Sr. NPI Quality Engineer

Key Responsibilities

New Product Introduction & Design Quality

• Lead quality planning for NPI programs using APQP methodology, ensuring quality deliverables are met at each phase gate.
• Facilitate DFMEA sessions with cross-functional engineering teams; drive risk reduction actions and verify closure.
• Author and maintain Design Verification Plans and Process Control Plans for new handler platforms.
• Define incoming inspection criteria and first article inspection (FAI) requirements for new components and assemblies.
• Track and report First Design Right (FDR) metrics; identify systemic design escape patterns and drive corrective action.
• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR, PRR) as the quality voice, raising and tracking quality-related action items.

Supplier Quality

• Qualify new suppliers and components through PPAP, capability studies, and on-site audits.
• Monitor supplier quality performance (DPPM, OTD, audit score) and lead supplier corrective action (SCAR) processes.
• Collaborate with supply chain to develop and enforce supplier quality agreements and control plan requirements.
• Drive supplier process improvements to meet cost-of-quality and delivery targets in alignment with the ISG/THG supplier quality roadmap.
• Conduct periodic supplier audits at domestic and international suppliers; document findings and track closure.

Customer Quality & Field Performance

• Own customer Delivery Quality (DQ) metrics for the handler product line; investigate field escapes and lead root cause / corrective action to closure.
• Interface directly with customer quality teams and field service engineers to resolve quality issues, prepare 8D reports, and present corrective actions.
• Manage warranty analysis program: track failure modes and translate warranty data into design or process improvements.
• Monitor DPPM and DQ trends; prepare regular quality performance summaries for internal and customer-facing reviews.
• Represent Cohu quality in customer quality audits and business reviews.

Quality Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and improve the product-line Process Control Plan, ensuring metrics are defined, owners are assigned, and targets are reviewed quarterly.
• Lead or support ISO 9001 internal audits; ensure NPI and design processes are effectively documented and followed.
• Apply statistical tools (SPC, Cpk, Pareto, DOE) to identify and eliminate quality risk.
• Drive cross-functional corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes and verify effectiveness of implemented solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote quality culture within the Rancho Bernardo engineering team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of quality engineering experience in a hardware product development or manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning), DFMEA, control plans, and process capability analysis.
• Proven track record managing supplier quality, including conducting supplier audits and driving SCAR resolution.
• Experience with customer-facing quality processes: 8D problem-solving, DQ/warranty analysis, customer corrective action reports.
• Strong proficiency with quality tools: FMEA, SPC, Fishbone/Ishikawa, 5-Why, measurement system analysis (MSA/Gage R&R).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and assembly specifications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting findings to customers and senior leadership.
• Self-directed, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced NPI environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in semiconductor capital equipment, precision electromechanical assemblies, or high-mix low-volume manufacturing.
• Familiarity with semiconductor test handler operation, including pick-and-place, thermal, and vision systems.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Black/Green Belt certification.
• Experience working within ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF16949 or VDA quality management systems.
• Proficiency with Oracle ERP systems for quality records, RMA management, and supplier performance tracking.
• Experience with structured product development processes (Stage-Gate, PDP) in a design center environment.
• Background working with global manufacturing partners in Southeast Asia or Europe.

What We Offer

• A high-impact role at the center of next-generation handler development, where quality decisions shape products shipped to the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers.
• Cross-functional collaboration with global engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and customer quality teams.
• Competitive salary, performance bonus, equity participation, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
• Professional development support includes training, certification sponsorship, and career growth opportunities within a growing global company.