Roles / APQP and PPAP Engineer

APQP and PPAP Engineer

QSS-011v1

Quality, Reliability, Functional Safety & Product SecurityQualityIC3–IC6Individual contributor

Also known as: Zero Defect Engineer; Advanced Product Quality Planning Engineer; Launch Quality Engineer

See this role on the Automotive lifecycle or on the Power and compound lifecycle or on the MEMS and sensors lifecycle or on the SoC lifecycle

Summary

Drives disciplined product launch through APQP phase gates and complete PPAP submissions so a new automotive or industrial device reaches SOP with proven process capability and zero-defect controls in place.

A day in the life

Work in progressNo day-in-the-life description has been written for this role yet. If you do this work, we would welcome yours. Suggest a source or a correction

Responsibilities

Lines tagged General are the Hub's general description of this kind of role, used where the role register has no entry yet. They are kept under review and will be refined.

Project

Work done for a product or program.

Run APQP phase reviews across design, process design, validation and launch gates with cross-functional sign-off.
Compile PPAP submissions at the customer-required level, including design records, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, capability studies and part submission warrant.
Build and maintain process flow diagrams and control plans for wafer fab, probe, assembly and final test steps.
Facilitate PFMEA workshops using AIAG-VDA methodology and drive high action priority items to closure.
Establish measurement system analysis studies (gauge R&R, bias, linearity) for critical test and metrology equipment.
Execute capability studies to demonstrate Ppk and Cpk targets on critical parameters before production release.
Define zero-defect strategies including safe launch containment, tightened limits, 100% screening and burn-in for the ramp phase.
Set up traceability from wafer lot and die location to shipped unit to support rapid containment.
Coordinate run-at-rate and production trial runs with fab, OSAT and test sites.
Transition launch controls to steady-state production controls with documented exit criteria.

Function

Work that keeps the discipline running: methods, tools, suppliers and people.

Maintain the quality management system, its procedures and its audits.General
Track quality metrics and report trends to management.General
Keep the organisation current with the standards it works to, such as automotive, safety or security standards.General

Major tasks

Project

Produce and hand over the role's key deliverables
- Customer-approved PPAP package and part submission warrant
- Process flow diagram, PFMEA and control plan set
- Measurement system analysis and process capability study reports
- Safe launch plan with containment exit criteria
- APQP gate review records and open issue list
Qualify the productGeneral
- Write the qualification plan
- Run stress tests and analyse the results
- Approve the qualification report
Handle quality issuesGeneral
- Analyse failures
- Drive corrective and preventive action
- Respond to customers

Function

Run the quality systemGeneral
- Maintain procedures and records
- Prepare for and run audits
Report and improveGeneral
- Track quality metrics
- Lead improvement projects

Works with

Product and test engineering
fab and OSAT process engineers
customer quality
program management
supplier quality
metrology

Typical backgrounds

BS in engineering; 4–12 years in semiconductor manufacturing or quality with automotive launch experience.

Demand signal

0 open listings right now
0 Talent Wafer employer inquiries

Counts live listings tagged to this role, and employer interest in candidates from Talent Wafer runs for this role (all runs to date). Hub activity only, not the wider market.

Comp tier (within semis)

2 / 5

Remote feasibility

Medium

Semis core vs. portable

Highly portable

Geographic hotspots

Munich, Villach, Dresden, Hsinchu, Penang, Singapore, Detroit, Austin, Nagoya, Shanghai

Certifications / standards training

AIAG core tools certification (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC); ASQ CQE; Six Sigma Black Belt; VDA 6.3 awareness

Transfers to (industries)

Automotive component plants, aerospace manufacturing, medical device production, appliance and industrial equipment manufacturing, EMS providers

Risk if vacant

Launches proceed without approved PPAP or proven capability, so the customer blocks shipment or the ramp produces defects that are only caught in the field.

APQP and PPAP Engineer

Summary

A day in the life

Responsibilities

Project

Function

Major tasks

Project

Function

Works with

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