Senior Quality Engineer

Sanmina; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental coverage

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Bonus/commission potential

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Sanmina Corporation in Fremont, CA is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to lead quality initiatives across NPI and sustaining programs. You will audit, validate and improve designs and processes, drive CAPA actions, and collaborate with ME/Production to prevent issues.

The role requires GD&T proficiency, CMM and SolidWorks experience, LEAN/Six Sigma expertise, and strong problem-solving skills to ensure robust quality across manufacturing for aerospace, automotive, and AI-related systems.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering or similar degree with 4+ years of experience in the manufacturing industry or 8 years of experience in lieu of an engineering degree.
• 4+ years’ work experience in a Quality Engineering role.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying and interpreting GD&T standards on mechanical drawings.
• Strong hands-on experience with CMM, including programming, operation, and data interpretation.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for reviewing 3D models, extracting measurement data, and interacting with engineering documentation.
• Experience in LEAN, Six Sigma and Process Validation.
• ASQ CQE/CSSBB or equivalent preferred.
• Strong knowledge of requirements for mechanical drawings and product specifications to communicate to suppliers.
• Strong working knowledge of design and manufacturing process controls.
• Ability to use metrology and statistical methods to diagnose and correct quality control practices.
• Computer literacy in Word, Excel, Oracle.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with ME and Production to facilitate process fixes, investigate root causes, track defect trends, and ensure systemic changes to prevent recurrence.
• Incorporate ISO, API Q1, and AS9100 standards through the product life cycle by auditing, validating, and verifying inspection and process control methodologies.
• Provide guidance on Six Sigma principles and DOE to NPI team members and Repair Staff.
• Develop and execute verification and validation plans and protocols for product/process quality per ISO and SOPs.
• Manage multiple projects with detailed tasks and cross-functional coordination.
• Support supplier audits and evaluate proposed vendor changes for NPI and sustaining activities.
• Perform internal audits of the quality system to ISO requirements.
• Support the CAPA program and timely closure of corrective/preventive actions.
• Control, implement and review ECOs to ensure compliance to quality system.
• Estimate and gather information on timelines and costs related to QA/QC tasks.

Skills

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing

LEAN

Six Sigma

Quality Engineering

Problem solving

Statistical methods

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CMM

SolidWorks

Job description

Description

Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a global powerhouse in integrated manufacturing solutions serving the fastest growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. We are a global engine providing the end-to-end manufacturing backbone for the world's most essential and innovative brands. Whether it's autonomous vehicles, life-saving medical tech, next-gen aerospace, or AI/cloud infrastructure - our integrated solutions don’t just meet standards—they redefine them.

Summary

Located in Silicon Valley, Sanmina Fremont offers a unique, single-location end-to-end mechanical systems manufacturing service. The facility specializes in low-to-mid volume production, New Product Introduction (NPI), and Design for Manufacturability (DFM). Its comprehensive, high-tolerance capabilities range from small parts to fully integrated and tested systems, including sheet metal fabrication, precision machining, manual/robotic welding, and advanced in-house painting. Powered by an accelerated volume-to-market model, the Fremont operation delivers highly flexible logistics, distribution, and repair services tailored to fast-changing customer needs.

It is an incredibly exciting time to work in fabrication and integration within the manufacturing sector. What once consisted of highly manual, labor-intensive machine processes has morphed into an era of robotics, automation, and complex engineering. Fremont supports the critical infrastructure driving the semiconductor, automotive, defense, aerospace, and artificial intelligence sectors. As AI transforms multiple key industries, Sanmina Fremont is leading the charge by building specialized server racks designed for AI workloads, alongside sophisticated cooling solutions to optimize both performance and energy efficiency. Sanmina offers diverse opportunities across various fields—including production, welding, design engineering, and account management. Working at Sanmina Fremont means collaborating with cross-functional teams and multiple departments to be an integral part of this dynamic and fast-growing industry.

At Sanmina, we cultivate internal talent and provide resources for everyone to thrive. Whether you are looking to build foundational skills or expand your existing expertise, you can leverage our Tuition Reimbursement program, master new software, and diversify your portfolio. We also offer vibrant platforms for professionals eager to lead, mentor, and train others.

