality.

We're looking for a Senior Manager, Quality Assurance & Control to lead and scale Sparkfund's field quality program across our growing portfolio of distributed energy projects.

This is more than a quality management role. It's an opportunity to build systems, lead a team, influence how projects are delivered, and establish the quality standards that ensure projects are safe, reliable, and ready for long-term operation.

If you're passionate about quality, operational excellence, team leadership, and building scalable programs that drive measurable impact, we'd love to talk.

Why Join Sparkfund?

Quality is one of the most important drivers of project success.

As Senior Manager, Quality Assurance & Control, you'll have the opportunity to build and strengthen the quality systems that support Sparkfund's growing portfolio of distributed energy projects. You'll work across construction, commissioning, engineering, and operations to ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards while helping prevent issues before they occur.

This role offers significant visibility and influence across the organization. You'll partner directly with leadership, lead a team of quality professionals, and help shape how Sparkfund approaches field quality as we continue to grow.

You'll be joining a collaborative, mission-driven organization where your expertise will directly contribute to building infrastructure that supports a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

What You'll Do

Lead Sparkfund's Quality Program

  • Own and continuously improve Sparkfund's quality assurance and quality control program across a growing portfolio of distributed energy projects

  • Develop inspection standards, audit frameworks, quality metrics, acceptance criteria, and field quality processes

  • Establish portfolio-wide quality reporting and performance metrics

  • Analyze quality trends, identify systemic issues, and implement corrective actions that improve project outcomes

Build and Lead a High-Performing Team

  • Recruit, develop, and lead a team of QA/QC professionals responsible for field audits and quality inspections

  • Establish clear performance expectations, accountability standards, and development plans

  • Manage team workload, resource planning, and audit coverage across active projects

  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, documentation rigor, and operational excellence

Drive Field Quality Excellence

  • Oversee quality audits and inspections across active construction projects

  • Validate substantial completion and commissioning readiness prior to project handoff

  • Ensure projects conform to approved drawings, specifications, applicable codes, and program requirements

  • Conduct field reviews on complex, high-risk, or escalated projects as needed

Manage Defects and Contractor Accountability

  • Own portfolio-wide defect management processes from identification through verified closure

  • Partner with construction teams, subcontractors, and vendors to resolve quality issues and improve performance

  • Track recurring quality concerns and drive long-term solutions

  • Support vendor performance improvement and quality accountability initiatives

Partner Across the Business

  • Collaborate with Construction, Project Management, Engineering, Commissioning, Safety, and Operations teams to align quality expectations and delivery standards

  • Provide quality reporting, insights, and recommendations to leadership

  • Serve as Sparkfund's subject matter expert for field quality and commissioning readiness

  • Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen project delivery and operational performance

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

  • 7+ years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, field inspections, commissioning, construction management, or industrial infrastructure projects

  • Experience leading or managing QA/QC teams, field inspection teams, or quality programs

  • Demonstrated experience developing quality standards, inspection frameworks, or quality management processes

  • Strong field observation, documentation, and problem-solving skills

  • Experience reviewing work against drawings, specifications, scopes of work, or applicable codes and standards

  • Ability to effectively influence contractors, vendors, and project stakeholders while maintaining quality expectations

  • Comfortable working in active construction environments and traveling to project sites

Preferred Experience

  • Experience supporting distributed energy, battery storage, utility, renewable energy, EPC, or infrastructure projects

  • Familiarity with commissioning workflows, punch lists, and project handoff processes

  • CQM, CQI, or similar quality management certification

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

  • Knowledge of construction safety practices and field compliance requirements

What Success Looks Like

  • Building a scalable, high-performing quality program that supports Sparkfund's growing project portfolio

  • Delivering consistent, high-quality project outcomes across active construction sites

  • Reducing recurring defects through process improvement and root-cause analysis

  • Developing a strong team capable of executing audits and quality reviews with consistency and rigor

  • Establishing trusted partnerships across construction, engineering, commissioning, and operations teams

  • Ensuring projects are commissioning-ready and delivered to the highest quality standards

Compensation

$152,500 – $185,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and geographic location alignment.

Benefits & Perks

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

  • 401(k) with employer match

  • Flexible vacation policy designed to support work-life balance

  • Federal holidays observed plus alternating four-day work weeks (every other Friday off)

  • 12 weeks gender-neutral paid caregiver leave

  • Monthly communication stipend

  • Opportunities to grow within a rapidly evolving energy industry

  • Collaborative, mission-driven culture focused on innovation and impact

Location & Travel

This position is based in Minnesota and requires regular travel to active project and construction sites. Candidates must reside within reasonable commuting distance of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Sparkfund is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

Sparkfund also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs or practices, in all phases of the hiring process and throughout employment. If you need an accommodation, please let us know. 

Disclaimer 

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties, responsibilities, and requirements may change at any time based on business needs. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply — even if you do not meet every listed qualification — as skills and competencies can develop in different ways.

 

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