Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nLocation: Fremont, CA\nTravel: Approximately 30–40%, primarily Asia-PacificDepartment: Quality / Supplier QualityReports to: VP Quality\nPosition Overview\nWe are seeking an experienced Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) to join our Quality organization and provide technical leadership across our global supplier base supporting semiconductor fabrication equipment and related subsystems.\nThis role will be responsible for driving supplier quality performance, developing and qualifying suppliers, conducting Quality Management System and manufacturing process audits, leading root cause and corrective action activities, and ensuring that suppliers consistently meet demanding quality, reliability, delivery, and technical requirements.\nThe ideal candidate will have significant experience working within the semiconductor capital equipment supply chain, with a strong understanding of the manufacturing processes and failure modes associated with precision-machined components, mechanical assemblies, PCB/PCBA, integrated circuits, semiconductor packaging, and other high-technology components.\nThis position is highly cross-functional, and will work closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Supplier Development, Reliability Engineering, and Quality teams. The Senior SQE will be expected to work directly with suppliers to identify systemic issues, implement sustainable corrective actions, improve manufacturing processes, and establish robust quality controls.\nApproximately 30–40% travel is expected, primarily to suppliers and company factory sites located throughout Asia, including China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and other locations, as required.\nKey Responsibilities\nSupplier Quality Management\n\nOwn and manage the quality performance of assigned strategic and critical suppliers.\nEstablish supplier quality requirements, quality agreements, inspection criteria, control plans, and acceptance standards.\nMonitor supplier quality metrics, including PPM, defects, escapes, yield, corrective action closure, process capability, and on-time delivery.\nDevelop and implement supplier improvement plans for suppliers that do not meet established quality requirements.\nPartner with Procurement and Engineering during new supplier selection, qualification, development, and ongoing supplier performance management.\nSupport supplier sourcing activities, including technical assessments, manufacturing capability reviews, and supplier risk assessments.\nDrive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the supply base.\n\nQuality Management System Auditing\n\nConduct supplier Quality Management System (QMS) audits and manufacturing process audits.\nEvaluate supplier compliance with applicable quality standards and customer-specific requirements.\nAssess supplier processes for effective implementation of ISO 9001 and, where applicable, other relevant industry standards.\nPerform process/product audits, layered process audits, special process audits, and supplier capability assessments.\nIdentify systemic risks and ensure audit findings are addressed through effective corrective and preventive actions.\nVerify the effectiveness and sustainability of corrective actions through follow-up audits and objective evidence.\n\nRoot Cause / Corrective & Preventive Action\n\nLead supplier Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA)activities for significant quality issues.\nDrive structured problem-solving using methodologies such as:\n\n8D\n5-Why\nFishbone/Ishikawa\nFault Tree Analysis\nDOE\nPareto analysis\nStatistical analysis and process capability studies\n\nChallenge superficial or containment-only corrective actions and ensure suppliers identify and eliminate true systemic root causes.\nEstablish clear containment, corrective action, preventive action, and effectiveness-verification requirements.\nEscalate chronic or high-risk supplier issues when appropriate.\nCommunicate quality issues and corrective-action status effectively to internal stakeholders and senior management.\n\nManufacturing Process & Product Quality\nProvide technical quality oversight across a broad range of supplier manufacturing processes, including:\nPrecision Machining / Mechanical Components\n\nCNC machining\nTurning, milling, grinding and precision finishing\nTight-tolerance mechanical components\nSurface finishes and coatings\nDimensional inspection and metrology\nCleanliness and contamination control\nWelding, brazing and other joining processes\nMechanical assemblies\n\nPCB / PCBA\n\nPCB fabrication\nSMT and through-hole assembly\nSoldering and reflow processes\nComponent placement and workmanship\nElectrical test and functional test\nAOI, SPI and X-ray inspection\nPCB/PCBA failure analysis\nComponent traceability and counterfeit/quality risk mitigation\n\nSemiconductor / Integrated Circuits\n\nIntegrated circuit manufacturing and supplier quality\nIC assembly and packaging\nSemiconductor package technologies and associated failure mechanisms\nWafer/die-related quality considerations\nIC packaging, assembly and test processes\nElectrical and mechanical failure modes\nReliability testing and qualification\nFailure analysis and corrective action\n\nGD&T / Metrology / Inspection\n\nDemonstrate strong working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and its application to complex precision components and assemblies.\nInterpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, datums, and inspection requirements.\nEvaluate supplier measurement systems and inspection methodologies.\nReview and approve inspection plans and FAI/First Article Inspection documentation.\nSupport source inspection and supplier inspection activities for critical components.\nWork with suppliers to establish appropriate measurement methods, sampling plans, and acceptance criteria.\nEvaluate CMM, optical measurement, surface measurement, and other dimensional inspection techniques.\n\nSPC / Process Capability\n\nEstablish and evaluate Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies at suppliers.\nReview control charts and process performance for critical characteristics.\nAnalyze Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk and other process capability metrics.\nIdentify process variation, trends, shifts, and sources of instability.\nPartner with suppliers to establish appropriate control plans and reaction plans.\nApply statistical techniques and data-driven approaches to improve process capability and reduce variation.\nSupport DOE and other statistical methodologies where appropriate.