Quality Engineer

Ouster; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ouster is seeking a Quality Engineer in San Francisco, CA to drive quality throughout the product lifecycle of lidar sensors, from design to mass production. The successful candidate will engage with R&D teams to implement best practices and lead initiatives for quality improvements.

Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience in high-tech hardware environments, a Bachelor's degree in an engineering field, and strong analytical skills. Competitive salary is offered between $139,000–$170,000 along with benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a Quality Engineer in high-tech hardware.
• Proficiency with core quality tools including FMEA and SPC.
• Strong communication skills to lead problem-solving discussions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Quality Management System processes.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis for non-conformances.
• Generate and present quality metrics to management.

Skills

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

8D/CAPA

Gage R&R

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related

Tools

JMP

Minitab

Tableau

Job description

At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We've transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip‑scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high‑resolution LIDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price. Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are used in autonomous cars, drones and many other applications. If you’re motivated by solving big problems, we’re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!

Quality Engineer

Will be a key contributor to Ouster's mission by driving world‑class quality throughout the entire product lifecycle of our cutting‑edge lidar sensors, from initial design to mass production and customer use. This role will focus on ensuring the quality, reliability, and manufacturability of our electromechanical, optical, and software‑enabled systems in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Process Quality & Improvement:
  • Develop, implement, and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) processes (e.g., ISO 9001/IATF 16949 compliance) specifically for the manufacturing of lidar sensors.
  • Lead the application of Advanced Quality Planning and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) methodologies for new product introductions (NPI) and engineering changes.
  • Utilize Statistical Process Control (SPC) and capability analysis to monitor and control critical process parameters in manufacturing and test environments.
• Failure Analysis & Corrective Action (CAPA):
  • Lead and document Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for internal non‑conformances and external customer returns using industry‑standard tools (e.g., 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams).
  • Drive the implementation of effective Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurrence of quality issues across design, manufacturing, and supply chain.
• Design & Product Quality:
  • Work with Design and R&D teams to implement Design for Quality/Manufacturability (DFQ/DFM) best practices.
  • Facilitate Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), including Design FMEA (DFMEA) and Process FMEA (PFMEA).
  • Define and review product quality inspection plans, test procedures, and specifications for complex opto‑mechanical and electronic components.
• Supplier Relationship Management:
  • Build and maintain a strong working relationship with the contract manufacturer, acting as the primary point of contact for all quality‑related matters. Facilitate communication and collaboration to resolve quality issues swiftly and effectively.
• Supplier Quality:
  • Support Supplier Quality Engineering activities, including component qualification, supplier audits, and monitoring supplier quality performance.
  • Ensure incoming materials meet specifications through robust inspection plans (e.g., Gage R&R studies).
• Reporting & Metrics:
  • Generate and present quality metrics, defect trends, and analysis reports to management and cross‑functional teams.
• Training and Development:
  • Provide training and guidance to contract manufacturer personnel on quality standards, inspection techniques, and best practices to foster a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
  • Train production and engineering staff on quality standards, procedures, and tools.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience as a Quality Engineer or Manufacturing Engineer in a high‑tech hardware industry (e.g., sensors, optical components, automotive electronics, complex electromechanical devices).
• Proven proficiency with core quality tools: SPC, FMEA (DFMEA/PFMEA), 8D/CAPA, and Gage R&R.
• In‑depth knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 quality management systems.
• Experience in a production environment involving optics, lasers, or highly precise mechanical assemblies is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead technical problem‑solving discussions across various departments.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certification (e.g., CQE, CSSBB).
• Experience with lidar, camera, or other high‑resolution sensor technology.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., JMP, Minitab) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau).
• Experience in the scale‑up from pilot production to high‑volume manufacturing (HVM).
• Familiarity with environmental and reliability testing standards (e.g., shock, vibration, thermal cycling).

Working Conditions & Location

This position is based at our San Francisco, CA headquarters with expectation of some lab/production floor work. Minimal travel may be required to support supplier audits or remote manufacturing sites.

The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($139,000–$170,000)

We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role.

Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender‑identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.