Welding - Supplier Engineer

Overview

Develop, qualify, and continuously improve welding and fabrication processes across the global supplier base, ensuring suppliers meet quality, reliability, and technical requirements for precision welded assemblies used in semiconductor equipment.

What you'll do

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance processes for supplier-manufactured welded components and assemblies.
• Review and approve supplier welding procedures for compliance with AWS, ASME, and customer-specific requirements.
• Evaluate technical requirements of new and existing parts; recommend qualified sources and technical improvements.
• Lead supplier onboarding, capability assessments, and technical audits for welding and fabrication processes.
• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs such as yield, PPM, FPY, defect trends, and audit scores.
• Maintain accurate documentation of supplier capabilities, deviations, CoCs, NCRs, qualifications, and performance reports.
• Work with design, manufacturing, and process engineering to resolve weldability issues, distortion, cracking, and component reliability concerns.
• Partner with SMEs in advanced joining technologies including Electron Beam Welding (EBW), Fusion Welding Systems (FWS), Vacuum Brazing (VB) / Furnace Brazing (FB), and Plastic Welding.
• Support advanced material applications such as ceramics, graphite, quartz, and specialty alloys used in semiconductor equipment.
• Investigate alternative joining technologies, materials, and suppliers to improve quality, manufacturability, and cost.
• Align with procurement, quality engineering, and NPI teams to ensure quality requirements are clearly defined and communicated.
• Provide mentoring and training to internal teams on welding fundamentals, fabrication processes, and supplier evaluation methods.
• Lead incident management, supplier excursions, and high-impact quality problem resolutions.
• Conduct structured Root Cause Analysis (RCA) using 8D, Six Sigma tools, fishbone, 5-Why, and fault tree analysis.
• Validate and track corrective actions to closure, ensuring long-term containment and process improvement.
• Interface with suppliers during escalations and drive improvements in welding parameters, fixture design, process controls, and inspection methods.
• Analyze supplier quality data using SPC, Pareto analysis, trend charts, and capability studies.
• Use data insights to drive supplier development strategy and risk mitigation activities.
• Support implementation and audits of FMEA, Control Plans, PFMEA, MSA, and process capability analyses.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve yield, reduce variation, and enhance repeatability of welded assemblies.
• Develop best-known-methods (BKMs) and standard work for welding processes in the supply base.
• Support NPI by reviewing drawings, specifications, and first-article submissions (FAI/PPAP) for manufacturability and compliance.
• Lead cross-functional projects involving engineering, quality, procurement, and suppliers.
• Represent Supplier Engineering in meetings, audits, and technical reviews.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in welding processes (GTAW, GMAW, EBW, LBW, brazing).
• Experience with manual, semi-automatic, and automated welding equipment.
• Strong grounding in metallurgy, material testing, and heat treatment processes.
• Strong ability to review, audit, and approve welding procedures (WPS, PQR, WPQ) for code compliance and application suitability.
• Hands-on expertise in welding of aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel.
• Familiarity with GTAW, GMAW, EBW, LBW, brazing (vacuum, torch, furnace), and automated welding systems.
• Working knowledge of metallurgy, material testing, heat treatment, and weld defect characterization.
• Understanding of fabrication practices for high-purity, semiconductor-grade assemblies (cleanliness requirements, contamination control).
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerances, and weld symbols.
• Working knowledge of standard manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication).
• Proficiency in MS Excel, reporting, and basic data analysis.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to use structured methodologies (8D, DMAIC, SPC, DOE) to drive sustainable improvements.

Nice to have

• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), AWS Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS), AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE), ASNT ACCP Level I/II/III, or AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng).
• Internship or project experience in semiconductor manufacturing or precision welding.
• Exposure to wafer fabrication, packaging, or reliability engineering.
• Willingness to develop in related domains such as metal finishing (anodization, plating, ENP), precision cleaning, and chemical/material analysis methods.

Details

• Location: Bangalore, India.
• Full-time, assignee/regular role.
• Domestic and international travel of 30–50%, depending on supplier and project needs.
• Relocation eligible.