Ops Quality Engineer (E5)

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

What We Offer

Salary:

$140,000.00 - $192,500.00

Location:

Austin,TX

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. 

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. 

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management System Leadership

• Develop, implement, and maintain weld shop QMS documentation.
• Create and manage:
  • Quality Manuals
  • Inspection Plans
  • Control Plans
  • Process Maps
  • Quality Records and Templates
• Ensure compliance with internal quality standards and applicable industry requirements.
• Support audit readiness and corrective action closure activities.
• Establish document control and revision management processes. – I am assuming this group is still considered part of SPG.  They should adhere to our existing document control and revision management

Welding Process Quality

• Support welding operations through process qualification and control.
• Review and maintain:
  • Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
  • Procedure Qualification Records (PQR)
  • Welder Qualification Records
• Drive compliance to welding standards and special process requirements.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to improve process capability and reduce variation.
• Familiarity with secondary processes such as cleaning and passivation

In-Process Inspection & Quality Controls

• Design and implement in-process quality checkpoints throughout fabrication.
• Develop inspection plans for:
  • Incoming material verification
  • Fit-up inspection
  • Weld inspection
  • Dimensional verification
  • Final acceptance inspections
• Implement risk-based quality gates to prevent defect escapes.
• Utilize statistical methods and process monitoring techniques to improve process performance.
• Experience interpreting MBD models, GD&T, and engineering drawings for in-process quality control

Nonconformance & Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methods.
• Facilitate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Reduce scrap, rework, and defect escapes through systematic improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement projects utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, and quality engineering tools.

Delivered Quality Ownership

• Monitor and improve customer-facing quality metrics.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards focused on:
  • Defect rates
  • Scrap and rework
  • First Pass Yield
  • Audit findings
  • Customer quality escapes
• Support customer audits and quality reviews as needed.

Training & Quality Culture

• Participate in the development of quality training for weld shop personnel.
• Coach operators and supervisors on quality requirements and process controls.
• Promote a proactive quality culture focused on prevention versus detection.

Functional Knowledge

Quality Systems

• ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
• Auditing principles and compliance programs
• Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA)
• Document control systems
• Risk Management methodologies

Welding & Fabrication General Knowledge

• Weld fabrication processes
• GTAW/TIG welding processes
• WPS/PQR development and management
• Welder qualification requirements
• Welding inspection methods
• Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Dimensional inspection practices

Manufacturing Quality

• Process capability analysis
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
• Root cause analysis
• FMEA
• Control Plans
• Process Validation
• First Article Inspection (FAI)

Tools & Systems

• Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• PLM and document control systems
• ERP/MES environments
• Data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, Minitab preferred)

Business Expertise

• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and quality systems.
• Experience supporting special process manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success implementing quality systems within fabrication, machining, welding, or metal manufacturing operations.
• Ability to balance compliance requirements with operational efficiency.
• Experience establishing scalable quality processes in growing manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of customer quality expectations and audit requirements.

Leadership Expectations

Although an individual contributor role, this position is expected to provide technical leadership by:

• Influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Driving accountability for quality ownership across manufacturing.
• Leading quality improvement initiatives.
• Serving as the subject matter expert for weld shop quality systems.
• Mentoring technicians, inspectors, and manufacturing personnel on quality best practices.
• Championing a culture of prevention, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Problem Solving

• The individual must be able to identify quality risks before defects occur, translate ambiguous requirements into controlled processes, and solve complex manufacturing problems that span engineering, operations, suppliers, and quality systems.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) - Systematically identify the true source of quality issues instead of addressing symptoms.
• Process Control & Prevention Thinking - Must think proactively and focus on prevention rather than detection
• Risk Assessment & Prioritization - Must focus resources on the highest risk areas instead of trying to solve everything equally.
• Data-Driven Decision Making - Make objective decisions based on measurable evidence

Interpersonal Skills

• Individual must possess exceptional communication, collaboration, and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Quality organizations. This individual will routinely translate complex quality and welding requirements into clear, actionable guidance for operators, supervisors, engineers, and leadership teams. Strong technical writing skills are essential, as the role requires developing quality manuals, procedures, work instructions, inspection plans, and audit documentation that are both compliant and practical for shop-floor execution.
• Requires a high degree of relationship-building, leadership through influence, and change management capability. The Quality Engineer must be comfortable challenging the status quo, facilitating difficult discussions, and driving accountability without direct authority.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 10% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.