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Staff Engineer, Quality

Coherent · Newark, DE

Apply on Coherent ↗
Level
Senior
Team
Quality
Degree
Required
Experience asked
2+ years
Certification
Black Belt preferred
Industry
Industrial
Posted
2 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior quality role at Coherent (industrial) in Newark, DE. A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome.

They ask for
2+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
Tools it names
Six Sigma, Black Belt, Green Belt, Root cause, SPC, FMEA

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Quality Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $95k–$134k.

Median of the low and high ends of 647 live postings that list pay, out of 1680 quality engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Delaware plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 10 other live quality postings in Delaware.

Experience asked
Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Root cause 91%
  • ✓ SPC 64%
  • ✓ Six Sigma 45%
  • Lean 45%
  • ✓ Supplier quality 36%
  • ISO 9001 36%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for MSA / Gage R&R, EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 2+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Lifts up to 25 lbs

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Coherent

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
    • How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
    • The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Coherent in Newark

6 other open roles at this site.

Full description from CoherentAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Partner with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, and R&D teams to improve product quality, process capability, and manufacturing performance
  • ◆Spend significant time on the manufacturing floor investigating quality issues, observing processes, and identifying opportunities for improvement
  • ◆Develop and implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods and process monitoring strategies
  • ◆Lead root cause investigations and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions
  • ◆Conduct process capability studies and utilize statistical tools to improve process performance
  • ◆Develop and maintain Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEA), Control Plans, and risk mitigation strategies
  • ◆Develop statistically sound sampling plans for incoming materials, in-process inspections, and finished products
  • ◆Support qualification, inspection, and acceptance activities for raw materials and powders
  • ◆Evaluate powder characteristics including TPD, particle geometry, morphology, and other critical material attributes
  • ◆Develop and improve inspection methods, measurement systems, and metrology techniques
  • ◆Support incoming material qualification and supplier approval activities
  • ◆Work directly with suppliers to improve material quality, resolve quality issues, and implement corrective actions
  • ◆Conduct supplier audits and supplier quality assessments as required
  • ◆Support customer quality activities including corrective actions, complaint investigations, and customer communications
  • ◆Analyze quality data and communicate trends, risks, and improvement opportunities to leadership and cross-functional teams
  • ◆Participate in new product introduction, process transfer, and manufacturing scale-up activities
  • ◆Support and maintain the Quality Management System in accordance with applicable standards and procedures

Education & Experience

  • ✓Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Quality Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field
  • ✓Minimum 2 years of Quality Engineering experience within a manufacturing environment
  • ✓Experience applying SPC, Process Capability Analysis, FMEA, and Six Sigma methodologies
  • ✓Experience leading root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions
  • ✓Experience working with manufacturing teams in a production environment
  • ✓Experience interacting with suppliers and managing supplier quality issues

Requirements

  • ✓Strong understanding of quality engineering principles and methodologies
  • ✓Working knowledge of SPC, DOE, process capability analysis, sampling plans, and statistical methods
  • ✓Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
  • ✓Ability to effectively interpret and analyze technical data
  • ✓Strong understanding of process control and risk management concepts
  • ✓Ability to challenge assumptions and influence decisions through data and technical reasoning
  • ✓Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • ✓Demonstrated ability to achieve results independently and within cross-functional teams
  • ✓Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
  • ✓Experience with quality management systems and ISO-based manufacturing environments
  • ✓Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality data analysis tools
  • ✓Ability to build effective relationships with operators, supervisors, engineers, suppliers, and customers

Working Conditions

This is an in-person position at our Newark, DE site

Office and manufacturing floor environment with regular interaction with production processes, inspection equipment, manufacturing personnel, suppliers, and customers.

Physical

Requirements

  • ✓Ability to occasionally lift/push/pull up to 25 lbs.
  • ✓Able to sit, stand, bend, squat, and walk throughout the facility
  • ✓Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment and laboratory instrumentation

Safety

Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.

Quality & Environmental

Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and

responsibilities

within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust

C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Show full description ↓

Preferred

  • +Experience with powder materials, advanced ceramics, thermal processing, or advanced manufacturing technologies
  • +Experience with incoming material qualification and supplier development
  • +Experience with Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)
  • +Experience developing sampling plans and inspection strategies
  • +Experience supporting process transfers and manufacturing scale-up activities
  • +CQE certification
  • +Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification

Skills & Other

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