Quality Engineer

TTM•San Diego, CA

18d

About The Position

The Quality Engineer is a hands-on, shop-floor-focused role responsible for driving product quality, process stability, and continuous improvement throughout the PWB manufacturing operation. The position focuses primarily on internal manufacturing processes, identifying and eliminating process variation, preventing defects, improving first-pass yield, and ensuring consistent execution of manufacturing standards. The engineer works closely with production supervisors, operators, and process engineers, applying data-driven problem-solving, root cause analysis, statistical process control, and corrective action methods to resolve recurring quality issues and improve manufacturing performance. The role includes monitoring manufacturing processes and quality trends; leading investigations and corrective actions; developing process controls, SPC methods, and quality engineering tools; providing technical support for process-specific defects; and leading continuous improvement initiatives. It also conducts internal audits, maintains quality records, and supports implementation of AS9100, ISO 14001, IPC-1791, and IPC-6018 requirements. The position requires compliance with TTM export control policies and applicable laws, including ITAR, EAR, and OFAC requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related subject matter, or 5–7 years of relevant experience in lieu of education.
Working knowledge of IPC, MIL-31032, ISO 9001/AS9100 standards, and/or similar quality systems.
Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, including statistical data analysis and interpretation.
Ability to develop and implement improvement plans and drive project teams to successful completion.
Strong background in manufacturing performance metrics.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work as part of a team and effectively with all levels of the organization.
Ability to comply with TTM export control policies and applicable laws, including ITAR, EAR, and OFAC requirements.

Responsibilities

Monitor and evaluate manufacturing processes throughout PWB production to identify variation, recurring defects, and improvement opportunities.
Analyze in-process inspection results, yields, scrap, rework, and defect trends to identify emerging issues and prioritize improvements.
Partner with production and process engineering teams to establish, maintain, and improve process controls, inspection criteria, control plans, and standardized work practices.
Verify adherence to manufacturing procedures, process specifications, workmanship standards, and quality requirements.
Support development and implementation of process monitoring methods for early defect detection and prevention.
Lead structured investigations into internal manufacturing defects, process excursions, nonconformances, and recurring quality issues.
Apply appropriate root cause analysis tools, including 8D, 5 Why, fishbone diagrams, and fault tree analysis.
Drive preventive and corrective actions that address underlying process causes, and verify their effectiveness through data, audits, and performance monitoring.
Establish containment measures with manufacturing teams, track corrective actions to completion, and escalate unresolved or recurring issues as needed.
Develop, implement, and maintain SPC methods, process capability studies, and other analytical tools appropriate to PWB manufacturing.
Assess quality impacts of changes to materials, equipment, tooling, process parameters, and manufacturing methods.
Collaborate with engineering and production teams on error-proofing, defect prevention, and process verification strategies.
Ensure inspection and measurement methods provide reliable, repeatable, and actionable process-control information.
Provide quality engineering support in dispositioning process-specific defects, including dimensional variation, registration issues, plating defects, shorts and opens, etch anomalies, delamination, and solder mask defects.
Use process knowledge and manufacturing data to identify defect mechanisms, establish corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.
Support development and improvement of inspection methods, defect classification systems, and process-specific quality standards.
Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, defects, and process variability.
Use 9CI Elements, including Customer Satisfaction, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, 6S/Visual Management, Total Productive Maintenance, Jidoka/Andon, Zero Defect program, 8D Problem Solving, Quality Alerts, and Design of Experiments.
Present findings and recommendations to leadership using clear, data-supported analysis.
Promote preventive quality practices and strengthen process ownership.
Identify opportunities to simplify controls, eliminate waste, improve inspection efficiency, and make quality performance more visible at the point of manufacture.
Conduct internal audits to verify adherence to manufacturing procedures and critical process controls.
Identify gaps between documented procedures and shop-floor practices and coordinate corrective actions.
Maintain accurate records of internal nonconformances, investigations, process studies, and improvement activities.
Support effective implementation of AS9100, ISO 14001, IPC-1791, and IPC-6018 requirements.
Comply with TTM export control policies and applicable laws, including identifying ITAR product on the manufacturing floor, observing access restrictions, recognizing foreign-person visitors, following visitor authorization procedures, understanding export requirements for shipments leaving the United States, and managing vendor approvals for ITAR manufacturing and services.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Flexible spending accounts
Health savings accounts
Accident benefits
Life insurance
Disability benefits
Paid vacation
Paid holidays
An annual or quarterly company bonus may apply based on position assignment.
Alternative-shift positions may be eligible for a shift premium based on assigned shift and location.