Staff Supplier Quality Engineer, Manufacturing

Onto Innovation•Milpitas, CA

1d•$112,000 - $168,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Onto Innovation is a leader in process control, combining global scale with an expanded portfolio of leading-edge technologies. The Supplier Quality Engineer will be responsible for the quality oversight of Onto Innovation suppliers, contract manufacturers and extended factories. The successful candidate will drive effective problem-solving, continuous improvement strategies and proactive solutions in order to assure best-in-class supplier quality performance. The Manufacturing Supplier Quality Engineer will play a critical role in ensuring new products transition seamlessly from development/pilot line into full‑scale production within an ISO 9001 cleanroom environment. This hybrid role blends Manufacturing Engineering and Quality Engineering responsibilities, with a strong emphasis on APQP, PPAP, risk mitigation, and early supplier engagement. The ideal candidate will drive supplier readiness, process capability, and product quality throughout the entire NPD-to-NPI product lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Optics, Physics, or related).
7–10 years of experience in a technology or advanced manufacturing environment.
3–5 years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or NPI engineering.
Hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and structured problem-solving.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering or related field.
Experience in semiconductor, capital equipment, or high-precision manufacturing environments.
Background in metrology or complex electromechanical systems.
Lean/Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt), Quality Auditor certification.
Strong data analysis, project management, and communication skills.
Experience supporting remote suppliers and global manufacturing sites.

Responsibilities

Lead supplier quality and manufacturing readiness activities from concept through product launch.
Drive APQP deliverables including PFMEA, control plans, process flow diagrams, MSA, and capability studies to support Product Life Cycle (PLC) readiness.
Manage PPAP submissions for new components, assemblies, and critical processes.
Partner with R&D, Manufacturing Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure design manufacturability and robust process controls prior to release.
Identify and mitigate risks early using structured tools (DFMEA/PFMEA, risk registers, control plans, etc.).
Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes and equipment to ensure capability, repeatability, and scalability.
Support process development, qualification, and validation activities at suppliers and contract manufacturers.
Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for supplier issues using 8D/4D or similar methodologies.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance yield, reduce defects, and improve process robustness.
Support build readiness for engineering builds, pilot runs/lines, and ramp-up phases.
Develop and execute supplier audit plans focused on QMS maturity, process capability, and NPI readiness.
Ensure supplier compliance with quality agreements, specifications, and change control requirements.
Manage PCNs and ensure proper validation and risk assessment for any supplier-driven changes.
Monitor supplier performance using KPIs and scorecards; lead improvement plans where needed.
Facilitate technical reviews, supplier meetings, and QBRs to ensure alignment and accountability.
Work closely with engineering, operations, supply chain, and quality teams to ensure smooth product introduction.
Provide technical leadership and guidance to internal teams and suppliers on manufacturability, quality standards, and process controls.
Ensure complete documentation of processes, validation results, and quality records throughout the NPI cycle.