Coherent

Staff Engineer, Quality

Coherent$90K — $120K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant engineering field
  • Minimum 5 years of Quality Engineering experience in manufacturing
  • Proficiency in SPC, FMEA, and Six Sigma methodologies
  • Experience leading root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions
  • Ability to interact effectively with suppliers and manage quality issues

Responsibilities

  • Partner with cross-functional teams to enhance product quality and manufacturing effectiveness
  • Investigate quality issues on the manufacturing floor and identify improvement opportunities
  • Implement SPC methods and process monitoring strategies for quality assurance
  • Lead investigations into root causes of quality problems and establish sustainable actions
  • Conduct process capability studies and use statistical tools to enhance performance
  • Support qualification of Thermadite materials through inspection and compliance activities
  • Communicate quality data trends and improvement opportunities to various stakeholders

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams
  • Exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies
  • Opportunities for professional development and certifications
  • Engagement in meaningful quality assurance initiatives
  • Contributions to process improvement and operational excellence
Full Job Description
Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities
  • Partner with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, and R&D teams to improve product quality, process capability, and manufacturing performance
  • Spend significant time on the manufacturing floor investigating quality issues, observing processes, and identifying opportunities for improvement
  • Develop and implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods and process monitoring strategies
  • Lead root cause investigations and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions
  • Conduct process capability studies and utilize statistical tools to improve process performance
  • Develop and maintain Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEA), Control Plans, and risk mitigation strategies
  • Develop statistically sound sampling plans for incoming materials, in-process inspections, and finished products
  • Support qualification, inspection, and acceptance activities for Thermadite raw materials and powders
  • Evaluate powder characteristics including TPD, particle geometry, morphology, and other critical material attributes
  • Develop and improve inspection methods, measurement systems, and metrology techniques
  • Support incoming material qualification and supplier approval activities
  • Work directly with suppliers to improve material quality, resolve quality issues, and implement corrective actions
  • Conduct supplier audits and supplier quality assessments as required
  • Support customer quality activities including corrective actions, complaint investigations, and customer communications
  • Analyze quality data and communicate trends, risks, and improvement opportunities to leadership and cross-functional teams
  • Participate in new product introduction, process transfer, and manufacturing scale-up activities
  • Support and maintain the Quality Management System in accordance with applicable standards and procedures


What Success Looks Like

Within the first 12 months, you will:
  • Establish robust quality controls for Thermadite materials and manufacturing processes
  • Develop effective sampling plans and inspection strategies to support production scale-up
  • Improve process capability and reduce quality-related disruptions
  • Build productive relationships with manufacturing teams, engineering teams, suppliers, and customers
  • Become a trusted technical resource for quality and process-related decisions
  • Implement meaningful SPC and process monitoring systems that improve visibility and decision-making
  • Lead successful root cause investigations resulting in measurable and sustainable improvements
  • Develop a deep understanding of Thermadite materials, manufacturing processes, and quality drivers

Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Quality Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field
  • Minimum 5 years of Quality Engineering experience within a manufacturing environment
  • Experience applying SPC, Process Capability Analysis, FMEA, and Six Sigma methodologies
  • Experience leading root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions
  • Experience working with manufacturing teams in a production environment
  • Experience interacting with suppliers and managing supplier quality issues

Preferred
  • Experience with powder materials, advanced ceramics, thermal processing, or advanced manufacturing technologies
  • Experience with incoming material qualification and supplier development
  • Experience with Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)
  • Experience developing sampling plans and inspection strategies
  • Experience supporting process transfers and manufacturing scale-up activities
  • CQE certification
  • Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification

Skills & Other Requirements
  • Strong understanding of quality engineering principles and methodologies
  • Working knowledge of SPC, DOE, process capability analysis, sampling plans, and statistical methods
  • Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
  • Ability to effectively interpret and analyze technical data
  • Strong understanding of process control and risk management concepts
  • Ability to challenge assumptions and influence decisions through data and technical reasoning
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated ability to achieve results independently and within cross-functional teams
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Experience with quality management systems and ISO-based manufacturing environments
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality data analysis tools
  • Ability to build effective relationships with operators, supervisors, engineers, suppliers, and customers

Working Conditions

This is an in-person position at our Newark, DE site

Office and manufacturing floor environment with regular interaction with production processes, inspection equipment, manufacturing personnel, suppliers, and customers.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to occasionally lift/push/pull up to 25 lbs.
  • Able to sit, stand, bend, squat, and walk throughout the facility
  • Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment and laboratory instrumentation

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.

Quality & Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

About Coherent

Coherent, Inc. is a global leader in providing laser-based solutions to a broad range of commercial and scientific research customers. The company designs, manufactures, and markets lasers, laser-based systems, precision optics, and related accessories for a diverse group of customers. Coherent's markets include scientific research, OEM components and instrumentation, microelectronics, materials processing, and life sciences. The company's products are used in a wide range of applications. Coherent was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
Learn more about Coherent
Size
5,085 employees
Market Cap
$4.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$419.7 million
Founded
1966
5 Year Trend
+27.8%
Revenue
$1.2 billion
NASDAQ

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