Quality Program Manager Jobs in California
Quality Program Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, medical devices, semiconductors, and enterprise technology, with openings from associate-level coordinators through senior program directors. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers such as Northrop Grumman, Abbott, and Intel maintain significant California operations. Demand is strongest for candidates with experience in ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality management systems, CAPA process ownership, and cross-functional program execution. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. The people here at Apple don’t just create products - they create the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it.
In this highly visible role, you will have process (TPM) and quality engineering (MQE) responsibility for next generation Apple products. This will require you to lead selection, implementation & optimization of manufacturing processes and quality planning and deployment.
In the TPM responsibility, you will utilize your Engineering experience and work cross functionally with Product Design Engineering and Industrial Design to assess product features for manufacturability, and recommend capable processes and equipment.
In the MQE responsibility, you work in tandem with Apple's renowned designers to develop measurement & metrology technologies, quality control plans, information systems, and manufacturing methods that achieve industry-leading specifications at massive production scale. We handle a network of supplier factories worldwide, with responsibility for our partners to deliver to bold schedules. Our focus is on elegant execution of extraordinary industrial designs, resulting in products that thrill our customers.
Description
Process Development:
Planning, proposing, and leading experiments to produce timely and accurate analyses used to drive design, development, and supply chain decisions.
Assessing the suitability of a fabrication technology for a given part design. Planning validation exercises to demonstrate initial feasibility as well as manufacturing capability. Analyzing results of validation exercises and provide technical recommendations.
Reviewing progress of development activities at supplier locations and serve as point of escalation for critical process related issues.
New Product Introduction:
Help to drive process development and capability assessment activities, reviewing part design documentation to ensure alignment with process capability.
Assigns specific tasks and work with Apple suppliers to support process development and/or data gathering activities. Set clear goals for results and provide timely reviews of performance throughout program.
Establish validation procedures to figure out acceptance of tooling into development builds as well as mass production.
Supplier Execution:
Review supplier tool design, process flow, equipment selection, DFM, and DOE proposals. Identify shortfalls and corrective actions to ensure design compliance.
Work with supplier engineering teams to map out process development exercises, secure resources, and commit to schedules in line with program goals
Assess supplier readiness to support build events and production ramp. Identify potential execution issues and provide recommendations to mitigate risk.
You will utilize your Quality Engineering background in the following areas:
Quality Planning
Apply solid understanding of quality control and manufacturing concepts to develop specific Product Quality Plan (PQP) appropriate to program and commodity.
Coordinate all Quality Engineering functions for a program, serving as project manager to lead efforts at supplier locations.
Actively participate in the program planning and monitoring process assuming responsibility for key deliverables at all milestones.
Provide technical direction and guidance to other Quality Engineers supporting the implementation of the PQP.
Assess measurability and creatively address concerns directly with stakeholders. Identify and direct studies to implement improvements in measuring method where appropriate.
Establish audit procedures appropriate to program and supplier to ensure adherence to Apple quality standards. Implement FAI and Cp/Cpk reviews of mechanical parts.
Supplier Quality Management
Assists supplier selection process for new products and second sourcing activities supporting qualification/disqualification decisions.
Review PQP with supplier and other Apple functional groups to optimize supplier quality programs. Evaluates supplier readiness and adherence to PQP at all development and qualification stages.
Monitor each supplier's performance through measurement of production line statistics, company inspections, and audits. Prepare summary of performance and communicate to appropriate management to ensure effective corrective action plans can be promptly executed.
At Apple, a Supplier Quality Engineer defines product cosmetic specifications and manufacturing quality control methods. Reviews processing techniques and methods applied in the manufacture, fabrication, and evaluation of products. Involvement may begin at any step from product concept to full-scale manufacturing. Coordinates design requirement review with appropriate engineering/scientific personnel to ensure capability of manufacturing processes. Compiles and evaluates data to determine appropriate limits and variables for process, material, and part specifications. May conceive and plan projects involving definition and selection of new concepts, product inspection technology, and approaches in the processing or development of new or improved processes. Recommends and implements equipment and process modifications to improve production efficiencies, manufacturing techniques and production yields for existing products. Develops and conducts statistical analysis such as Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) targeting cause of failure for yield loss and improving quality.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with soft materials (non-wovens, wovens, knits, leather) and inputs to those materials (yarns, raw materials) is strongly preferred. Experience with mechanical fabricated parts, or adhesives, glues, jigs, fixtures, tooling, injection molding, plastics experience may be acceptable.
International experience, particularly in Asia is a plus
Must have proven hands-on mechanical ability. Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills. Domestic and International travel required. Experience with highly cosmetic parts a plus.
Minimum Qualifications
BS in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Management.
1+ years experience supporting new product launches from a mechanical, process engineering, quality planning, quality engineering or product development perspective.
Experience developing process quality plans, supplier quality audits, and driving corrective actions and failure analysis efforts.
Knowledge of mechanical quality and reliability concepts, supplier management, and general manufacturing operations.
Requires International travel to supplier sites.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $112,100 and $169,100, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 32 Quality Program Manager Jobs in California
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Find Quality Program Manager JobsQuality Program Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Quality Program Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Medical Devices
- Electronics & Hardware
- Artificial Intelligence
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in quality program manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality management, or a related technical field
- Demonstrated experience managing quality programs within regulated California industries such as aerospace, medical devices, or semiconductors
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, or FDA 21 CFR quality management frameworks
- Proven ability to lead CAPA processes, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation
- Experience coordinating cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and supply chain
- Certification such as ASQ Certified Quality Manager or Six Sigma Black Belt preferred by many California employers
Quality Program Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a quality program manager in California?
The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in engineering, quality science, or a closely related field, followed by several years in quality assurance or program coordination roles within a regulated California industry. California does not issue a state license specific to quality program managers, but employers in aerospace, medical devices, and biotech strongly prefer candidates holding ASQ certifications such as the Certified Quality Manager or Certified Quality Engineer. Building experience with FDA or DOD quality frameworks accelerates hiring.
Which companies hire quality program managers in California?
Employers hiring quality program managers in California right now include Lockheed Martin, Meta, and Amazon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, medical device manufacturers, and semiconductor companies means demand remains consistent well beyond the largest household names.
Which California cities have the most quality program manager jobs?
San Francisco, Palo Alto, and San Diego have the most quality program manager openings in California. The Bay Area and Los Angeles dominate because of their dense clusters of aerospace primes, semiconductor fabs, and medical device headquarters, while San Diego draws consistent demand from its large biotech and defense sectors anchored by companies and research institutions concentrated along the I-15 and I-8 corridors.
Are there remote quality program manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical roles because quality program managers frequently need to be on the production floor, in supplier audits, or present during regulatory inspections. About 57% of quality program manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to cover program reporting, documentation governance, and supplier quality coordination rather than hands-on manufacturing oversight.
How can I get hired as a quality program manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a quality assurance technician, quality inspector, or associate quality engineer role within a California manufacturer or medical device company, then building toward program ownership from there. Large California employers in aerospace and medical devices, including those in the South Bay and San Diego, regularly hire recent engineering graduates into rotational or associate quality programs. Earning an ASQ Certified Quality Improvement Associate credential before applying demonstrates commitment and gives candidates a concrete edge over other entry-level applicants.
Where can I find and apply to quality program manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to quality program manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly.
See All 32 Quality Program Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Quality Program Manager Jobs