Sr. NPI Quality Engineer

Cohu • San Diego, CA

13h

About The Position

This role is a high-impact position at the center of next-generation handler development, where quality decisions shape products shipped to the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers. The Sr. NPI Quality Engineer will lead quality planning for NPI programs, facilitate DFMEA sessions, author verification plans, define inspection criteria, and track key quality metrics. The role also involves qualifying new suppliers, monitoring supplier performance, and driving supplier process improvements. Additionally, the engineer will own customer delivery quality metrics, investigate field escapes, manage warranty analysis, and represent the company in customer quality audits. The position also includes maintaining and improving the product-line Process Control Plan, supporting ISO 9001 audits, applying statistical tools for risk elimination, driving CAPA processes, and mentoring junior engineers.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• performance bonus
• equity participation
• comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• Professional development support includes training, certification sponsorship, and career growth opportunities

What This Job Offers

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