Senior Quality Engineer

Key Responsibilities - Lead Quality Engineering activities for complex laser, optical, photonic, or precision electro-mechanical products, including subsystem assembly, integration, test, and manufacturing support. - Provide technical leadership for NPI, qualification, validation, and manufacturing transfer activities to ensure production readiness and robust process control. - Lead development and deployment of PFMEA, control plans, inspection strategies, and risk-based quality controls for complex assemblies and manufacturing processes. - Drive implementation of process controls that mitigate risk, improve detection at the point of generation, and reduce variation in manufacturing and test operations. - Lead structured problem-solving for critical internal, supplier, and customer quality issues using methodologies such as 8D, DMAIC, 5-Why, Fishbone, Fault Tree Analysis, and CAPA. - Partner with Engineering and Operations to improve process capability, product quality, and manufacturing robustness using SPC, MSA/GR&R, DOE, and data analysis. - Evaluate and improve manufacturing monitoring, inspection, and measurement systems to ensure they are both technically effective and statistically sound. - Support and influence supplier quality resolution for components, materials, and subassemblies that affect product performance, manufacturability, or customer satisfaction. - Review and strengthen quality documentation, process controls, and quality system practices in compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and customer-specific requirements. - Lead or support customer complaints, RMAs, audits, and corrective actions with a high level of ownership, urgency, and technical credibility. - Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing escapes, improving yield, increasing process repeatability, and supporting long-term product reliability. - Serve as a technical mentor and escalation point for other quality engineers and cross-functional teams on complex manufacturing quality topics. Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related technical field. - 6+ years of progressive experience in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, Process Quality, or Product Quality in a complex manufacturing environment. - Strong experience in precision manufacturing, preferably involving lasers, photonics, optics, semiconductor equipment, or precision electro-mechanical systems. - Demonstrated experience leading complex quality investigations, cross-functional problem solving, and process improvement activities. - Experience supporting NPI, process qualification, validation, and/or product or manufacturing transfer. - Strong knowledge of core quality tools and methodologies such as PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA/GR&R, 8D, CAPA, DOE, and process audits. - Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015, technical drawings, GD&T, and structured quality system practices. Preferred Qualifications - Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or related technical discipline. - Experience in laser systems, optical assemblies, fiber optics, optoelectronics, electro-optical products, or advanced precision instrumentation. - Experience supporting Tier-1 semiconductor, aerospace, medical device, imaging/diagnostics, or other high-reliability technology customers. - Familiarity with cleanroom manufacturing, contamination control methods, metrology, interferometry, environmental qualification testing, or advanced inspection systems. - ASQ certification such as CQE or CQA. - Experience with product lifecycle management, transfer validation, and supplier quality development. - Reliability engineering experience is highly desirable. Skills and Competencies - Deep technical problem-solving capability with the ability to lead resolution of complex, ambiguous quality issues. - Strong command of quality methodologies including 8D, DMAIC, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, DOE, CAPA, and Root Cause Analysis. - Ability to influence across functions and drive alignment with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Operations teams. - Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, and senior leadership. - Data-driven mindset with proficiency in tools such as Excel, Minitab, JMP, or Power BI. - Ability to balance technical depth with practical execution in a fast-paced, high-mix, precision manufacturing environment.