Principal Engineer-Quality

FHLB Des Moines; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 232,000; Full time

Job summary

Microchip Technology Inc. is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer for Supplier Operations to lead supplier quality and drive continuous improvement across the global supply chain.

The role partners with suppliers, factories, and business units to resolve complex quality issues, perform audits, and strengthen supplier capabilities. Travel may be required to support initiatives worldwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Chemical), Material Science, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of quality engineering, supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or supplier management experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of Material Science and Mechatronics Engineering principles.
• Experience leading supplier quality initiatives, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement programs.
• Root cause analysis experience and implementation of corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier quality initiatives to ensure materials and components meet quality requirements.
• Investigate and resolve supplier-related quality issues through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Monitor supplier quality performance metrics and drive supplier development.
• Conduct supplier quality and process audits and ensure closure of corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate failures and determine root causes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to be a part of something great? Want to join a 17,000-member team that works on the technology that powers the world around us? Looking for an atmosphere of trust, empowerment, respect, diversity, and communication? How about an opportunity to own a piece of a multi-billion dollar (with a B!) global organization? We offer all that and more at Microchip Technology Inc. People come to work at Microchip because we help design the technology that runs the world. They stay because our culture supports their growth and stability. They are challenged and driven by an incredible array of products and solutions with unlimited career potential. Microchip’s nationally-recognized Leadership Passage Programs support career growth where we proudly enroll over a thousand people annually. We take pride in our commitment to employee development, values-based decision making, and strong sense of community, driven by our Vision, Mission, and 11 Guiding Values; we affectionately refer to it as the Aggregate System and it’s won us countless awards for diversity and workplace excellence. Our company is built by dedicated team players who love to challenge the status quo; we did not achieve record revenue and over 30 years of quarterly profitability without a great team dedicated to empowering innovation. People like you. Visit our careers page to see what exciting opportunities and company perks await!

Job Description:

The Principal Quality Engineer for Supplier Operations is responsible for leading supplier quality performance and continuous improvement initiatives across Microchip's global supply chain. This role partners with suppliers, factories, and business units to resolve complex quality issues, drive corrective actions, and improve manufacturing processes. Through supplier audits, failure analysis, and performance management, the position ensures materials and components consistently meet quality, reliability, and operational requirements. The role serves as a key technical leader in mitigating supply chain risk and strengthening supplier capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier quality initiatives to ensure raw materials and components meet Microchip's quality, reliability, and manufacturing requirements.
• Support Microchip factories and business units in the investigation and resolution of supplier-related quality issues through root cause analysis, containment activities, corrective actions, and preventive actions.
• Monitor supplier quality performance metrics and scorecards, identify improvement opportunities, and drive supplier development initiatives.
• Conduct supplier quality and process audits, ensuring timely implementation and closure of corrective actions.
• Partner with internal Quality Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Purchasing teams to evaluate quality failures identified during incoming inspection and production and determine supplier-related root causes.
• Drive supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts utilizing established quality processes, including Failure Analysis, Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), Nonconformance Review Board (NRB) activities, and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes, workmanship standards, and quality systems to ensure compliance with Microchip requirements and industry standards.
• Collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders across multiple Microchip sites to improve supplier performance, reduce risk, and strengthen supply chain quality.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship in supplier quality methodologies, problem-solving approaches, and quality system improvements.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Chemical), Material Science, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of quality engineering, supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or supplier management experience within a semiconductor, aerospace, electronics, automotive, or similar regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of Material Science and Mechatronics Engineering principles.
• Experience leading supplier quality initiatives, supplier performance management, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement programs.
• Proven experience conducting root cause analysis and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence suppliers and cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to solve complex technical and operational problems using structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with stamping and forming processes, including tooling, die wear, burr formation, springback, and material flow analysis.
• Experience with plating processes, including nickel, gold, and copper plating, and associated thickness control methodologies.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, J‑STD‑001, J‑STD‑002, wire crimping, soldering processes, and special process audits.
• Proficiency with statistical process control (SPC), root cause and corrective action (RCCA), supplier development, and systemic corrective action methodologies.
• Strong understanding of automotive core quality tools and quality management systems, including ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, and VDA 6.3 audit requirements.
• Familiarity with JEDEC, IPC, and Military Standard requirements applicable to semiconductor assembly and surface mount device (SMD) packages.
• Experience working with global suppliers and cross‑functional teams in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
• Professional certifications such as ASQ CQE, CQA, CMQ/OE, or equivalent are highly desirable.
• Strong project management, coordination, and follow‑up skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

U.S. Export Controls Requirements

This job requires access to technology, materials, software or hardware that is controlled by the export laws of the United States. Candidates are required to provide proof of either US citizenship, Permanent US residency or classification as a protected individual as defined in 8 USC 1324b (a) (3).

Travel Time

0% - 25%

Physical Attributes

• Feeling
• Hearing
• Other
• Seeing
• Talking
• Works Alone
• Works Around Others

Physical Requirements

• 10% standing
• 10% walking
• 80% sitting; Usual business hours

Pay Range

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive base pay, restricted stock units, and quarterly bonus payments. In addition to these components, our package includes health benefits that begin day one, retirement savings plans, and an industry leading ESPP program with a 2 year look back feature. Find more information about all our benefits at the link below: Benefits of working at Microchip The annual base salary range for this position, which could be performed in the US, is $75,000-$232,000.* *Range is dependent on numerous factors including job location, skills and experience.

Equal Opportunity

Microchip Technology Inc is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Poster.

About Microchip

At Microchip, employees are our greatest strength. As one of the top performing semiconductor companies in the world, we are led by a set of guiding values and a mission to empower innovation to enhance the human experience. We work tirelessly to create a company culture that highlights how important every employee is to our mission.