Supply Chain Quality Engineer

Pivotal Systems; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Pivotal Systems is seeking a Supply Chain Quality Engineer to lead our supplier quality program across global sites including Fremont, Malaysia, and Korea. You will own incoming and lot inspection processes, drive audits, and develop supplier scorecards to prevent nonconformances.

The role requires hands-on measurement skills, strong quality tools knowledge (8D, FMEA, SPC), and willingness to travel internationally. Mandarin language ability is required for collaboration with supplier teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field required.
• 3-5+ years in supplier quality, incoming inspection, or related quality roles.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and qualifications.
• Knowledge of quality tools and methodologies (8D, FMEA, SPC, RCA).

Responsibilities

• Lead incoming inspection processes including FAIR and sampling for Fremont and regional suppliers.
• Maintain and improve MRB quarantine/lockup at each site.
• Drive supplier quality programs, audits, and POR documentation.
• Develop supplier scorecards and track performance to address recurring issues.
• Collaborate with Quality Manager to align supplier quality with site needs.
• Travel to supplier sites including Malaysia and Korea as needed.
• Support MRB dispositioning and 8D/CAPA investigations.
• Coordinate with purchasing to reflect quality requirements in supplier agreements.

Skills

Auditing

Quality systems

Measurement tools

Root cause analysis

8D/Corrective action

Mandarin

Travel willingness

Documentation & reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field

Tools

First Article Inspection (FAI)

8D/Problem solving

FMEA & SPC

Calipers/micrometers

Job description

The Supply Chain Quality Engineer is responsible for leading Pivotal Systems' supplier quality program — incoming inspection, lot inspection, supplier qualification processes, audits and scorecards that ensure purchased materials and components meet Pivotal's quality standards before entering production. This is a high-impact role, driving continuous improvement of processes, inspection infrastructure, and supplier accountability across Pivotal's global sites (Fremont, Malaysia, Korea). Overseas travel required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead incoming inspection processes, including first article inspection (FAIR) and lot-based inspection sampling plans, for Fremont and across Malaysia and Korea.
• Maintain and continuously improve physical incoming inspection areas and MRB (Material Review Board) quarantine/lockup processes at each site.
• Drive supplier quality program initiatives — supplier qualification criteria, supplier audits, and documentation of customer Plan of Record (POR) requirements as they apply to suppliers.
• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards/performance tracking to identify and address recurring quality issues at the source.
• Partner with the Quality Manager and site quality engineers to align supplier quality requirements with each site's incoming material needs.
• Conduct supplier audits and qualification visits, including travel to supplier sites and Pivotal's Malaysia and Korea facilities as needed.
• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) dispositioning of nonconforming incoming material.
• Support root cause investigation and corrective action (8D/CAPA) for supplier-originated quality issues.
• Collaborate with purchasing/supply chain teams to ensure quality requirements are reflected in supplier agreements and purchase orders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, etc.).
• 3-5+ years of experience in supplier quality, incoming inspection, or related quality engineering roles, preferably in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and qualifications.
• Working knowledge of quality tools and methodologies (8D, FMEA, SPC, Root Cause Analysis).
• Experience with inspection sampling plans (e.g., ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 or similar) and first article inspection processes.
• Comfort with hands-on inspection work — measurement tools and gauges (calipers, micrometers, etc.), reading engineering drawings/specifications.
• Strong communication skills, with ability to hold suppliers accountable while maintaining productive working relationships.
• Willingness and ability to travel, including internationally (Malaysia, Korea) and to supplier sites, as a regular part of the role.
• Must be able to speak Mandarin

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in semiconductor, aerospace, or other highly regulated precision manufacturing industries.
• Experience developing and improving supplier quality programs.
• Familiarity with copy-exact methodology or similar process replication frameworks used by semiconductor capital equipment customers.
• ISO 9001 or other quality system knowledge.