Senior Staff Quality Engineer

Who You Are

You are an analytical problem-solver who thrives in the dynamic environment of a manufacturing floor. You champion the Quality Management System. You love figuring out why problems exist and identifying solutions to prevent them from happening again.

You are a visionary Senior Staff Quality Engineer with expertise in a regulated QMS environment (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or GMP). You’re a natural collaborator, who knows how to speak the language of different teams–whether you’re talking tolerances with Equipment Engineers, discussing process capability with Process Engineering, aligning on data with Quality Control, or supporting the fast-paced demands of Operations. You balance a high standard for quality with a practical understanding of manufacturing throughput.

Responsibilities and Duties  

Problem Solving & Investigation Stewardship

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Leadership: Serve as an expert Root Cause Analyses (RCA) facilitator and own end-to-end stewardship of major manufacturing quality event investigations.
• R&D & Internal Customer Interface: Serve as the core Quality partner for R&D and NPI teams, managing the feedback loop to smoothly transition new products/process into stable, high-yield manufacturing

Operational Quality & Data Governance

• SPC and SQC Governance: Oversee Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Statistical Quality Control (SQC) frameworks, leveraging data reviews to proactively optimize manufacturing yield.
• Cross-Functional Operations: Partner with Manufacturing Process Engineering, Equipment Engineering, Quality Control, and Operations teams to lead Material Review Board (MRB) dispositions and align daily production with quality standards

Manufacturing Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Proactive Floor Governance & Cleanliness: Establish a systematic routine for manufacturing floor walks and process audits to identify risks early.
• Workflow Simplification & Yield Optimization: Lead continuous improvement projects to streamline Sila’s manufacturing and QC systems/workflows, balancing strict compliance with operational throughput to maximize quality yield.

QMS, Compliance & Leadership

• Audit & QMS Leadership: Execute Sila’s internal audit program and lead/support readiness efforts for external quality certification and surveillance audits.

Executive Reporting & Culture: Track and report key quality performance metrics while driving quality culture and QMS awareness training to Manufacturing teams

Knowledge and Skill Requirements 

• Experience: Minimum 10 years of quality engineering experience within an established Quality Management System (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or GMP). Deep background in material or chemical manufacturing operations is highly preferred.
• Systemic Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Advanced proficiency in data driven RCA tools (8D, 5 Whys, FMEA, statistical process control) to diagnose complex variations that drive effective and lasting Corrective and Preventative Actions (CAPA). 
• Standards & Auditing: Demonstrated expertise with ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949. Auditing experience, including leading internal audits to ensure continuous site readiness.
• Statistical Software Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of advanced data analysis and statistical software, specifically JMP or Hex, to manipulate large datasets, conduct capability studies, and drive data-backed quality decisions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Facilitation: Proven skill in leading and structuring critical meetings to ensure efficiency and clear, accountable outcomes. Must be adept at mediating conflicts and building consensus among diverse functional groups.
• Mentorship & Development: Experience in coaching and mentoring junior staff or peers on quality principles and QMS procedures, providing constructive and empathetic feedback to foster professional growth.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
• Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time
• Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location

The starting base pay for this role is between $156,000 and $197,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, equity, and bonuses.  The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. #LI-PL1 #LI-Onsite