Senior Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer

Veeco•Franklin Township, NJ

17h•$115,000 - $145,000

About The Position

At Veeco, our success depends on a world-class supplier network that consistently delivers high-quality, reliable, and innovative components supporting some of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing technologies in the world. We are seeking a Senior Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer IV to serve as a strategic technical leader responsible for driving supplier excellence, mitigating supply chain risk, and ensuring quality and manufacturing readiness across a global supplier base. In this highly visible role, you will partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, and key suppliers to influence product quality throughout the product lifecycle, from supplier selection and new product introduction through full-rate production. You will lead complex supplier development initiatives, drive continuous improvement efforts, establish robust quality systems, and resolve critical supplier performance challenges that directly impact business success. The ideal candidate combines deep manufacturing and quality expertise with strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills and thrives in a fast-paced semiconductor capital equipment environment where data-driven decisions, operational excellence, and supplier performance are critical to success.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in Supplier Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Quality, Supplier Development, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline supporting complex manufacturing environments.
Expertise in supplier quality management, supplier development, supplier auditing, and global supplier performance improvement.
Strong knowledge of APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, Process Capability (Cp/Cpk), process validation, and risk-based quality methodologies.
Experience supporting precision machining, fabrication, electro-mechanical assembly, contract manufacturing, and other complex manufacturing processes.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, technical specifications, manufacturing standards, and inspection requirements.
Demonstrated success leading complex root cause investigations and implementing sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), supplier qualification, production transfers, manufacturing ramp-up, and change control activities.
Strong analytical and statistical problem-solving skills with the ability to leverage data to drive quality and operational improvements.
Experience utilizing ERP, PLM, QMS, and supplier management systems within a manufacturing environment.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence stakeholders without direct authority, and communicate effectively with technical, operational, supplier, and executive leadership teams.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, or a related technical field.
Semiconductor capital equipment industry experience strongly preferred.
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), ASQ/RAB Lead Auditor, and/or Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute supplier quality strategies that improve supplier performance, reduce risk, and support business growth.
Lead supplier qualification, development, and performance management activities for critical suppliers and contract manufacturers.
Establish supplier quality metrics, scorecards, and improvement plans that drive measurable quality, delivery, and cost improvements.
Conduct supplier audits and assessments to evaluate quality systems, manufacturing processes, and operational controls.
Drive supplier corrective and preventive actions while managing quality, delivery, capacity, and business continuity risks.
Ensure supplier compliance with quality management systems, change control requirements, and customer expectations.
Partner with suppliers to develop and validate Product Quality Plans, PFMEAs, Control Plans, MSA studies, and SPC methodologies.
Define and optimize incoming, source, and outgoing inspection strategies using risk-based quality principles.
Utilize statistical analysis and process capability data to reduce variation, improve yield, and prevent defects.
Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to define quality requirements and improve supplier performance.
Lead complex root cause investigations and corrective actions utilizing 8D, DMAIC, A3, 5-Why, and other structured problem-solving methodologies.
Serve as a supplier quality subject matter expert, providing technical leadership and mentorship across the organization.
Lead supplier quality activities supporting NPI, supplier industrialization, production transfers, and manufacturing ramp-up initiatives.
Identify and mitigate supplier-related risks during product development, qualification, and pre-production phases.
Manage supplier process, material, and manufacturing changes while ensuring compliance with Copy Exact, configuration management, and change control requirements.
Analyze supplier quality data, trends, and KPIs to identify risks and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Develop quality dashboards, reporting tools, and metrics that support data-driven decision making.
Present supplier performance, risk assessments, and improvement initiatives to cross-functional and leadership teams.