\n\nReliability / Failure Analysis\n\nWork with suppliers and internal engineering teams to investigate product failures and reliability issues.\nUnderstand common failure modes associated with ICs, semiconductor packaging, electronics, PCBA, mechanical components, and assemblies.\nSupport development and execution of reliability testing and qualification programs.\nReview reliability test plans, results, and failure analysis reports.\nParticipate in failure analysis activities, including identification of physical, mechanical, electrical, thermal, contamination, and process-related failure mechanisms.\nEnsure lessons learned are incorporated into supplier processes and product controls.\n\nSupplier Inspection & Qualification\n\nPerform and/or coordinate source inspection at supplier facilities.\nDefine inspection requirements for critical, high-risk, or first-time-build components.\nSupport First Article, prototype, qualification, and production-release activities.\nDevelop supplier inspection strategies based on product criticality and risk.\nReview supplier inspection data, certificates, material certifications, test reports, and traceability records.\nSupport supplier process qualification and production readiness reviews.\nEnsure critical characteristics are properly identified and controlled throughout the supplier's manufacturing process.\n\nCross-Functional Collaboration\n\nPartner with Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Reliability, Operations, Procurement, and Program Management.\nRepresent Supplier Quality in new product introduction (NPI) and design transfer activities.\nParticipate in design reviews and provide Design for Manufacturability/Design for Quality feedback.\nIdentify supplier-related risks early in the product development process.\nTranslate engineering requirements into practical supplier quality and inspection requirements.\nProvide technical leadership and mentorship to other Supplier Quality Engineers.\n\nRequired Qualifications\n\nBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.\n7+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, Quality Engineering, or Supplier Development, preferably within the semiconductor fabrication equipment, semiconductor, electronics, or high-precision manufacturing industries.\nDemonstrated experience managing and developing Asian-based suppliers.\nStrong understanding of Quality Management Systems and supplier auditing.\nProven experience leading RCA, 8D, CAPA, and corrective-action investigations.\nStrong working knowledge of GD&T and engineering drawings.\nHands-on experience with SPC, process capability analysis, control plans, MSA/Gage R&R, and statistical problem solving.\nExperience with source inspection, First Article Inspection (FAI), supplier qualification, and production part approval.\nDemonstrated ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical specifications, and manufacturing documentation.\nExperience with precision machined components and assemblies.\nExperience with PCB/PCBA manufacturing, inspection, testing, and failure modes.\nExperience with integrated circuits, semiconductor packaging, reliability testing, and failure analysis.\nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to identify process and quality trends.\nAbility to independently lead supplier quality investigations and drive issues to closure.\nWillingness and ability to travel internationally approximately 30–40%, primarily throughout Asia.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\nExperience directly supporting semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment / semiconductor capital equipment.\nExperience with semiconductor equipment OEMs, subsystem suppliers, or critical component manufacturers.\nMandarin language proficiency strongly preferred or considered a significant plus.\nExperience working with suppliers in China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, or other Asia-Pacific manufacturing regions.\nASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Supplier Quality Engineer, or related certification.\nLead Auditor certification or formal training in ISO 9001 auditing.\nExperience with AS9100, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, or other quality standards is a plus, depending on supplier commodity.\nExperience with FMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, DOE, DFM/DFA, and APQP.\nExperience with semiconductor IC assembly, packaging, burn-in, electrical test, environmental testing, and reliability qualification.\nKnowledge of semiconductor equipment cleanliness and contamination-control requirements.\nExperience with vacuum components, precision motion systems, RF components, power electronics, sensors, thermal systems, or other semiconductor equipment subsystems.\nFamiliarity with ERP/MRP and supplier quality management systems.\nExperience using statistical and quality-analysis software such as Minitab or equivalent.\n\nCore Competencies\nThe successful candidate will demonstrate:\n\nTechnical depth: Ability to understand complex manufacturing processes, product requirements, and failure mechanisms.\nSupplier leadership: Ability to influence suppliers and drive sustainable improvement without relying solely on contractual escalation.\nProblem solving: Strong analytical approach to identifying root causes and preventing recurrence.\nQuality mindset: Relentless focus on prevention, process control, variation reduction, and continuous improvement.\nCommunication: Ability to clearly communicate technical issues and recommendations to engineers, suppliers, executives, and cross-functional teams.\nCultural awareness: Ability to build productive relationships across different cultures and business environments, particularly throughout Asia.\nOwnership: Willingness to personally engage with difficult supplier issues and drive them through resolution.\nTravel flexibility: Comfortable spending significant time at international supplier and factory locations.\n\nWhat Success Looks Like\nIn this role, success will be demonstrated by:\n\nImproved quality performance and reduced defect rates across assigned suppliers.\nReduction in supplier escapes and recurring quality issues.\nTimely and effective closure of supplier corrective actions.\nIncreased supplier process capability and stability.\nSuccessful qualification and development of new suppliers.\nRobust implementation of SPC, control plans, inspection strategies, and preventive quality controls.\nEarly identification and mitigation of supplier quality risks during NPI.\nStrong supplier relationships coupled with clear accountability for quality performance.\nConsistent delivery of high-quality components and assemblies required to support complex semiconductor manufacturing equipment.