Senior SQA Engineer (Supplier Technical Support)

Provide expert technical oversight at electronics and PCBA suppliers covering SMT, wave soldering, selective soldering, and through-hole assembly processes.

Assess and validate soldering quality against IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) and IPC-J-STD-001 standards; coach supplier inspection teams in correct application.

Evaluate bare PCB suppliers for compliance with IPC-6012 / IPC-A-600 and review first article inspection of boards including impedance, via integrity, and surface finish.

Review and validate electronic PFMEA and control plans for critical failure modes: solder bridges, opens, tombstoning, cold joints, pad cratering, and component orientation.

Support qualification of new solder pastes, fluxes, and process chemistries; oversee SPC implementation on key process parameters (reflow profile, paste deposit, AOI escape rate).

Drive appropriate use of automated optical inspection (AOI), automated X-ray inspection (AXI/3D-CT), and in-circuit test (ICT) within supplier quality gates.

Assess electrostatic discharge (ESD) controls, traceability, and handling procedures in line with ANSI/ESD S20.20 requirements.

Evaluate conformal coating processes (acrylic, silicone, polyurethane) for automotive environmental requirements including humidity, thermal cycling, and vibration resistance.

Review component qualification evidence and manage supplier response to obsolescence, counterfeiting risk (AS6081), and counterfeit avoidance controls.

Support suppliers in establishing or strengthening quality management systems compliant with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001.

Conduct and lead formal second-party audits including System, Process, and Product audits with documented findings and corrective action follow-through.

Identify systemic process risks and develop targeted improvement plans using lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

Champion continuous improvement initiatives at supplier sites using structured problem-solving and data-driven approaches.