Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

Location: Fremont, CA Travel: Approximately 30-40%, primarily Asia-PacificDepartment: Quality / Supplier QualityReports to: VP Quality Position Overview We 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. This 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. The 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. This 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. Approximately 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. Key Responsibilities Supplier Quality Management

Own and manage the quality performance of assigned strategic and critical suppliers. Establish supplier quality requirements, quality agreements, inspection criteria, control plans, and acceptance standards. Monitor supplier quality metrics, including PPM, defects, escapes, yield, corrective action closure, process capability, and on-time delivery. Develop and implement supplier improvement plans for suppliers that do not meet established quality requirements. Partner with Procurement and Engineering during new supplier selection, qualification, development, and ongoing supplier performance management. Support supplier sourcing activities, including technical assessments, manufacturing capability reviews, and supplier risk assessments. Drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the supply base.

Quality Management System Auditing

Conduct supplier Quality Management System (QMS) audits and manufacturing process audits. Evaluate supplier compliance with applicable quality standards and customer-specific requirements. Assess supplier processes for effective implementation of ISO 9001 and, where applicable, other relevant industry standards. Perform process/product audits, layered process audits, special process audits, and supplier capability assessments. Identify systemic risks and ensure audit findings are addressed through effective corrective and preventive actions. Verify the effectiveness and sustainability of corrective actions through follow-up audits and objective evidence.

Root Cause / Corrective & Preventive Action

Lead supplier Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA)activities for significant quality issues. Drive structured problem-solving using methodologies such as:

8D 5-Why Fishbone/Ishikawa Fault Tree Analysis DOE Pareto analysis Statistical analysis and process capability studies

Challenge superficial or containment-only corrective actions and ensure suppliers identify and eliminate true systemic root causes. Establish clear containment, corrective action, preventive action, and effectiveness-verification requirements. Escalate chronic or high-risk supplier issues when appropriate. Communicate quality issues and corrective-action status effectively to internal stakeholders and senior management.

Manufacturing Process & Product Quality Provide technical quality oversight across a broad range of supplier manufacturing processes, including: Precision Machining / Mechanical Components

CNC machining Turning, milling, grinding and precision finishing Tight-tolerance mechanical components Surface finishes and coatings Dimensional inspection and metrology Cleanliness and contamination control Welding, brazing and other joining processes Mechanical assemblies

PCB / PCBA

PCB fabrication SMT and through-hole assembly Soldering and reflow processes Component placement and workmanship Electrical test and functional test AOI, SPI and X-ray inspection PCB/PCBA failure analysis Component traceability and counterfeit/quality risk mitigation

Semiconductor / Integrated Circuits

Integrated circuit manufacturing and supplier quality IC assembly and packaging Semiconductor package technologies and associated failure mechanisms Wafer/die-related quality considerations IC packaging, assembly and test processes Electrical and mechanical failure modes Reliability testing and qualification Failure analysis and corrective action

GD&T / Metrology / Inspection

Demonstrate strong working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and its application to complex precision components and assemblies. Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, datums, and inspection requirements. Evaluate supplier measurement systems and inspection methodologies. Review and approve inspection plans and FAI/First Article Inspection documentation. Support source inspection and supplier inspection activities for critical components. Work with suppliers to establish appropriate measurement methods, sampling plans, and acceptance criteria. Evaluate CMM, optical measurement, surface measurement, and other dimensional inspection techniques.

SPC / Process Capability

Establish and evaluate Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies at suppliers. Review control charts and process performance for critical characteristics. Analyze Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk and other process capability metrics. Identify process variation, trends, shifts, and sources of instability. Partner with suppliers to establish appropriate control plans and reaction plans. Apply statistical techniques and data-driven approaches to improve process capability and reduce variation. Support DOE and other statistical methodologies where appropriate.

Reliability / Failure Analysis

Work with suppliers and internal engineering teams to investigate product failures and reliability issues. Understand common failure modes associated with ICs, semiconductor packaging, electronics, PCBA, mechanical components, and assemblies. Support development and execution of reliability testing and qualification programs. Review reliability test plans, results, and failure analysis reports. Participate in failure analysis activities, including identification of physical, mechanical, electrical, thermal, contamination, and process-related failure mechanisms. Ensure lessons learned are incorporated into supplier processes and product controls.

