Supplier Quality Engineer – Ceramics

Applicantz; Fremont (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking a candidate for a hybrid contract role focused on supplier engineering in Fremont, CA. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in a relevant field and over 3 years of experience in supplier and quality engineering. Key responsibilities include technical liaison with suppliers, leading development and qualification activities, and applying statistical tools for process optimization. This position offers a blend of remote and onsite work, with travel required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in supplier engineering, manufacturing, process engineering, quality engineering.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (15–25%).

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical liaison between product groups and ceramics suppliers.
• Lead supplier development and qualification activities.
• Drive supplier quality issue resolution using structured methods.
• Plan and execute supplier audits and drive continuous improvement.
• Apply statistical tools to optimize supplier processes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Master’s degree in Ceramics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Ceramics, Materials Science, or related field (preferred)

Tools

SPC

DOE

JMP

Minitab

Job description

This is a Hybrid onsite (3 days/week in office, regular shift), contract role in Fremont CA OR Livermore, CA OR Tualatin (Oregon)

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Ceramics, Materials Science, Chemical, Chemistry, and Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in supplier engineering, manufacturing, process engineering, quality engineering.
• Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across global and cross-functional teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 15–25%).

Job Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical liaison between our product groups, manufacturing, supply chain, and assigned ceramics suppliers from New Product Introduction (NPI) through High Volume Manufacturing (HVM).
• Lead supplier development, qualification, and readiness activities including process-of-record (POR), manufacturing process capability and change control compliance.
• Drive supplier quality issue resolution such as containment, root cause and corrective action (RCCA) using structured methods like 8D, PSDMP, FMEA, and 5-Why.
• Plan and execute supplier audits of manufacturing processes, quality management systems (QMS) and drive continuous improvement for yield and capability.
• Apply statistical and quality engineering tools such as SPC, DOE, MSA, and Lean/Six Sigma to monitor and optimize supplier processes.
• Communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to cross-functional and executive stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Ceramics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in ceramic materials and manufacturing processes such as forming, sintering, machining, grinding, polishing, surface treatment.
• Experience designing, executing, and interpreting material characterization techniques such as SEM/EDS, XRD
• Proficiency with statistical analysis tools such as JMP or Minitab; Japanese language capability is a plus.

Our Client is a Fortune 350 company that engages in the design, manufacturing, marketing, and service of semiconductor processing equipment.