As we expand our cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities, we are looking for a motivated Senior Quality Engineer who wants to build a meaningful career and join our dynamic team in Fremont.

What You'll Do

The QA Engineer is responsible for supporting all quality engineering activities to support the product life cycle, from the introduction of new products (NPI) through sustaining changes. This includes auditing, verifying, and validating product designs and manufacturing processes, project planning, and applicable documentation, rather than actively participating in the creation of design specifications or manufacturing requirements. The position is responsible for investigating root causes, tracking defect trends, and ensuring systemic changes are implemented so issues do not recur. QA does not fix the process alone; instead, QA facilitates process improvements and corrective actions collaboratively with Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and Production. The position will also develop, modify, apply and maintain quality standards, and generate protocols and reports. The QA Engineer provides coaching to engineers and repair personnel on quality system requirements and process improvement methodologies for their product families

• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and Production to facilitate process fixes, investigate root causes, track defect trends, and ensure systemic changes are made to prevent the recurrence of issues.
• Incorporate ISO, API Q1, and AS9100 standards through the product life cycle by auditing, validating, and verifying the required inspection and process control methodologies.
• Provide authoritative guidance about six sigma principles (Sampling, Acceptance Criteria, DOE, Statistical Process Control, Root Cause Analysis, FMEA) as well as guidance on Design Control elements to New Product Introduction (NPI) team members and Repair Staff.
• Develop and execute verification and validation plans and protocols associated with product/process quality according to ISO regulations and company SOPs.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously without supervision, including creating detailed project tasks, interfacing with team members, and solving project-related conflicts.
• Support supplier audits to ensure supplier capability including reconciliation of inspection methods, and evaluation of proposed vendor changes for NPI and sustaining activities.
• Perform internal audits of the quality system to ISO requirements.
• Support the CAPA program to facilitate the timely closure of corrective and preventative actions.
• Control, implement and review ECOs to ensure compliance to quality system.
• Estimate and gather necessary information on timelines and cost related to QA/QC tasks for Project Planning.
• Perform hazard and risk analysis for new products and sustaining products.
• Perform investigations for issues affecting product quality.
• Act as liaison between QA and project engineers to ensure that inspection process capabilities have been verified and appropriately documented.
• Review and analyze mechanical drawings utilizing SolidWorks for inspection planning and verification.
• Develop, implement, and verify inspection plans utilizing CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) equipment and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) principles.

What You'll Bring

• BS in Engineering or similar degree with 4+ years of experience in the manufacturing industry or 8 years of experience in lieu of an engineering degree.
• 4+ years’ work experience in a Quality Engineering role.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying and interpreting Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) standards on mechanical drawings.
• Strong hands-on experience with Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM), including knowledge of programming, operation, and data interpretation.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for reviewing 3D models, extracting measurement data, and interacting with engineering documentation.
• Experience in LEAN, Six Sigma and Process Validation.
• ASQ CQE/CSSBB or equivalent preferred.
• Strong knowledge of requirements for mechanical drawings and product specifications required to communicate requirements to suppliers.
• Strong working knowledge of design and manufacturing process controls.
• Ability to use metrology and statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper quality control practices and inspection plan development.
• Computer literate in various software applications (i.e. - Word, Excel, Oracle).
• Strong technical writing skills and ability to create technical protocols and reports as well as manufacturing/inspection procedures.
• Independent organization and prioritization of multiple tasks.
• Ability to internally and externally discuss, and clearly define, key technical and process development issues and independently develop course of action/plans.
• Ability to cooperate and support team members and ability to coordinate interdepartmental activities and to resolve individual conflicts and issues.

Why Join Us?

At Sanmina, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $110,000 and $140,000, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Sanmina employees also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Sanmina, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment. Sanmina provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Please be aware that this position may require access to technology, software, or technical data that is subject to U.S. export control laws. All offers of employment are contingent on the applicant either 1) being a "U.S. Person," defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, or (iii) other protected individual, such as a refugee under 8 U.S.C.

• 1157 or asylee under 8 U.S.C.
• 1158; or 2) being eligible to obtain a timely export control license or license exception from the applicable U.S. federal agency.