Quality Engineer

Swindon Full-Time No home office possible

As a Quality Engineer, you will play a key role in both customer quality assurance and supplier quality management within the semiconductor industry. A primary focus of this role is leading customer return investigations, ensuring timely and structured 8D analysis in close collaboration with the Failure Analysis (FA) team and suppliers. You will be responsible for clearly and professionally communicating investigation progress and outcomes to customers, guiding internal and external teams in the preparation of high-quality 8D reports, and prioritising failure investigations based on customer impact and business needs.

In parallel, you will monitor and drive improvements in supplier performance across key semiconductor suppliers involved in wafer fabrication, ASIC assembly, and testing. This will be achieved through effective issue resolution, verification of corrective actions, MRB/CRB oversight, and participation in audit activities. A critical aspect of the role involves ensuring that customer feedback and non-conformities are effectively cascaded to suppliers to enable robust, sustainable corrective actions and continuous improvement.

General Responsibilities

Own and manage the customer return process from logging through resolution, ensuring timely and thorough execution of 8D investigations.

Lead communication with customers, keeping them well-informed on progress, containment, root cause, and corrective/preventive actions.

Coordinate and prioritise failure analysis activities with the Failure Analysis team based on urgency, customer impact, and business priorities.

Provide guidance to internal teams and suppliers on effective 8D problem-solving techniques and standards.

Conduct initial electrical and visual inspections on customer returns.

Lead resolution of supplier-related quality issues by conducting structured root cause analysis and verifying corrective/preventive actions.

Drive the flow-down of customer complaints and field failures to the relevant supplier processes, ensuring supplier accountability and timely action.

Facilitate and lead Material Review Board (MRB) and Change Review Board (CRB) activities to assess and address quality concerns effectively.

Collaborate closely with Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain to ensure supplier quality issues are addressed holistically and with long-term solutions.

Evaluate supplier performance using defined KPIs and ensure supplier improvement plans are relevant and up to date.

Conduct supplier audits and assessments, with a focus on identifying systemic risks and ensuring process compliance.

Establish and communicate clear quality expectations, specifications, and documentation requirements to suppliers.

Maintain comprehensive records of supplier evaluations, audits, quality concerns, and corrective actions to support traceability and compliance.

Experience / Qualifications

A university degree (e.g. Bachelor\’s degree) is required, or equivalent relevant work experience in a quality engineering role within the semiconductor or automotive electronics sector, with a minimum of two years’ experience.

Proven experience with semiconductor processes: wafer fabrication, ASIC assembly, and test.

Hands-on knowledge of quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.3).

Experience with APQP, PPAP, and SPC tools.

Strong problem-solving skills, including use of 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, etc.

Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)

Strong interpersonal & collaboration skills to work effectively with all levels of the organisation including suppliers and external customers.