Sr Supplier Quality Engineer (onsite)

Siemens Healthineers•Greendale, WI

2d•$143,290 - $197,021•Onsite

About The Position

Varian Medical Systems, a Siemens Healthineers company, is seeking a hands-on Supplier Quality Engineer to work onsite in Palo Alto, California. The role works directly with suppliers and cross-functional teams to improve component quality, resolve technical and manufacturing issues at supplier locations, and strengthen supplier processes. It supports quality across the product lifecycle, from new product introduction and incoming inspection through manufacturing, installation, and field service. Candidates may come from medical devices, automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, electronics, or other highly regulated or quality-critical manufacturing industries. The position manages quality performance for assigned suppliers, investigates supplier-related issues, leads or supports structured root-cause and corrective-action activities, and coordinates rapid containment and risk mitigation. It also supports supplier process improvement, quality-at-the-source practices, new product introduction, design transfer, supplier qualification, change review, audits, and analysis of field and operational quality data. The role requires balancing rapid response with disciplined evidence-based investigation and sustainable corrective action. Domestic and international supplier travel is approximately 30–40%, sometimes on short notice. The role is designed to be performed onsite in Palo Alto, California. The stated base pay range is $143,290–$197,021. Benefits listed, subject to eligibility, include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, life and short- and long-term disability insurance, paid parking/public transportation, paid time off, and paid sick and safe time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Materials Engineering, or another related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience.
8–10+ years of relevant experience in Supplier Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, Design Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Experience in medical devices, automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, electronics, or another highly regulated or quality-critical manufacturing environment requiring disciplined process controls, qualification, traceability, and timely issue resolution.
Hands-on experience investigating manufacturing, component, process, or supplier-quality issues and coordinating rapid containment.
Practical experience with PPAP, APQP, or comparable product and process qualification methodologies.
Working knowledge of PFMEA/FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA and Gauge R&R, process capability, Cpk/Ppk, First Article Inspection, process validation, root-cause analysis, and corrective and preventive action.
Experience in fast-moving manufacturing environments requiring immediate containment, cross-functional coordination, clear escalation, and timely corrective action.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, inspection requirements, and technical documentation.
Experience working directly with suppliers and cross-functional teams to resolve technical, manufacturing, and quality issues.
Strong organizational and communication skills, including the ability to manage multiple supplier investigations, corrective actions, and improvement activities.
Willingness to travel to supplier locations domestically and internationally approximately 30–40%, including occasional short-notice travel.
Ability to work onsite in Palo Alto, California.
Successful candidates must be able to work with controlled technology in accordance with U.S. export control law.

Nice To Haves

Direct technical supplier-quality or manufacturing engineering experience in automotive, medical devices, aerospace, semiconductor, electronics, or another industry with rigorous supplier qualification and process-control requirements.
Experience applying PPAP and APQP in production, including supplier readiness, process qualification, Control Plans, PFMEA, MSA, capability studies, and production-part approval.
Experience responding to line-down situations, supplier escapes, production interruptions, field issues, or urgent containment activities.
Ability to balance rapid containment with evidence-based root-cause analysis and sustainable corrective action.
Experience leading regulatory, technical, for-cause, or process supplier audits, or supplier assessments.
Experience supporting New Product Introduction, design transfer, supplier selection and qualification, production ramp-up, or product and process changes.
Knowledge of ISO 13485, ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, AS9100, or other relevant quality standards.
Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Design for Manufacturability, and continuous-improvement methodologies.
Experience analyzing quality and operational data using Excel, Power BI, Minitab, or another statistical or visualization tool.
Familiarity with electronic Quality Management Systems and ERP systems; SAP experience is preferred.
Experience with SCARs, non-conforming material processes, Material Review Boards, Qnotes, Supplier Change Notifications, or equivalent quality processes.
Relevant certification, such as Certified Quality Engineer, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, or ISO Lead Auditor certification.

Responsibilities

Manage quality performance for an assigned supplier group and serve as a key contact for supplier quality matters.
Monitor supplier performance using quality data, dashboards, scorecards, and KPIs; communicate risks, concerns, and improvement priorities.
Investigate supplier-related issues affecting incoming inspection, manufacturing, installation, and field service, and coordinate rapid containment and risk mitigation.
Lead or support root-cause investigations and Supplier Corrective Action Requests using structured methods such as 8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa diagrams, and statistical analysis.
Review supplier corrective actions to verify root causes, implementation of appropriate actions, and prevention of recurrence.
Support Qnote/NCR and Material Review Board activities involving supplier components, helping minimize production disruption, blocked inventory, scrap, rework, warranty costs, and field impact.
Work with suppliers to improve manufacturing processes and implement quality controls, including PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, process capability analysis, Cpk/Ppk, and process validation.
Support Quality at the Source (light PPAP), helping suppliers shift from inspection reliance toward prevention, process control, and data-driven validation.
Participate in New Product Introduction and design-transfer activities, reviewing drawings, specifications, tolerances, critical attributes, manufacturability requirements, and inspection strategies with Engineering and suppliers.
Support supplier readiness through First Article Inspection, PPAP, APQP, inspection planning, and other risk-based qualification activities.
Review Supplier Change Notifications for changes to materials, processes, equipment, tooling, sub-tier suppliers, quality systems, or manufacturing locations.
Coordinate with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, Service, and other stakeholders to assess supplier changes and ensure qualification and validation are completed before implementation.
Conduct or participate in supplier audits, process assessments, qualifications, and for-cause investigations; document findings and track corrective actions to closure.
Partner with Service and other functions to review field-performance and warranty data, identify supplier-related trends, and drive investigations and corrective actions.
Analyze non-conformance, scrap, rework, warranty, and operational data to identify opportunities to reduce defects and Cost of Poor Quality.
Participate in cross-functional forums to support timely decisions and resolution of supplier-related issues.