Quality Lead

BlueHeart Energy Heemskerk

What is required?

  • MSc / Science graduate
  • 8+ years in quality engineering roles, ideally in deep tech, clean tech, HVAC, or thermodynamics
  • Strong background in industrialization, testing, supplier quality, and project-based QA
  • Background in clean energy, power systems, battery technology, automotive, gas combustion, or similar fields
  • Experience in building and managing a team of quality professionals
  • Experience with startups or scale-ups transitioning from R&D to production
  • Knowledge of ISO 9001, PED, and other relevant standards
  • Familiarity with DFMEA/PFMEA, reliability testing, and compliance certification
  • Good command of the Dutch and English language, both spoken and written
  • Pragmatic, solution-driven, detail-focused, and passionate about building quality systems and culture

What will you get?

  • €5,000 - €7,000 gross p/m (depending on knowledge and experience)
  • 40-hour workweek
  • 25 vacation days
  • A training budget is available upon agreement
  • NS Business Card and travel expense reimbursement
  • Fully catered lunch at the office
  • Hybrid working environment

What will you do?

  • 30% Building and maintaining the Quality Management System
  • 30% Conducting quality assurance and audits
  • 20% Collaborating with teams and suppliers
  • 10% Mentoring and improving processes
  • 10% Process administration and preparing reports
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This vacancy has been created based on interviews with employees to help you get a realistic preview of the job.

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Mark van der Velden

Corporate Recruiter

Vacancy

As Quality Lead at BlueHeart Energy, you are responsible for building and leading our quality framework from the ground up, ensuring that our thermoacoustic technology meets the highest safety and performance standards as we scale from R&D to production. You will design and implement a Quality Management System (QMS) that complies with ISO 9001 and PED, guiding all phases from engineering design to prototype testing and early manufacturing. Working closely with the R&D and engineering teams in Heemskerk, you will establish quality standards while ensuring that parts from Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers meet specifications. By conducting audits, leading root cause analyses, and mentoring junior team members, you will foster a culture of quality and continuous improvement within the organization. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about clean energy and wants to actively contribute to delivering reliable and sustainable heat solutions.

In this position, you will split your time between the office, labs, and occasional supplier visits, solving complex problems and collaborating with various teams. As BlueHeart Energy’s first quality-focused hire, you will lay the foundation for a future Quality department that will grow alongside the company from pilot to series production. You will report directly to the Management team, possibly the CEO, and regularly present updates on the QMS’s progress, risks, and resource needs. Your responsibilities include not only building and improving systems but also inspiring and guiding others to ensure quality across all processes.

You will join a driven and innovative team within the Engineering & Operations department based in Heemskerk. Collaboration and passion for groundbreaking technologies accelerating the energy transition are at the heart of this team. As Quality Lead, your role is crucial in successfully realizing this mission. Together, you will build a future-proof quality foundation that guarantees the excellence of our products and processes.

If you enjoy solving complex problems, building quality systems from scratch, and inspiring teams to embrace a culture of quality, then this is a job for you.

Working week

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Quality Lead

On an enjoyable day, you start in the lab tweaking test protocols with engineers to perfect a prototype. After a team lunch, you lead a root cause analysis and wrap up with a stand-up meeting to share progress and plan next steps.

On a less enjoyable day, you spend time in the office working through detailed QMS documentation to meet ISO 9001 deadlines. You spend the afternoon resolving a supplier’s recurring part defect, involving lots of back-and-forth emails.

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Firsthand experience

During prototype testing, a component fails to meet performance specifications. For instance, there is inconsistent heat output. What do you do?

In this situation, you take the lead by organizing a root cause analysis with the Engineering team to thoroughly investigate the issue. You identify that the problem originates from a supplier’s material defect. Then, you update the Quality Management System’s test protocol to better detect such issues early on. By collaborating closely with the supplier, you ensure the defect is corrected to meet the required standards. This proactive approach guarantees the component’s quality is production-ready, preventing future failures and supporting BlueHeart Energy’s commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance products.

Growth

The career path at BlueHeart Energy is not fixed. The company expects to continue growing rapidly in the coming years, creating opportunities for everyone ready to take on new responsibilities. BlueHeart Energy offers training and courses, and knowledge sharing among employees is very important. The significant advantage of the startup phase is that initiative is highly valued, allowing you to create your own role. As BlueHeart Energy grows, so do you. BlueHeart adopted Agile working from January 2023, improving team collaboration.

Quality Lead
Quality Manager

Working at BlueHeart Energy

BlueHeart Energy was founded in 2016 to apply thermoacoustics as a technology in heat pumps and other applications as a replacement of compression technology. Thermoacoustics is a disruptive approach to generate heat and cold, with potential to revolutionize the whole industry. Over the past seven years, BHE has developed a thermoacoustic engine to power heat pumps and airco systems in residential buildings and other (industrial) applications. This so called 'Blue Heart' of a heat pump is sold to manufacturers. We are continuous improving the 'Blue Heart' with new developed and optimizations. As well we will develop different products over time. Besides this, we will set up our production facility, strengthen the relationships with our customers (OEM's and ODM's) and set up pilot projects in houses and other (industrial) applications and monitor these.

