Supply Chain Quality Engineer

Supply Chain Quality Engineer
Engineering — Fremont, California

The Supply Chain Quality Engineer is responsible for leading Pivotal Systems' supplier quality program — incoming inspection, lot inspection, supplier qualification processes, audits and scorecards that ensure purchased materials and components meet Pivotal's quality standards before entering production. This is a high-impact role, driving continuous improvement of processes, inspection infrastructure, and supplier accountability across Pivotal's global sites (Fremont, Malaysia, Korea). Overseas travel required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead incoming inspection processes, including first article inspection (FAIR) and lot-based inspection sampling plans, for Fremont and across Malaysia and Korea.


• Maintain and continuously improve physical incoming inspection areas and MRB (Material Review Board) quarantine/lockup processes at each site.


• Drive supplier quality program initiatives — supplier qualification criteria, supplier audits, and documentation of customer Plan of Record (POR) requirements as they apply to suppliers.


• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards/performance tracking to identify and address recurring quality issues at the source.


• Partner with the Quality Manager and site quality engineers to align supplier quality requirements with each site's incoming material needs.


• Conduct supplier audits and qualification visits, including travel to supplier sites and Pivotal's Malaysia and Korea facilities as needed.


• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) dispositioning of nonconforming incoming material.


• Support root cause investigation and corrective action (8D/CAPA) for supplier-originated quality issues.


• Collaborate with purchasing/supply chain teams to ensure quality requirements are reflected in supplier agreements and purchase orders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, etc.).


• 3-5+ years of experience in supplier quality, incoming inspection, or related quality engineering roles, preferably in manufacturing or industrial environments.


• Experience conducting supplier audits and qualifications.


• Working knowledge of quality tools and methodologies (8D, FMEA, SPC, Root Cause Analysis).


• Experience with inspection sampling plans (e.g., ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 or similar) and first article inspection processes.


• Comfort with hands-on inspection work — measurement tools and gauges (calipers, micrometers, etc.), reading engineering drawings/specifications.


• Strong communication skills, with ability to hold suppliers accountable while maintaining productive working relationships.


• Willingness and ability to travel, including internationally (Malaysia, Korea) and to supplier sites, as a regular part of the role.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in semiconductor, aerospace, or other highly regulated precision manufacturing industries.


• Experience developing and improving supplier quality programs.


• Familiarity with copy-exact methodology or similar process replication frameworks used by semiconductor capital equipment customers.


• ISO 9001 or other quality system knowledge.