Qualtiy Assurance Engineer

HyperLight • Cambridge, MA

34d • Onsite

About The Position

HyperLight is a leader in the commercialization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) integrated photonics, a technology enabling high-performance optical components for AI/datacom infrastructure, hyperscale computing, quantum computing, and sensing. Founded in 2018 and backed by venture capital, HyperLight has developed the TFLN Chiplet™ platform for scalability and manufacturability. The company partners with customers and suppliers from concept to mass production. HyperLight is seeking a Quality Engineer in Cambridge, MA, to ensure that incoming materials, in-process work, and finished products meet quality standards. This role involves IQC and OQC inspections, document control, change control evaluation, and internal auditing to support an ISO 9001 registered quality management system, ensuring product reliability and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in a Quality Engineering or Quality Assurance role, preferably in a photonics, fabless semiconductor or electronics environment.
• Hands-on experience conducting IQC and OQC inspections in a cleanroom or ESD-controlled environment.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management system requirements.
• Experience supporting or participating in internal, supplier, or third-party certification audits.
• Familiarity with document control principles and change control processes (ECO / ECR / DCO workflows).
• Exposure to FMEA, risk assessment methodologies, and corrective action processes.
• Proficiency with measurement and inspection equipment (calipers, microscopes, fiber-alignment tools, or equivalent precision instruments).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and test procedures.
• Experience working within a SharePoint DMS, ERP, or PLM system for document and change management.
• Competence in writing clear, accurate technical documents including NCRs, audit reports, and inspection records.
• Strong attention to detail with a methodical approach to inspection and documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent responsibilities spanning hands-on floor work and administrative tasks.
• Effective communicator across cross-functional teams including engineering, operations, and regulatory.
• Self-directed and organized, with the ability to manage time-sensitive document approval queues.
• Comfortable working in a mixed environment including production floor, cleanroom, and office settings.
• Authorization to work in the US is required.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with optical or photonic device inspection is a plus.
• Experience with ISO 27001.
• Familiarity with lot traceability, certificate of conformance (CoC) review, and OQC release processes.
• Prior involvement in supplier qualification or vendor audit programs.
• Experience working with semiconductor wafer fabrication, assembly, and test processes.
• Experience managing quality interactions with semiconductor foundries and OSAT partners.
• Experience with quality tools such as FMEA/8D/SPC/Control Plan/Six Sigma.
• Proficient in English and advantage to have Mandarin, as required for working with our global team frequently.

Responsibilities

• Receive and sample-inspect incoming materials, components, and sub-assemblies against defined specifications (IQC).
• Operate measurement equipment including calipers, microscopes, and fiber-alignment tools at the inspection workstation.
• Perform final acceptance inspection on finished products prior to shipment (OQC).
• Verify test reports, certificates of conformance, and labeling completeness.
• Raise non-conformance reports (NCRs) and coordinate quarantine or return-to-vendor (RTV) actions.
• Log inspection data and maintain lot-traceability records.
• Maintain and version-control SOPs, work instructions, inspection criteria, and engineering drawings on SharePoint and Notion.
• Ensure obsolete documents are withdrawn from production and correctly archived.
• Coordinate periodic document review cycles and manage document owner reminders.
• Review new or revised SOPs, test procedures, and inspection plans for technical accuracy and compliance.
• Provide QE sign-off within the document approval workflow (ECO / DCO routing).
• Ensure approved documents are available at both sites prior to implementation.
• Plan and execute internal process audits against ISO 9001 and applicable standards.
• Write audit reports documenting findings, observations, and opportunities for improvement (OFIs).
• Track corrective action closure from prior audit findings.
• Conduct or support supplier quality audits and assess vendor quality systems.
• Serve as host and liaison during customer or third-party certification audits.
• Evaluate engineering change requests (ECRs/ECOs) for quality impact on product, process, and documentation.
• Facilitate FMEA updates and risk assessments triggered by engineering changes.
• Determine re-validation or re-qualification requirements resulting from changes.
• Coordinate document updates, training, and material disposition in support of approved changes.
• Monitor change implementation on the production floor and verify effectiveness prior to closure.
• Support and maintain the company Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO standards.
• Assist with planning and execution of supplier audits and supplier quality assessments.
• Drive corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes including root cause analysis, corrective actions, and effectiveness verification.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including design, product/test engineering, reliability, and operations to resolve quality issues.
• Assist/Work with external semiconductor manufacturing partners including wafer foundries and OSAT assembly/test suppliers to ensure product quality and process control.
• Support supplier quality management activities including supplier qualification, supplier corrective actions, and supplier performance monitoring.
• Support failure analysis investigations including coordination with internal teams and external manufacturing partners.
• Support 8D/RMA and field return investigations to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Participate in New Product Introduction (NPI) activities including PLC process, quality planning, risk assessments, and manufacturing readiness.
• Develop and maintain quality procedures, work instructions, and documentation as required by the QMS.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives across engineering, manufacturing partners, and supply chain.

Benefits

• Competitive market-based compensation (Salary range $65,000 - $145,000)
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, vision, and dental plans for individuals and families
• 401(k) retirement plans with employee matching
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life and disability insurance
• Commuter benefits and subsidies
• Professional growth and mentorship opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level