Western Digital Hiring! Full Time Senior Engineer, Supplier Quality Engineering in Pulau Pinang - Ricebowl

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end supplier quality performance, including qualification, onboarding, monitoring, and continuous improvement across assigned commodity or suppliers.
• Act as the primary quality interface between suppliers and internal teams including Engineering, Procurement, Operations, and R&D.
• Define and deploy robust supplier quality strategies aligned with business goals, focusing on risk mitigation, cost of poor quality (COPQ) reduction, and supply continuity.
• Establish, track, and continuously improve supplier KPIs (e.g., defect rate, yield impact, responsiveness, audit scores), and drive accountability through regular business reviews (QBRs/MBRs).
• Lead supplier qualification activities, including technical capability assessment, process audits, and quality system evaluation
• Define and optimize incoming inspection strategies based on risk assessment and supplier performance.
• Drive continuous improvement in incoming quality control processes to reduce inspection cost while maintaining quality standards.
• Drive structured problem-solving with suppliers using methodologies such as 8D, DMAIC, and root cause analysis (RCA), ensuring effectiveness and prevention of recurrence.
• Manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCAR), including issuance, follow-up, verification of root cause, and validation of corrective/preventive actions
• Conduct regular on-site and remote audits (process, system, layered process audits), identifying gaps and driving closure of findings.
• Evaluate and approve supplier change requests (process, material, location, sub-tier suppliers) and ensure proper change control, risk assessment, and validation prior to implementation.
• Partner with suppliers to improve process capability (Cp/Cpk), yield, and overall manufacturing robustness through data-driven improvement initiatives.
• Drive early detection and containment of quality issues through implementation of effective incoming quality controls, supplier self-inspection, and FMEA .
• Lead escalation management for critical supplier issues impacting production, ensuring rapid containment, cross-functional alignment, and executive-level communication when needed.
• Develop supplier capability through training, technical coaching, and joint improvement projects to elevate maturity in quality systems and manufacturing processes.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, and customer-specific quality requirements across the supply base.
• Drive digitalization and automation of supplier quality processes, leveraging data analytics tools (e.g., Minitab, Spotfire, Power BI) to enhance visibility, predictive insights, and decision-making.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for both internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Drive IMS activities within department

Contamination Control & Cleanliness Management

• Define and enforce contamination control requirements across the supply base, particularly for critical components 
• Assess and qualify supplier cleanroom environments, including classification, airflow design, gowning protocols, and material handling practices.
• Conduct contamination-focused audits at supplier sites, covering:
• Cleanroom discipline and behavior
• Equipment cleanliness and maintenance
• Packaging and transportation controls
• Drive implementation of contamination prevention controls such as:
• Poka-yoke for handling and storage
• Controlled packaging (vacuum, nitrogen, double-bagging)
• Cleaning and bake processes validation
• Drive supplier capability improvement in contamination control through training, benchmarking, and joint improvement programs.
• Establish data-driven monitoring using analytics tools (Minitab, Spotfire, Power BI) to identify trends in contamination-related defects and proactively mitigate risks.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and internal specifications related to cleanliness and environmental control.

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Materials, or related field).
• Certification in quality-related disciplines (e.g., Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, CQE) is preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in Supplier Quality Engineering, Quality Assurance, or related roles within manufacturing or high-tech industries.
• Proven experience in managing suppliers, conducting audits, and driving quality improvements.
• Experience in NPI, supplier qualification, and process validation is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of quality systems and methodologies (ISO standards, SPC, FMEA, Control Plans)
• Proficiency in data analytics tools such as Minitab, Spotfire, and Power BI for statistical analysis and visualization.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and supply chain operations.
• Experience in failure analysis, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

• Strong analytical thinking with the ability to interpret complex datasets and drive data-driven decisions.
• Hands-on experience in statistical tools and techniques for process improvement.
• Ability to identify systemic issues and implement sustainable solutions.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams and external suppliers.
• Strong presentation skills to communicate insights and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Ability to manage conflicts and drive alignment across diverse teams.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Self-driven, proactive, and results-oriented mindset.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated leadership in driving supplier performance and continuous improvement initiatives.

Preferred:

• Willingness to travel for supplier audits and business needs (as required).
• Ability to work in a dynamic and global environment with diverse teams.