Staff Supplier Quality Engineer PCB/PCBA

InvestedintheMission; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

401K savings plan

Job summary

Skydio seeks a Supplier Quality Engineer to strengthen its supplier base through audits, quality planning, and robust process controls for PCB, PCBA, and electronics manufacturing. You will collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure readiness for new product introductions and production ramp.

You will drive PFMEA/DFMEA, control plans, PPAP, and 8D investigations, aiming to minimize defects and maximize field reliability across multiple geographies. Travel 20–30%.

Qualifications

• Quality engineering experience in high-volume electronics or similar industries.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and on-site assessments.
• Knowledge of PCB/PCBA manufacturing and electronics reliability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct supplier assessments and on-site audits to evaluate PCB, PCBA, and electronics manufacturing suppliers' quality systems, process controls, and overall production capabilities.
• Partner with engineers to ensure quality planning, manufacturability, testability, and supplier readiness for new products.
• Drive qualification activities including PFMEA, PVT, and readiness reviews to meet design and reliability requirements.
• Lead quality planning during prototype, pre-production, and mass production phases, including control plans and outgoing quality strategies.
• Manage SCARs, 8D investigations, containment actions, and root cause analysis to resolve issues and drive improvements.
• Develop supplier scorecards and KPIs focusing on quality, reliability, yield, and responsiveness.

Skills

Quality engineering

Supplier management

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Audits & inspections

Tools

PFMEA

DFMEA

Control Plans

PPAP

8D problem solving

Root Cause Analysis

SPC

DOE

IPC standards

Job description

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial mobility. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from utility inspectors to first responders, soldiers in battlefield scenarios, and beyond.

About the Role

Insightfully designed manufacturing processes and fully qualified supplier relationships are critical elements in bringing tightly integrated, sophisticated electromechanical systems to major markets. As a member of Skydio’s Supplier Quality Engineering team, you’ll work with our Product Design, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Design, Supply Chain, and Quality teams and interface with current and potential suppliers to strengthen Skydio’s supplier base to meet our increasing production volume & quality needs.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Conduct supplier assessments and on-site audits to evaluate PCB, PCBA, and electronics manufacturing suppliers' quality systems, process controls, and overall production capabilities.

• Partner with Electrical, Manufacturing, and Design Engineers throughout the Hardware Product Development Process to ensure robust quality planning, manufacturability, testability, and supplier readiness for new product introductions and volume production.

• Drive supplier qualification activities including process audits, First Article Inspections (FAI), Production Validation Builds (PVT), and manufacturing readiness reviews to ensure compliance with Skydio's design, reliability, and quality requirements.

• Lead supplier quality planning during prototype, pre-production, and mass production phases, including control plans, PFMEAs, process validations, and outgoing quality strategies to minimize incoming inspection and maximize field reliability.

• Manage supplier corrective action requests (SCARs), 8D investigations, containment actions, and root cause analysis efforts to rapidly resolve quality issues and drive systemic improvements.

• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards and key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on quality, reliability, yield, and responsiveness, driving continuous improvement initiatives toward zero defects.

• Analyze manufacturing and field quality data to identify trends, assess supplier performance, and proactively mitigate risks related to PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, component quality, and electronic system reliability.

• Collaborate with suppliers to implement robust inspection, test, and process control methodologies that ensure consistent product quality and long-term process capability.

What Makes You a Good Fit

• You are a self-starter with a passion for delivering exceptional quality and reliability in advanced electronic products.

• You possess strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and supplier partners to achieve quality objectives.

• You have experience developing, qualifying, and managing electronics manufacturing suppliers across multiple geographies.

• You have quality engineering experience in high-volume, high-complexity consumer electronics, aerospace, automotive, robotics, or similar industries, with deep knowledge of PCB fabrication, SMT processes, electronic assembly, test systems, and component quality management.

• You are familiar with PCB and PCBA manufacturing processes, including PCB fabrication technologies, soldering processes, AOI, SPI, ICT, flying probe, functional test, X-ray inspection, and reliability testing methodologies.

• You are experienced interpreting electrical schematics, assembly drawings, Gerber files, fabrication notes, and engineering documentation, and can effectively communicate technical requirements with suppliers.

• You are proficient with quality tools such as PFMEA, DFMEA, Control Plans, PPAP, 8D, Root Cause Analysis (5-Why, Fishbone), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Process Capability Analysis, and Design of Experiments (DOE), with demonstrated measurable results.

• You have experience with component qualification, supplier process validation, reliability testing, and failure analysis techniques for electronic assemblies.

• Familiarity with IPC standards (IPC-A-610, IPC-6012, IPC-J-STD-001, IPC-7711/7721) and electronics industry quality requirements is highly desirable.

• Expected travel requirements: 20–30%.

• Obtaining FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment is strongly encouraged for all Skydio employees and required for certain positions.

Compensation

At Skydio, our compensation packages for regular, full-time employees include competitive base salaries, equity in the form of stock options, and comprehensive benefits packages. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. Relocation assistance may also be provided for eligible roles. The annual base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $240,000*. Fundamentally, we believe that equity is the key to long-term financial growth, and we ensure all regular, full-time employees have the opportunity to significantly benefit from the company's success. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to enroll in the Company’s group health insurance plans. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to receive the following benefits: Paid vacation time, sick leave, holiday pay and 401K savings plan. This position and all associated benefits are subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as the Company’s policies and eligibility criteria.

*Compensation for certain positions may vary based on the position’s location.

#LI-BJ1

At Skydio we believe that diversity drives innovation. We have created a multidisciplinary environment that embraces the power of diverse perspectives to create elegant solutions for complex problems. We are committed to growing our network of people, programs, and resources to nurture an inclusive culture.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws.

For positions located in the United States of America, Skydio, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/