Product Engineer 4

Acara Solutions, Inc.; Tualatin (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions is seeking a Product Engineer 4 / Supplier Engineer to lead ceramic and coating supplier initiatives for advanced semiconductor products. You will own qualification plans, coordinate cross-functional teams, and ensure manufacturing readiness while mitigating material risks.

The role demands strong technical leadership, extensive experience with ceramic processes, and a proven ability to drive supplier recovery, qualify alternate materials, and manage complex quality and process

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related with 5+ years of experience
• PhD in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related with 3+ years of experience
• 5+ years of experience in supplier engineering, product engineering, manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, or advanced materials development
• 3+ years of experience with ceramic manufacturing processes (forming, sintering, machining, grinding, polishing, finishing)
• 3+ years of experience with thermal spray coating technologies and materials (alumina, yttria, rare-earth oxides)
• 3+ years of experience evaluating material properties, powder characterization, and process impacts on product performance
• 2+ years of experience using characterization tools (SEM/EDS, XRD)
• 2+ years of experience using JMP, Minitab or similar statistical tools
• 3+ years experience in semiconductor equipment, materials, or advanced manufacturing industries

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Supplier Engineering SPOC for critical ceramic and coating suppliers.
• Lead technical efforts related to material shortages, supplier recovery, and supply continuity.
• Drive cross-functional execution from risk identification through containment, qualification, validation and production.
• Develop qualification plans, acceptance criteria, testing requirements, and change management with Product Groups.
• Lead supplier technical reviews focused on manufacturing capability and production readiness.
• Evaluate supplier processes including forming, sintering, machining, grinding, polishing, coating and finishing.
• Resolve supplier quality issues using structured problem-solving (8D, PSDMP, FMEA, 5-Why).
• Conduct root-cause investigations and drive CAPAs.
• Maintain material risk dashboards, trackers, qualification roadmaps, and executive reports.
• Communicate risks and findings to cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Support supplier audits, qualifications, transfers, and continuous improvement programs.

Skills

Supplier engineering

Materials science

Statistical analysis

Problem solving

Cross-functional leadership

Technical presentations

Quality management

Education

Master's in Materials Science / Ceramic Engineering

PhD in Materials Science / Ceramic Engineering

Tools

SEM/EDS

XRD

JMP

Minitab

Job description

We are seeking a Product Engineer 4 / Supplier Engineer - Ceramics & Coatings. In this highly visible role, you'll serve as the technical lead for critical ceramic and coating suppliers, driving supplier qualifications, material risk mitigation, quality improvements, and supply continuity initiatives supporting advanced semiconductor products.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Work on cutting-edge semiconductor technologies that drive the future of the industry.
• Partner with world-class ceramic, coating, and advanced materials suppliers.
• Lead high-impact initiatives critical to manufacturing continuity and product innovation.
• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, quality, manufacturing, and executive leadership teams.
• Influence strategic supplier and technology decisions across global operations.

Why This Opportunity is Exciting:

This position puts you at the center of solving complex material and supplier challenges affecting critical semiconductor technologies. You'll lead supplier recovery efforts, qualify alternate materials and suppliers, drive process improvements, and ensure manufacturing readiness for advanced ceramic and coating components essential to production success.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

What You'll Do:

• Serve as the Supplier Engineering single point of contact (SPOC) for critical ceramic and coating suppliers.
• Lead technical efforts related to material shortages, supplier recovery plans, and supply continuity initiatives.
• Drive cross-functional execution from risk identification through containment, qualification, validation, and production implementation.
• Develop and align qualification plans, acceptance criteria, testing requirements, and change management activities with Product Groups.
• Lead supplier technical reviews focused on manufacturing capability, capacity, process controls, and production readiness.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes including forming, sintering, machining, grinding, polishing, coating, and finishing operations.
• Resolve supplier quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D, PSDMP, FMEA, and 5-Why analysis.
• Conduct root-cause investigations and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain material risk dashboards, project trackers, qualification roadmaps, and executive-level reporting.
• Communicate supplier risks, technical findings, recommendations, and trade-offs to cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Support supplier audits, qualifications, technology transfers, and continuous improvement programs.

Job Requirements

What You'll Bring:

• Master's degree in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience; OR
• PhD in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in supplier engineering, product engineering, manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, or advanced materials development.
• 3+ years of experience working with ceramic manufacturing processes including forming, sintering, machining, grinding, polishing, or finishing operations.
• 3+ years of experience supporting thermal spray coating technologies and materials such as alumina, yttria (yttrium oxide), and rare-earth oxide coatings.
• 3+ years of experience evaluating material properties, powder characterization, and manufacturing process impacts on product performance.
• 2+ years of experience utilizing characterization tools such as SEM/EDS, XRD, or similar materials analysis techniques.
• 2+ years of experience using statistical tools such as JMP, Minitab, or equivalent analytical platforms.
• 3+ years of experience within semiconductor equipment, semiconductor materials, or advanced manufacturing industries.

What Sets You Apart:

• Deep understanding of ceramic powder characterization and how powder properties impact manufacturing performance and final product quality.
• Experience managing supplier escalations, recovery plans, and supply chain risk mitigation initiatives.
• Strong expertise in structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D, FMEA, PSDMP, Lean, and statistical analysis.
• Experience leading technical qualifications and supplier audits without direct authority.
• Strong executive presentation and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence global cross-functional teams and drive decision-making.
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing ramp-ups and production continuity efforts.
• Ability to rapidly assess technical risks and develop executable mitigation plans.
• Strong analytical mindset with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems, supplier qualification processes, and manufacturing controls.
• Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Additional Information:

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check.
• Security Clearance Requirements: None specified.
• Overtime: May be required based on supplier support and project needs.
• Top Skills: Ceramic manufacturing processes, thermal spray coatings, ceramic powder characterization, SEM/EDS, XRD, JMP/Minitab, supplier engineering, quality management, and structured problem-solving.
• Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.
  

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.