Supplier Inspection & Qualification

Perform and/or coordinate source inspection at supplier facilities. Define inspection requirements for critical, high-risk, or first-time-build components. Support First Article, prototype, qualification, and production-release activities. Develop supplier inspection strategies based on product criticality and risk. Review supplier inspection data, certificates, material certifications, test reports, and traceability records. Support supplier process qualification and production readiness reviews. Ensure critical characteristics are properly identified and controlled throughout the suppliers manufacturing process.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Reliability, Operations, Procurement, and Program Management. Represent Supplier Quality in new product introduction (NPI) and design transfer activities. Participate in design reviews and provide Design for Manufacturability/Design for Quality feedback. Identify supplier-related risks early in the product development process. Translate engineering requirements into practical supplier quality and inspection requirements. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other Supplier Quality Engineers.

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline. 7+ 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. Demonstrated experience managing and developing Asian-based suppliers. Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems and supplier auditing. Proven experience leading RCA, 8D, CAPA, and corrective-action investigations. Strong working knowledge of GD&T and engineering drawings. Hands-on experience with SPC, process capability analysis, control plans, MSA/Gage R&R, and statistical problem solving. Experience with source inspection, First Article Inspection (FAI), supplier qualification, and production part approval. Demonstrated ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical specifications, and manufacturing documentation. Experience with precision machined components and assemblies. Experience with PCB/PCBA manufacturing, inspection, testing, and failure modes. Experience with integrated circuits, semiconductor packaging, reliability testing, and failure analysis. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to identify process and quality trends. Ability to independently lead supplier quality investigations and drive issues to closure. Willingness and ability to travel internationally approximately 30-40%, primarily throughout Asia.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience directly supporting semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment / semiconductor capital equipment. Experience with semiconductor equipment OEMs, subsystem suppliers, or critical component manufacturers. Mandarin language proficiency strongly preferred or considered a significant plus. Experience working with suppliers in China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, or other Asia-Pacific manufacturing regions. ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Supplier Quality Engineer, or related certification. Lead Auditor certification or formal training in ISO 9001 auditing. Experience with AS9100, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, or other quality standards is a plus, depending on supplier commodity. Experience with FMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, DOE, DFM/DFA, and APQP. Experience with semiconductor IC assembly, packaging, burn-in, electrical test, environmental testing, and reliability qualification. Knowledge of semiconductor equipment cleanliness and contamination-control requirements. Experience with vacuum components, precision motion systems, RF components, power electronics, sensors, thermal systems, or other semiconductor equipment subsystems. Familiarity with ERP/MRP and supplier quality management systems. Experience using statistical and quality-analysis software such as Minitab or equivalent.

Core Competencies The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Technical depth: Ability to understand complex manufacturing processes, product requirements, and failure mechanisms. Supplier leadership: Ability to influence suppliers and drive sustainable improvement without relying solely on contractual escalation. Problem solving: Strong analytical approach to identifying root causes and preventing recurrence. Quality mindset: Relentless focus on prevention, process control, variation reduction, and continuous improvement. Communication: Ability to clearly communicate technical issues and recommendations to engineers, suppliers, executives, and cross-functional teams. Cultural awareness: Ability to build productive relationships across different cultures and business environments, particularly throughout Asia. Ownership: Willingness to personally engage with difficult supplier issues and drive them through resolution. Travel flexibility: Comfortable spending significant time at international supplier and factory locations.

What Success Looks Like In this role, success will be demonstrated by:

Improved quality performance and reduced defect rates across assigned suppliers. Reduction in supplier escapes and recurring quality issues. Timely and effective closure of supplier corrective actions. Increased supplier process capability and stability. Successful qualification and development of new suppliers. Robust implementation of SPC, control plans, inspection strategies, and preventive quality controls. Early identification and mitigation of supplier quality risks during NPI. Strong supplier relationships coupled with clear accountability for quality performance. Consistent delivery of high-quality components and assemblies required to support complex semiconductor manufacturing equipment.