Quality Engineer IV

Drives supplier's performance improvement through objective measurement and analysis of production line yields, quality audits, reliability testing, and field returns. The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for driving quality excellence across the manufacturing lifecycle, including Surface Mount Technology (SMT), Final Assembly, Testing, and Packaging.

Job Title: Supplier Quality Engineer
Location: Cupertino, CA 95014 (Onsite)
Duration: 6 Months Contract

Job Summary
The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for driving quality excellence across the manufacturing lifecycle, including Surface Mount Technology (SMT), Final Assembly, Testing, and Packaging. This role partners closely with suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams to improve manufacturing quality, enhance production yields, and ensure products meet the highest standards for performance, reliability, and cosmetic appearance. The successful candidate will lead quality improvement initiatives, resolve technical operational issues, and drive continuous improvement across global manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities

• Drive resolution of technical and operational quality issues related to SMT, Final Assembly, Testing, and Packaging processes.
• Improve supplier performance through objective measurement and analysis of production yields, quality audits, reliability testing, and field return data.
• Collaborate closely with Asia-based engineering teams to ensure Product Quality Plan deliverables are clearly understood and effectively executed.
• Develop, implement, and enhance quality systems that ensure products are delivered with flawless cosmetic standards.
• Apply lessons learned from previous product launches to improve manufacturing readiness, reduce quality risks, and accelerate production ramp-up.
• Lead sustaining quality improvement initiatives and facilitate cross-functional quality review forums.
• Escalate critical quality issues, perform root cause analysis, and present resolution options to cross-functional teams and executive leadership.
• Partner with suppliers to drive continuous process improvements and ensure compliance with quality standards and customer expectations.

Duties:

• Drives closure of technical operational issues related to SMT, Final Assembly, Test, and Packaging
• Drives supplier's performance improvement through objective measurement and analysis of production line yields, quality audits, reliability testing, and field returns
• Works closely with Asia-based Engineers to ensure that Product Quality Plan deliverables are understood and properly executed
• Develops and enhances systems to ensure products are delivered with flawless cosmetics
• Uses lessons learned from previous programs to avoid pitfalls and shorten the production execution learning curve
• Leads sustaining quality improvement forums
• Escalates key issues and presents options for resolution to the cross-functional team and executive management

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or another technical discipline.
• Proven expertise in quality management, quality planning, and quality engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Subject matter expertise in quality methodologies including:
  • Product Quality Plans (PQP)
  • Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
  • Quality Audits
  • Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
  • Incoming Quality Control (IQC)
  • Assembly and Outgoing Quality Control (OQC)
  • Sampling methodologies
• Strong knowledge of statistical quality techniques, including:
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)
  • Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL)
  • Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
• Working knowledge of advanced quality tools and methodologies, including:
  • Design of Experiments (DOE)
  • Correlation Analysis
  • Reliability Analysis
• Basic understanding of Metrology and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to evaluate demanding cosmetic quality standards and supplier inspection results.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated success identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions under tight deadlines.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and manage quality issues in a global organization.
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments with a strong understanding of production processes, testing, kitting, and packaging within industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, or medical devices.
• Demonstrated supplier quality management and supplier development experience.

Skills:

• Expert quality management, planning, and engineering skills
• Subject matter expert for all things quality including Quality Plans, FMEA s, auditing, corrective and preventative actions, and sampling methodologies for IQC, assembly, and OQC
• Demonstrated capability with quality statistical techniques including SPC, sampling AQL s, and measurement system analysis
• Working knowledge of advanced quality techniques such as design of experiments, correlation analysis, and reliability analysis
• Basic understanding of metrology and GDT
• Discriminating eye for demanding cosmetic categorization and supplier inspection
• Keen problem solving analytical skills capable of getting to root cause quickly in challenging environments and with tight deadlines
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to manage and drive issues to closure in a global organization
• High-volume manufacturing experience with a detailed understanding of production processes, testing, kitting, and packaging (e.g., consumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, etc.)
• Supplier management experience