Quality Engineer

ttmtech; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

TTM Technologies, Inc. is seeking a Quality Engineer for the printed wiring board manufacturing operation. The role focuses on reducing process variation, preventing defects, and driving continuous improvement through data-driven problem solving.

You will partner with production, process engineering, and QA to monitor processes, analyze defects and SPC data, implement corrective actions, and ensure adherence to manufacturing standards and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and evaluate manufacturing processes throughout the PWB production flow to identify sources of variation, recurring defects, and opportunities for improvement
• Analyze in-process inspection results, process yields, scrap, rework, and defect trends to identify emerging issues and prioritize improvement efforts
• Partner with production and process engineering teams to establish, maintain, and improve process controls, inspection criteria, control plans, and standardize work practices
• Verify adherence to manufacturing procedures, process specifications, workmanship standards, and quality requirements
• Support the development and implementation of process monitoring methods that promote early defect detection and prevention
• Lead structured investigations into internal manufacturing defects. Process excursions, nonconformances, and recurring quality issues
• Apply problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, fishbone diagrams, fault tree analysis, and other appropriate root cause analysis tools
• Drive corrective and preventative actions that address underlying process causes rather than relying on inspection, sorting, or rework as the primary solution
• Verify the effectiveness of corrective actions through process data, follow-up audits, and sustained performance monitoring
• Work with manufacturing teams to establish appropriate containment measures and ensure timely resolution of internal quality issues
• Track corrective actions to completion and escal
• Develop, implement, and maintain SPC methods, process capability studies, and other analytical tools appropriate to PWB manufacturing
• Assess the quality impact of changes to materials, equipment, tooling, process parameters, and manufacturing methods
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to develop effective error-proofing, defect prevention, and process verification strategies
• Ensure that inspection and measurement methods provide reliable, repeatable, and actionable information for process control
• Provide quality engineering support dispositioning process-specific defects such as dimensional variation, registration issues, plating defects, shorts and opens, etch anomalies, delamination, solder mask defects, and other internal manufacturing nonconformances
• Acquire and use process knowledge and manufacturing data to identify defect mechanisms, establish corrective actions, and prevent recurrence
• Support the development and improvement of inspection methods, defect classification systems, and process-specific quality standards
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing scrap, rework, defect rates, and process variability
• Use 9CI Elements: Customer Satisfaction, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, 6S/Visual Management, Total Productive Maintenance, Jidoka/Andon, Zero Defect program, 8D Problem Solving, Quality Alerts, and Design of Experiments
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership using clear, data-supported analysis
• Promote preventative quality practices and strengthen process ownership

Job description

TTM Technologies, Inc. - Publicly Traded US Company, NASDAQ (TTMI) - Top-5 Global Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer

About TTM

TTM Technologies, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of technology products, including mission systems, radio frequency ("RF") components, RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, and technologically advanced printed circuit boards ("PCB"s). TTM stands for time-to-market, representing how TTM's time-critical, one-stop design, engineering and manufacturing services enable customers to reduce the time required to develop new products and bring them to market.

Additional information can be found at www.ttm.com

Summary

This is a hands-on, shop-floor-focused role for an experienced quality professional who can translate quality data into actionable process improvements, influence cross-functional teams, and build a culture of prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The Quality Engineer is responsible for driving product quality, process stability, and continuous improvement throughout the PWB manufacturing operation. This role focuses primarily on internal manufacturing processes, with an emphasis on identifying and eliminating process variation, preventing defects, improving first-pass yield, and ensuring consistent execution of established manufacturing standards.

Working closely with production supervisors, operators, and process engineers, the Quality Engineer uses data-driven problem-solving, root cause analysis, statistical process control, and structured corrective action methods to resolve recurring quality issues and improve overall manufacturing performance.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Manufacturing Process Quality

• Monitor and evaluate manufacturing processes throughout the PWB production flow to identify sources of variation, recurring defects, and opportunities for improvement
• Analyze in-process inspection results, process yields, scrap, rework, and defect trends to identify emerging issues and prioritize improvement efforts
• Partner with production and process engineering teams to establish, maintain, and improve process controls, inspection criteria, control plans, and standardize work practices
• Verify adherence to manufacturing procedures, process specifications, workmanship standards, and quality requirements
• Support the development and implementation of process monitoring methods that promote early defect detection and prevention

Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action

• Lead structured investigations into internal manufacturing defects. Process excursions, nonconformances, and recurring quality issues
• Apply problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, fishbone diagrams, fault tree analysis, and other appropriate root cause analysis tools
• Drive corrective and preventative actions that address underlying process causes rather than relying on inspection, sorting, or rework as the primary solution
• Verify the effectiveness of corrective actions through process data, follow-up audits, and sustained performance monitoring
• Work with manufacturing teams to establish appropriate containment measures and ensure timely resolution of internal quality issues
• Track corrective actions to completion and escal

Process Control and Quality Engineering

• Develop, implement, and maintain SPC methods, process capability studies, and other analytical tools appropriate to PWB manufacturing
• Assess the quality impact of changes to materials, equipment, tooling, process parameters, and manufacturing methods
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to develop effective error-proofing, defect prevention, and process verification strategies
• Ensure that inspection and measurement methods provide reliable, repeatable, and actionable information for process control

Technical Support

• Provide quality engineering support dispositioning process-specific defects such as dimensional variation, registration issues, plating defects, shorts and opens, etch anomalies, delamination, solder mask defects, and other internal manufacturing nonconformances
• Acquire and use process knowledge and manufacturing data to identify defect mechanisms, establish corrective actions, and prevent recurrence
• Support the development and improvement of inspection methods, defect classification systems, and process-specific quality standards

Continuous Improvement and Operational Performance

• Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing scrap, rework, defect rates, and process variability
• Use 9CI Elements: Customer Satisfaction, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, 6S/Visual Management, Total Productive Maintenance, Jidoka/Andon, Zero Defect program, 8D Problem Solving, Quality Alerts, and Design of Experiments
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership using clear, data-supported analysis
• Promote preventative quality practices and strengthen process ownership
• Identify opportunities to simplify controls, elim