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Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - Camera

Skydio· Operations
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Hybrid (San Mateo, California, United States)$145k - $219kFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Senior role focusing on quality across the camera supply base (lenses, coatings, actuators, image sensors, ME parts and modules) for Skydio’s optical systems. Collaborates with Product Design, Imaging Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Reliability, and Quality teams to ensure supplier readiness, robust quality planning, and high-volume production for camera modules and optics.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct supplier assessments and on-site audits of camera module, lens, and coating suppliers' quality systems, cleanliness and particle controls, process capability, metrology capability, and production readiness.
  • Partner with Optical, Electrical, Mechanical, Image Quality, and Manufacturing Engineers to ensure quality planning, manufacturability, testability, and supplier readiness for new products and volume production.
  • Influence camera and lens designs early through DFM/DFA reviews, opto-mechanical and statistical tolerance analysis, and design risk assessment.
  • Drive supplier qualification activities including process audits, First Article Inspections (FAI), Production Validation Builds (PVT), and manufacturing readiness reviews.
  • Lead supplier quality planning through prototype, pre-production, and mass production with control plans, PFMEAs, process validations, calibration strategy, and outgoing quality strategies.
  • Own optical end-of-line test strategy at the supplier (MTF/SFR, distortion, field curvature, color and luminance shading, etc.).
  • Drive supplier quality and manufacturing readiness for thermal imaging modules (thermal sensor, infrared optics, calibration, module integration).
  • Manage supplier corrective action requests (SCARs), 8D investigations, containment actions, and root cause analysis.
  • Develop and maintain supplier scorecards and KPIs focused on quality, yield, reliability, and responsiveness.
  • Analyze factory and field quality data to identify trends and mitigate risks across lens fabrication, coating, assembly, sensor attach, and calibration.
  • Validate sustainability of supplier corrective actions for design or process changes across lines and sites.
  • Recommend alternative materials, adhesives, coatings, or processes to improve manufacturability, image performance, or cost.
  • Collaborate with suppliers to implement inspection, test, and process control methodologies for long-term process capability on optically critical dimensions.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Optical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 5+ years in supplier quality, manufacturing, or product engineering for camera modules, lenses, or optical assemblies, including hands-on supplier factory experience.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills; ability to influence cross-functional teams and suppliers.
  • Experience developing and managing camera/optics suppliers across multiple geographies and time zones.
  • Quality engineering experience in high-volume, high-complexity consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, robotics, or similar industries.
  • Familiarity with lens/module manufacturing processes (injection molding, glass lens fabrication, AR/IR coating, assembly, active alignment, curing, sensor attach, wire bond/flip chip, actuator assembly, optical end-of-line testing).
  • In-depth knowledge of image sensors, ISP behavior, and image quality metrics; ability to distinguish optics, sensor, calibration, and tuning issues.
  • Proficiency with optical simulation tools (Zemax preferred, Code V) and independent lens/module characterization.
  • Working knowledge of thermal imaging systems (NUC, NETD, calibration, blackbody verification, etc.).
  • Ability to interpret optical prescriptions, GD&T, ISO 10110, and engineering documentation; communicate technical requirements to suppliers.
  • Proficiency with quality tools (PFMEA, DFMEA, Control Plans, PPAP, 8D, RCA, SPC, Gage R&R, DOE).
  • Experience with statistical analysis and tolerance analysis tools (JMP or Minitab) including Monte Carlo methods.
  • Experience with component qualification, supplier process validation, reliability testing, and failure analysis (thermal cycling, humidity, vibration, etc.).
  • Six Sigma background valued; DFSS desirable.
  • Willingness to travel 20–30% domestically and internationally, sometimes on short notice.
  • FAA Part 107 certification encouraged within 60 days; required for some positions.

Skills

Required:Supplier quality engineeringOptical design and tolerance analysisEnd-of-line optical testingStatistical tools and DOE

Benefits

  • Paid vacation time
  • sick leave
  • holiday pay
  • 401K savings plan
  • Group health insurance plans
Last updated Oct 8, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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