Supplier​/Vendor QA Engineer

Job Title

Supplier Engineer

The Global Operations Group brings information systems, facilities, supply chain, logistics, and high-volume manufacturing together to drive the engine of our global business operations. We help Lam deliver industry-leading solutions with speed and efficiency, while actively supporting the resilient and profitable growth of Lam's business.

The Supplier Engineer is responsible for ensuring that suppliers can consistently manufacture parts that meet Lam's design intent, quality requirements, and delivery needs. This role owns the technical execution at the supplier, including supplier qualification, process readiness, quality performance, and issue resolution across NPI and high-volume manufacturing. The Supplier Engineer serves as the primary technical interface between Lam and its suppliers, driving process discipline, risk reduction, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Qualification & Readiness

• Lead supplier qualification activities for new and existing suppliers in accordance with Lam global procedures (e.g., supplier qualification, FAIR, POR lock).
• Assess supplier manufacturing capability, process maturity, and quality systems prior to release for production.

Process Ownership & Control

• Define, review, and lock the Supplier Process of Record (POR) in partnership with suppliers and Lam engineering.
• Ensure process changes are controlled and approved through Lam change control mechanisms.
• Drive PFMEA, control plans, and critical feature monitoring at suppliers.

Quality & Issue Resolution

• Lead resolution of supplier quality issues, including NCIs, escapes, FAIR rejections, MRB dispositions, and purges.
• Coordinate root cause analysis (RCCA / 8D) and verify effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.
• Act as technical owner for containment and recovery actions impacting manufacturing and customers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with:
• Product Group Engineering on design intent, tolerances, and technical decisions.
• Manufacturing Engineering on build, test, and factory readiness.
• SCM / Buyers / SBMs on supplier selection, ramp plans, and risk mitigation.
• Support sourcing decisions with technical assessments and supplier capability input.

Supplier Performance & Improvement

• Monitor supplier quality, yield, delivery, and process stability through scorecards and data reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to improve FPY, reduce variation, and increase robustness.
• Participate in supplier audits and on-site assessments as required.

• Minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 3 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience.
• Functional understanding of Thermal & Gas-Flow Control systems, Hardware Instrumentation & Controls

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Manufacturing, Chemical, etc.).
• 5+ years of experience in supplier engineering, manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, or related roles.
• Strong working knowledge of:
• Manufacturing processes
• SPC, PFMEA, control plans
• First Article Inspection (FAIR)
• Root cause and corrective action methodologies
• Experience working directly with external suppliers in a technical capacity.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Work effectively across multiple time zones.

We believe it is important for every person to feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By bringing unique individuals and viewpoints together, we achieve extraordinary results.

Lam Research ("Lam" or the "Company") is an equal opportunity employer. Lam is committed to and reaffirms support of equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination in employment policies, practices and procedures on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

It is the Company's intention to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees.

Lam offers a variety of work location models based on the needs of each role. Our hybrid roles combine the benefits of on-site collaboration with colleagues and the flexibility to work remotely and fall into two categories – On-site Flex and Virtual Flex. 'On-site Flex' you'll work 3+ days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, with the opportunity to work remotely for the balance of the week.

'Virtual Flex' you'll work 1-2 days per week…