Operations and Customer Quality Engineer

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

What We Offer

Salary:

$144,000.00 - $198,000.00

Location:

Kalispell,MT

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. 

General Profile: 

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Quality Leader to lead factory quality performance for our Kalispell, MT manufacturing operations. This leader will be accountable for Manufacturing Quality execution, factory performance improvement, MRRT, Metrology, Quality Metrics, and Achievement of AOP Objectives.

The role will drive measurable improvements in DMRs, Scrap, Manufacturing Nonconformances (NC), and quality-related factory disruptions while strengthening root-cause problem solving and recurrence prevention.

This leader will also be responsible for the Metrology Lab, incoming inspections, PPI, and the Calibration Lab.

Key Responsibilities

• Considered subject matter expert in managing company-wide, cross functional quality program and related business processes.  This includes the definition, specification, and implementation of standards, methods and procedures for developing quality programs.
• Develop, deliver, and cascade quality training and courses.  Monitors current quality training to ensure compatibility with current programs.
• Establishing, influencing, and managing multiple business segments with focus on business and operational results through use of continuous improvement methods. 
• Lead overall Manufacturing Quality performance for the Kalispell factory.
• Own strategies and actions to reduce DMRs, Scrap, Manufacturing IOF Nonconformances (NC), and quality-related factory disruptions against established AOP objectives.
• Lead MRRT and factory quality escalation, ensuring effective risk assessment, containment, ownership, and corrective action.
• Lead the on-site Metrology organization, including measurement-system and calibration governance.
• Own Manufacturing Quality AOP metrics, scorecards, performance reviews, manufacturing escalations, and QBR reporting.
• Drive disciplined root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive action to eliminate recurring factory quality issues.
• Partner across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Supplier Quality and Customer Quality to resolve systemic manufacturing issues.
• Strengthen factory execution through effective MRB, Nonconformance disposition, containment and recurrence prevention.
• Build and develop a high-performing Manufacturing Quality organization with strong technical capability, accountability, and succession planning.
• Drive standardization and continuous improvement of Manufacturing Quality processes and operating practices in harmonization with other BUs within Applied Materials.
• Provides leadership and support to subordinates in meeting quality assurance system requirements along with department and company goals and objectives with primary consideration for safety, quality, productivity and cost. Evaluate the performance and effectiveness of audit staff at the projects completion.  Evaluate and develop direct reports via IDP, EDR, continuous feedback, and annual performance review.
• Responsible for overseeing division's ISO Certification process. Handles special projects, as assigned.

Functional Knowledge

• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of concepts and principles within own job family and knowledge of other related job families
• Significant progressive experience in manufacturing, quality engineering, operations engineering or a related technical leadership function.
• Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing/factory quality organizations or teams in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of nonconformance management, MRB, root-cause analysis, corrective action and defect-prevention methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to use factory metrics such as DMR, scrap, nonconformance and production-impact data to prioritize and drive improvement.
• Experience leading cross-functional problem solving across Quality, Operations and Engineering.
• Demonstrated people-leadership capability, including organizational development, coaching, accountability, and performance management.

• Strong executive communication skills with the ability to translate complex quality issues into clear business risks, priorities, and corrective actions.

Business Expertise

• Applies in-depth understanding of how own discipline integrates within the segment/function 
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Quality, Operations or Business.
• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing/quality experience with 10+ years in people or organizational leadership.
• Experience in semiconductor equipment, capital equipment, medical technology, aerospace, automotive or other complex/high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading Metrology, calibration or measurement-system organizations.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 8D, DMAIC, FMEA, SPC, RCCA and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience developing and managing factory Quality KPIs, AOP objectives, operating reviews and executive/QBR reporting.
• Experience driving measurable improvement in scrap, defects, nonconformance recurrence, factory uptime or cost of poor quality.
• ASQ certifications such as CQE, CMQ/OE, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, or equivalent professional certification.
• Demonstrated success deploying common quality operating models across multiple products, factories, or business units.

Leadership

• Manages multiple related teams, sets organizational priorities and allocates resources 

Problem Solving

• Identifies and resolves complex technical, operational and organizational problems 
• Analytical thinker and able to assess risks and opportunities to develop effective solutions.
• Critical thinker and capable of questioning assumptions, considering multiple perspectives, and making reasoned judgments.

Impact

• Impacts the business results of a team or area by supporting and funding of projects, products, services and/or technologies and developing policies and plans
• Guided by business unit, department or sub-functional business plans

Interpersonal Skills

• Influences others internally and externally, including senior management

Position requires understanding of Applied Materials global Standards of Business Conduct and compliance with these standards at all times. This includes demonstrating the highest level of ethical conduct reflecting Applied Materials' core values.

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Experience: 10 - 15 Years

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 [email protected], 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.