Welding - Supplier Engineer
Applied Materials · Posted Nov 4
Semiconductor equipment, display manufacturing systems, and materials engineering solutions
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About the role
Applied Materials is a global leader in materials science and engineering solutions underpinning semiconductor chips and advanced displays, building and servicing the equipment that advances AI and next-generation chip commercialization. The Welding Supplier Engineer develops, qualifies, and continuously improves 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. The role involves supplier audits and onboarding, root cause analysis and corrective actions, data-driven supplier development, and cross-functional work with design, manufacturing, procurement, and NPI teams, with 30–50% domestic and international travel.
What you will 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 to enhance product reliability and reduce risk.
- 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)
- 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.
Skills used in this role
What the employer is looking for
- 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).
- Willingness to develop in related domains such as:
- Metal finishing (anodization, plating, ENP)
- Precision cleaning
- Chemical/material analysis methods
- Ability to solve complex welding and fabrication issues with broad business impact.
- Use structured methodologies (8D, DMAIC, SPC, DOE) to drive sustainable improvements.
- Lead cross-functional projects involving engineering, quality, procurement, and suppliers.
- Prioritize and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
- Influence stakeholders and negotiate solutions with suppliers and internal teams.
- Communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Prepare detailed reports, technical reviews, and decision-driving recommendations.
- Facilitate cross-functional alignment on supplier-related issues.
- Represent Supplier Engineering in meetings, audits, and technical reviews.
- 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.
- 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.
Preferred qualifications
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
- AWS Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)
- AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
- ASNT ACCP Level I/II/III
- AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng)
- Internship or project experience in semiconductor manufacturing or precision welding.
- Exposure to wafer fabrication, packaging, or reliability engineering.
Benefits and support
- Relocation assistance (relocation eligible)
About Applied Materials
Applied Materials, Inc. is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. The company designs, builds, and services cutting-edge equipment that enables manufacturers to create semiconductor and display chips essential for modern electronics and AI infrastructure. Through its extensive portfolio of deposition, etch, and planarization systems, Applied Materials serves as a foundational pillar of the global semiconductor industry.
- Industry
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Company size
- 36500+ employees
- Founded
- 1967
- Location
- Santa Clara, California, USA
- Funding stage
- Public Company
Funding
Public Company · $1.5B raised
Leadership
President and Chief Executive Officer
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
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