  • Headquarters in Heemskerk
  • 45 employees
  • Active in more than 10 countries
  • 20% / 80%
  • Average age 38 years
  • Casual
  • Hybrid working

Colleagues

Photo of employee Alireza
Photo of employee Michiel Hartman
Photo of employee Haico Halbesma
Photo of employee Roel Verhagen
Photo of employee Dick
Photo of employee Michelle
Photo of employee Jan
Photo of employee Luke
Photo of employee Shakthi
Photo of employee Casper
Photo of employee 	 Nico

Alireza (29) - Project engineer in R&D department

Why did you decide to work for this company?
Before this, I studied thermoacoustics during my master and PhD program and I was always eager to combine thermoacoustics with an environmentally friendly system. I came across Blue Heart energy's website during my research period and I was an immediate fan. When Michiel pitched all his ideas to me, I only thought about one thing:when can I start?

What was your previous job?
Before joining Blue Heart Energy company, I was busy with PhD program at Tarbiat Modares University besides doing some research for aerospace institute.

What do you do in your spare time?
Playing football, inline skating and of course still working on PhD.

Michiel Hartman (53) - CEO

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I founded Blue Heart because sustainable heating and cooling is one of the biggest challenges in the energy transition. Thermoacoustics is one of the game changers to make this possible. A complex technique with great impact which requires a great team with various specialties. Building Blue Heart on all these aspects is my big motivator.

What was your previous job?
Founder of QWIC electric bicycles and president of the Branch Association of Electric Transport. I was also temporary Project Manager of large heat projects in The Netherlands.

What do you do in your spare time?
Tennis, skiing, family, outdoor sports (workouts and water sports).

Haico Halbesma (54) - Chief Financial Officer

Why did you decide to work for this company?
Blue Heart's Energy goal to green the built environment in terms of heating and cooling appealed to me greatly. This combined with the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team on the complex challenge of applying this clean solution widely, bringing it to the market on a large scale and getting it produced in the Netherlands.

What was your previous job?
Director.

What do you do in your spare time?
Sailing.

Roel Verhagen (44) - Lead Designer

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I chose to work at Blue Heart Energy because I sought to make a tangible impact in my work. The company's startup environment provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of a truly innovative product at the intersection of science, product development, and mass production. Working in a diverse team where roles are flexible keeps the work engaging and dynamic.

What was your previous job?
Product Developer

What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy engaging in active activities with my children, as well as attending festivals, independent films, and theater performances.

Dick (30) - Test engineer - Electronics, Software, Control and Testing

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I found it appealing to work for a start-up that is tackling a technologically challenging problem. Additionally, the company brings together people from diverse cultures and nationalities, which also attracted me.

What was your previous job?
Assistant project manager at Vattenfall

What do you do in your spare time?
Training for the triathlon, playing the piano, and meeting up with friends.

Michelle (31) - Lead operations - Pilot line assembly

Why did you decide to work for this company?
The technical industry has always interested me, even though my background is not in engineering. Blue Heart offers me the opportunity to grow within this industry. I also enjoy working in a start-up environment, where I can take on multiple responsibilities and tasks.

What was your previous job?
Glassblower and heritage specialist

What do you do in your spare time?
Making art

Jan (56) - Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Why did you decide to work for this company?
At a startup like Blue Heart, you get the opportunity to find solutions for new challenges.

What was your previous job?
Engineering Manager

What do you do in your spare time?
Ice skating, golfing and biking

Luke (33) - Electromechanical Technician

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I chose to work at Blue Heart Energy because I wanted to be part of a fast-paced startup where my technical skills directly contribute to groundbreaking innovations in sustainable technology. The hands-on nature of the Electromechanical Technician role allows me to build, troubleshoot, and improve cutting-edge systems while collaborating closely with passionate and skilled colleagues. Most importantly, I feel a strong sense of purpose knowing that my work helps advance clean energy solutions for a better future.

What was your previous job?
Entrepeneur

What do you do in your spare time?
Go running and drinking beers with friends after running!

Shakthi (24) - Test Engineer - R&D Department

Why did you decide to work for this company?
The thermoacoustic heat pump idea was so fascinating to me when I heard about it and I was amazed by its potential and was excited to understand and help solve the challenges. Also I've always wanted to contribute to a more sustainable future and working at this company allows me to do that.

What was your previous job?
nvt

What do you do in your spare time?
Crocheting, reading, trying something new

Casper - Embedded Engineer

Why did you decide to work for this company?
Innovative company with a pleasant work environment. Feels good to further the cause of next generation HVAC technology.

What was your previous job?
Embedded engineer RR Mechatronics

What do you do in your spare time?
Guitar, music, meditation, gaming, watching shows.

Nico (35) - I work for the testing team as an electromechanical technician

Why did you decide to work for this company?
First, the name caught my attention. After that I realised that the intention, the mission of the company was pretty interesting and the ways to achieve such goal were aligned with sustainability and design.

What was your previous job?
I worked as engineer at DTU Nanolab

What do you do in your spare time?
Climb, dance, yoga, travels, gatherings, outdoor activities.

Application process

Introductory phone call with the Recruiter
± Within 1–2 weeks
First interview with the Hiring Manager
± Within 3 days
Second interview
± Within 1 week
Terms of employment discussion
± Within 2 days
Job offer

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