Senior Sustaining Engineer

Digital Dynamics; Scotts Valley (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Digital Dynamics Inc. is seeking a Senior Sustaining Engineer to maintain and improve released products, acting as a technical leader for resolving complex issues and driving design improvements. This role partners with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Test, and Customer Support, providing mentorship to junior engineers.

The candidate will own sustaining activities, develop ECOs, ensure documentation accuracy, and help iterate cost-effective product updates throughout the lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of engineering experience, including sustaining or lifecycle support.
• Experience with electro-mechanical systems and high-reliability products.
• Proven expertise in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation (CAPA).
• Experience cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Proficiency with engineering documentation, ECO processes, and PLM/ERP systems.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to lead technical discussions.

Responsibilities

• Own sustaining engineering activities for released products, including issue resolution, design updates, and product enhancements.
• Serve as the technical escalation point for complex field, manufacturing, and customer-reported issues.
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and implement CAPA.
• Lead failure analysis investigations and reliability improvements.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Engineering documentation

ECO processes

PLM/ERP systems

Leadership / mentoring

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

ECO processes

PLM/ERP systems

Job description

Location: Scotts Valley, CA (Onsite)
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Director of Engineering / Engineering Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About Digital Dynamics Inc.

Digital Dynamics Inc. (DDI) is a 100% employee-owned technology company specializing in precision motion control, automation, and advanced electromechanical systems for the semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing industries. As an ESOP organization, we empower every employee-owner to think and act like an owner—driving accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the business.

Position Summary

The Senior Sustaining Engineer plays a critical role in maintaining, improving, and extending the life of DDI’s released products. This role serves as a technical leader responsible for resolving complex product issues, driving design improvements, supporting manufacturing and supply chain, and ensuring product reliability, quality, and cost effectiveness throughout the product lifecycle.

This position partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Test, and Customer Support, while providing mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers.

Key Responsibilities

Product Sustaining & Technical Leadership

• Own sustaining engineering activities for released products, including issue resolution, design updates, and product enhancements
• Serve as the technical escalation point for complex field, manufacturing, and customer-reported issues
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Lead failure analysis investigations and reliability improvements

Design Changes & Documentation

• Develop and review Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), deviations, and product updates
• Ensure accurate documentation, including drawings, BOMs, specifications, and work instructions
• Maintain product compliance with internal standards, customer requirements, and regulatory needs

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Support

• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to improve yield, throughput, and test effectiveness
• Support supplier qualification, component obsolescence mitigation, and second-source strategies
• Evaluate cost-reduction opportunities without compromising quality or performance

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Quality on audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support Customer Service and Applications teams with technical expertise and customer communications
• Interface with New Product Introduction (NPI) teams to ensure smooth handoff from development to sustaining

Mentorship & Process Improvement

• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level engineers
• Contribute to standardization of engineering processes, tools, and best practices
• Promote an employee-owner mindset through accountability, ownership, and collaboration

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 8+ years of engineering experience, including sustaining or lifecycle support of complex products
• Strong experience with electro-mechanical systems and high-reliability products
• Proven expertise in root cause analysis, failure analysis, and corrective action implementation
• Experience working cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams
• Proficiency with engineering documentation, ECO processes, and PLM/ERP systems
• Excellent communication skills and ability to lead technical discussions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in semiconductor capital equipment or high-tech manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with regulatory and quality systems (ISO, customer audits, industry standards)
• Experience supporting products through long lifecycle and end-of-life transitions
• Prior leadership or mentoring experience

Why Join DDI

DDI is committed to diversity in its workforce, including Equal Employment Opportunity for Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.