Supplier Quality Engineer Jobs in California
Supplier quality engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, medical devices, and automotive supply chains, with openings from entry-level quality technician roles through senior and principal engineer positions. The heaviest hiring is in San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where established employers like Lockheed Martin, Medtronic, and Qualcomm maintain large engineering and manufacturing operations. The most in-demand specialties in California are supplier auditing, AS9100 and ISO 13485 quality systems, and incoming inspection for complex manufactured components. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Mattson
Mattson Technology is a global company with nearly 30 years of experience delivering leading-edge technology and products in the Dry Strip, Plasma and Thermal markets to our customers. While we consider Silicon Valley our roots, we have evolved into a worldwide organization that includes manufacturing, research and development, customer support, finance and sales operations throughout Asia, Europe and North America. Our success is a result, in large part to the highly qualified and dedicated employees at Mattson Technology. Our employees represent a diverse group of individuals, committed to working as a team to deliver on our commitments. We value the ingenuity, flexibility, passion, knowledge and “can do” attitude that our employees exemplify daily. We encourage you to consider a career at Mattson Technology. Mattson Technology recognizes that to recruit and retain a team of highly qualified employees, we must invest in our employees and therefore, we offer a comprehensive employee benefits package.
This opening is for a Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer. Under minimal supervision, performs complex assignments to develop, apply, and maintain quality requirements for incoming materials. Participates in the design and implementation of methods and procedures for testing and inspecting the quality level of incoming material. Reviews supporting manufacturing and procurement documentation to ensure it contains the necessary criteria and provisions to permit effective inspection and testing of materials. Initiates corrective action for procedural, product, or process deficiencies. Analyzes reports and rejected purchased material and recommends corrective action.
Key Responsibilities
- Sustains the production line through implementation of established procedures.
- Performs moderately complex analytical measurements and experiments to resolve product and process issues.
- Collects and analyzes data for trends using moderately complex quality tools and techniques and takes corrective action on the results.
- Works on NCMRs and other tasks related to the dispositioning and corrective action of non-conforming material.
- Assists team members on yield and scrap improvement projects by taking responsibility for action items related to the project.
- Supports Customer Account Managers on quality issues affecting customers.
- Attends and participates in meetings regarding New Product Introduction and Design for Manufacturability, and is responsible to deliver on-time, the quality deliverables as stated in the Engineering Design Process.
- Develops reports related to supplier quality and process control, utilizing available software applications and takes improvement actions on the results.
- Coordinates meetings to formulate methodologies for root cause analysis. Implements statistical methods to isolate problems and resolve them.
- Reviews supporting manufacturing and procurement documentation to ensure it contains the necessary criteria and provisions to permit effective inspection and testing of products and materials to meet specified requirements.
- Takes corrective action on procedural, product, or process deficiencies internally and at Suppliers.
- Analyzes reports on rejected supplier material and implements corrective actions as appropriate.
- Participates in Supplier selection. Performs supplier qualification, supplier quality system audits and supplier process audits.
- Participates in the development of Supplier Quality Management systems and procedures.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering discipline and 5+ years of related experience.
- Alternatively, a Technical Certificate, or Quality Engineering (QE) Certificate with 8+ years of related experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Effective verbal and written communication skills that clearly convey information and ideas. Ability to communicate in such a way to influence peers and management, as well as communicate well cross-functionally in a professional manner.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office software programs, to a level of professional proficiency. Able to produce professional Engineering reports including introductions, conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to analyze and resolve technical problems of a complex nature quickly and independently.
- Strong knowledge of inspection methods in the design, fabrication, and production of electronic or electro-mechanical equipment.
- Ability to use and navigate quality analysis software programs for the analysis of raw attribute and variable data.
- Strong knowledge of Supplier Quality Management and Supplier Quality Management systems.
- Ability to use and navigate documentation control systems, PLM and MRP systems. This includes change generation and justification to the change control board as applicable.
- Working knowledge of a category of purchased material manufacturing processes and standards for Metal Fabrication and/or Electro-Mechanical and other key services including paint, powder coat, plating, anodizing, surface treatment and cleaning.
- Ability to work on multiple projects and achieve completion milestones as set by upper management.
- Strong knowledge of GD&T, MIL STD 1916, associated ASTM, ANSI and ASME Mechanical Standards for Machining and Mechanical parts.
- Strong knowledge and application of problem solving techniques such as 8D, FMEA, cause and effect, and brainstorming.
- Working knowledge of Quality Function Deployment and ISO requirements.
- Demonstrated ability and history of innovative Quality techniques i.e. Six Sigma, DFM, DFR.
- Working knowledge of Statistics, SPC and Six Sigma and other quality control techniques (i.e. DFM, DFR, DFT, TCOO, etc), and to interpret, plan and react to statistical data analysis.
- Working knowledge and application of supplier selection processes. Performs supplier qualification, supplier quality system audits and supplier process audits.
- Ability to participate in meetings or lead meetings as needed to find solutions to complex supplier or process quality problems.
- Ability to write clear, concise, complex and professional detailed reports on the results of complex projects. Ability to present results of projects or corrective actions in a meeting atmosphere.
- Ability to contribute in the development of training materials.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
See All 66 Supplier Quality Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSupplier Quality Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Supplier Quality Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Applied Materials7

- Joby Aviation6

- Form Energy5

- Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)5

- Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences4

Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware18
- Medical Devices9
- Technology & Software9
- Aerospace & Defense8
- Consulting & Professional Services5
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in supplier quality engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, or a related technical discipline
- Experience conducting supplier audits and corrective action processes (CAPA, 8D)
- Proficiency with quality management systems such as AS9100, ISO 9001, or ISO 13485
- Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and control plan documentation
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and technical specifications
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) preferred
Supplier Quality Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a supplier quality engineer in California?
A bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering is the standard entry point for supplier quality engineer roles in California. California does not require a state-issued license for this role, but many employers expect familiarity with aerospace or medical device standards given the state's dominant industries. Earning an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer credential strengthens candidacy, and candidates targeting aerospace roles should build familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems early.
How much do supplier quality engineers make in California?
Supplier quality engineers in California earn a median of about $124,600 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,900 for the lowest 10% to over $172,870 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire supplier quality engineers in California?
Employers hiring supplier quality engineers in California right now include Applied Materials, Joby Aviation, and Form Energy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, medical device manufacturers, and semiconductor firms means ongoing demand across both large corporations and their Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most supplier quality engineer jobs?
Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Berkeley have the most supplier quality engineer openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego anchor the aerospace and defense supply chains that drive the bulk of these roles, while San Jose reflects Silicon Valley's dense cluster of semiconductor and electronics manufacturers that rely on supplier quality functions to manage complex global component sourcing.
Are there remote supplier quality engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 6% of supplier quality engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how hands-on the role typically is. Supplier quality engineers routinely visit production sites and supplier facilities to perform audits and inspect components, which limits full remote arrangements. Documentation-heavy functions like supplier performance reporting and PPAP review are the parts most commonly done off-site.
How can I get hired as a supplier quality engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a quality technician or quality inspector in a California manufacturing environment, then moving into supplier-facing responsibilities. Large California aerospace and defense employers like Northrop Grumman and Raytheon run structured rotational engineering programs that place new graduates in quality functions. Adjacent roles in receiving inspection, manufacturing engineering, or production quality at medical device companies in Orange County or the San Diego biotech corridor are also common stepping stones. An ASQ Certified Quality Inspector credential gives early-career candidates a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to supplier quality engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to supplier quality engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across aerospace, medical devices, semiconductor, and automotive sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 66 Supplier Quality Engineer Jobs in California
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