Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer

About Veeco

You probably don’t realize it, but what we do at Veeco touches the lives of every person, every day. It’s a bold statement, but it’s true. From the smartphones in our pockets that access the world’s collective knowledge, to the cloud-based services where all that information lives, to high-speed wireless communication and computing power needed to drive artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, gaming and so much more, our technology is all around us.

We design, develop, manufacture, and service highly complex, cutting-edge machines used by our customers to create the essential devices that drive the digital age, connect the world, and improve the human experience. Along with the world’s leading technology companies, many of which are household names, we help solve their most difficult material science challenges, enabling technologies for a more connected, sustainable, and convenient world.

We’re looking for material difference-makers to join our growing team. Interested? Learn more at www.veeco.com/careers .

Overview

Veeco is seeking a collaborative and results-driven Supplier Quality Engineer based at our San Jose, CA, manufacturing facility to lead supplier quality improvement and risk mitigation initiatives across our global supply base. In addition to supporting San Jose–based operations, this role will provide critical supplier quality support for our Saint Paul, MN site.

Success in this position requires strong communication skills, a data-driven mindset, and a highly collaborative approach to working with suppliers and internal partners. This person will play a key role in enabling suppliers to consistently meet Veeco’s demanding quality, performance, and reliability requirements. If you are a self-motivated quality or manufacturing engineer with experience in high-tech environments—someone who thrives on addressing complex, high-impact challenges with urgency, applies preventive risk mitigation rigor, and leads timely, effective root-cause corrective actions—this role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced organization that values data-based decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier quality engineering initiatives to drive cost reduction, risk mitigation, and part quality improvement, in close partnership with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations.
• Serve as a key member of cross-functional supplier management teams, supporting supplier and contract manufacturer selection, development, and performance improvement to ensure on-time delivery and quality conformance.
• Develop and execute supplier quality improvement plans, including supplier audits, closed-loop corrective actions, and performance metrics to support Veeco’s supplier management strategy.
• Partner with suppliers to execute Product Quality Plans (PQP) for critical parts and validate effectiveness through review and audit of process flows, pFMEAs, control plans, MSA, SPC, and related quality tools.
• Plan and conduct risk-based supplier audits to baseline current performance, identify improvement opportunities, and drive sustainable corrective actions with key suppliers.
• Collaborate with Design and Manufacturing Engineering to review specifications and drawings, clarify critical-to-quality (CTQ) requirements, reduce supplier deviations, and improve inspection effectiveness.
• Lead risk mitigation activities during pre-production and new product introduction (NPI) phases to ensure robust supplier readiness and successful product launches.
• Manage quality risk associated with material, process, and supplier changes, including change notification, qualification, and customer-facing documentation and approvals as required.
• Ensure suppliers are compliant with copy-exact, change control, and configuration management requirements, maintaining process integrity and traceability.
• Define and implement effective supplier outgoing quality controls and incoming inspection strategies aligned with a zero-defect mindset and manufacturing continuity goals.
• Apply statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis tools to identify process variation, assess supplier capability, and drive measurable improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement in efficiency, visibility, and decision-making through the use and enhancement of automated quality data management and information systems.
• Represent supplier quality through effective written and verbal reporting of key performance indicators and initiatives at supplier business reviews and internal management reviews.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline, with 8+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering is required. Experience in high-technology or precision manufacturing environments is also required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated success applying structured problem-solving and root-cause corrective action methodologies