Senior Quality Assurance Manager

Senior Quality Manager

Location: Portland (Hillsboro), Oregon

About ChEmpower Corporation

ChEmpower Corporation is an advanced semiconductor materials company pioneering the next generation of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) technology. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, ChEmpower has developed the industry's first patented abrasive-free CMP platform, combining its proprietary Chakra™ chemically reactive polishing pad with environmentally responsible polishing fluids to deliver superior planarization performance for advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

ChEmpower's technology is designed to improve yield, enable advanced packaging and hybrid bonding applications, reduce defectivity, and significantly enhance sustainability compared to conventional abrasive-based CMP processes.

Backed by strong investors and a growing portfolio of intellectual property, ChEmpower is rapidly expanding its technology, manufacturing, and commercial operations. We are seeking exceptional individuals who thrive in fast-paced, innovation-driven environments and are passionate about transforming the future of semiconductor manufacturing.

Position Summary

ChEmpower is seeking an experienced and strategic Sr. Quality Manager to build, lead, and continuously improve the company's quality systems, product quality programs, supplier quality initiatives, and customer quality engagement activities.

This management position will be responsible for establishing a world-class quality organization capable of supporting the qualification and commercialization of advanced semiconductor consumables with leading logic, memory, foundry, and advanced packaging customers worldwide.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in scaling ChEmpower from an emerging technology company to a global supplier of high-performance semiconductor materials while ensuring compliance, reliability, and customer satisfaction across all operations.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute ChEmpower's quality strategy aligned with corporate growth objectives and customer qualification requirements.
• Build and lead the company's Quality organization, including Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Supplier Quality, and Customer Quality functions.
• Establish a culture of quality, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence throughout the organization.
• Serve as a member of the management team, providing strategic direction on quality and reliability initiatives.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain a scalable Quality Management System (QMS) supporting product development, pilot manufacturing, and commercial operations.
• Lead ISO 9001 certification efforts and ongoing compliance activities.
• Establish document control systems, change management processes, quality procedures, and training programs.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, internal quality standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Lead internal audits, management reviews, and external certification audits.

Product & Process Quality

• Establish quality metrics, process controls, and performance indicators across manufacturing and product development activities.
• Implement Statistical Process Control (SPC), process capability analysis, risk management methodologies, and data-driven decision-making processes.
• Lead root cause investigations, corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs, and non-conformance management activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Support product qualification, validation, and reliability programs for new materials, consumables, and manufacturing processes.

Customer Quality & Reliability

• Serve as the primary quality representative for customer engagements, audits, qualifications, and technical reviews.
• Lead customer quality issue resolution and establish effective escalation and response processes.
• Partner with technical and commercial teams to ensure customer expectations and reliability requirements are consistently achieved.
• Support qualification activities with semiconductor manufacturers, OEM equipment suppliers, and ecosystem partners.

Supplier Quality Management

• Develop and implement supplier qualification, monitoring, and performance management programs.
• Conduct supplier audits and establish quality agreements with critical suppliers.
• Collaborate with suppliers to improve quality performance, reduce risk, and ensure consistent material quality.
• Drive incoming quality control strategies and supplier corrective action programs.

Manufacturing Scale-Up & Commercialization

• Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Manufacturing teams to ensure successful technology transfer and commercialization.
• Support the scale-up of ChEmpower's polishing pad and polishing fluid manufacturing operations.
• Develop quality systems and controls appropriate for semiconductor-grade materials manufacturing.
• Ensure readiness for customer audits and production qualifications as the company expands globally.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced materials, specialty chemicals, CMP consumables, wafer fabrication, or related industries.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing quality organizations and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and maintaining Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 requirements and quality system implementation.
• Experience leading customer audits, supplier audits, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Expertise in SPC, CAPA, FMEA, root cause analysis, process capability analysis, and statistical quality methodologies.
• Excellent communication and customer-facing skills with the ability to engage effectively at both technical and executive levels.

Preferred

• Experience in CMP consumables, semiconductor materials, wafer fabrication, advanced packaging, or hybrid bonding technologies.
• Experience supporting Tier-1 semiconductor customers and qualification processes.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent quality certification.
• Experience with ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.
• Knowledge of ASTM standards and semiconductor manufacturing quality requirements.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Business Administration, or related field.

Why Join ChEmpower?

• Help shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing through disruptive abrasive-free CMP technology.
• Lead the development of a world-class quality organization from the ground up.
• Work alongside industry veterans and technology pioneers.
• Play a key role in enabling next-generation AI, memory, advanced packaging, and hybrid bonding technologies.
• Competitive salary, performance bonus, and equity participation.
• Comprehensive health benefits and 401(k) program.
• Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Professional development opportunities and career growth.
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ChEmpower Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.