Quality Engineer III

JOB DESCRIPTION

Quality Engineer III Job Description

Want to discover just how far your intellectual curiosity can take you? You’re in the right place. For more than four decades, Axcelis Technologies has been at the forefront of innovation in semiconductor manufacturing technology. Chipmakers around the globe rely on our tools and process expertise to deliver the semiconductors that power modern life from smartphones and computers to cameras and cars. We have become a technology leader by providing the innovation necessary for business to thrive, quality of life to advance, and the environment to flourish—enabling a truly sustainable future.

Our influence is global, with more than 30 offices worldwide, an installed base of thousands worldwide and a customer list that includes the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers. Our team is expanding, and we are currently hiring a Quality Engineer III.  This is a senior-level individual contributor responsible for advancing product quality, process capability, and quality system compliance for semiconductor equipment manufacturing, including precision electro-mechanical assemblies, modules, and subsystem builds. This role partners closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Supply Chain, Supplier Quality, Service, and Operations to investigate nonconformances, lead root cause analysis, implement effective corrective and preventive actions, and drive continuous improvement. This role will contribute to the effective management of the environmental, health and safety program at Axcelis’ semiconductor equipment manufacturing facility in Beverly MA

Responsibilities:

• Partner with Design, Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to support new product introduction, engineering changes, first article activities, qualification builds, and process validation efforts.  New Products may include contract manufacturing.
• Drive continuous improvement (CI) initiatives focused on defect reduction, scrap and rework reduction, cycle time improvement, and cost of poor quality. Provide leadership of Section Quality Teams focused on CI.
• Lead complex investigations related to nonconformances, escapes, customer returns, process deviations, and field quality issues affecting semiconductor equipment, modules, and precision assemblies
• Analyze quality data and manufacturing trends to identify recurring failure modes, variation drivers, yield loss, and opportunities to improve process capability and equipment reliability.
• Develop and maintain inspection plans, control plans, acceptance criteria, sampling strategies, and process controls for precision machined parts, cables, harnesses, assemblies, and subassemblies.
• Facilitate root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, and fault isolation techniques, and ensure timely, effective CAPA implementation.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and change documentation to ensure quality requirements are clearly defined and effectively deployed into production.
• Support supplier quality activities, including incoming quality issues, supplier corrective actions, containment, qualification support, and collaboration on recurring component or assembly defects.
• This role typically works in a combination of office, laboratory, cleanroom, and manufacturing environments and may require direct production support, participation in quality reviews, and interaction with internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure adherence to cleanroom, ESD, contamination control, traceability, and workmanship requirements applicable to semiconductor equipment manufacturing.
• Support internal, customer, and supplier audits and help ensure readiness for external quality system assessments.
• Demonstrate a Quality mindset in daily work and interactions and actively participate in building a strong quality culture throughout Operations.
• Mentor less experienced engineers and quality team members through coaching, problem-solving support, and knowledge sharing on semiconductor equipment manufacturing quality requirements.
• May include travel up to 20%

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 5+ years of progressive experience in quality or manufacturing engineering within semiconductor equipment manufacturing, precision electro-mechanical assembly, or a similarly complex high-technology manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience with nonconformance management, root cause analysis, CAPA, and continuous improvement in a controlled manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with quality engineering tools such as 8D, control plans, SPC, process capability analysis, sampling methods, and risk assessment.
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, assembly requirements, and technical specifications.
• Demonstrated capability with of ERP, MES, PLM, and quality data systems used to manage defects, changes, and manufacturing records. (i.e. Glovia, Opcenter, Windchill, MS Dynamics, Cognos)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, influence cross-functional teams, and work effectively with limited supervision in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, Six Sigma, Lean and 5S, or similar professional certification.
• Experience with cleanroom protocols, ESD controls, contamination control practices, and traceability requirements.
• Prior experience leading cross-functional improvement projects or serving as a technical quality resource for NPI and sustaining manufacturing.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Axcelis to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment for all persons free from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, disability status, medical condition (including pregnancy), veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.  Axcelis will provide reasonable accommodation necessary to enable a disabled candidate or employee to perform the essential functions of the position, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the Company.
 

U.S. BASE SALARY RANGE

This base salary range reflects the typical compensation for this role across U.S. locations.

Our salary ranges are determined by role and level; individual pay is determined based on

multiple factors, including job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, work

location, and internal equity. The range provides the opportunity for growth and progression as

you develop within the role.

Base pay is one part of our U.S. total compensation package which includes eligibility in the

Axcelis Team Incentive bonus plan, and comprehensive benefits package (for regular

employees working 20+ hours a week).