Principal Quality Engineer

Astera Labs (NASDAQ: ALAB) provides rack-scale AI infrastructure through purpose-built connectivity solutions. By collaborating with hyperscalers and ecosystem partners, Astera Labs enables organizations to unlock the full potential of modern AI. Astera Labs’ Intelligent Connectivity Platform integrates CXL®, Ethernet, NVLink, PCIe®, and UALink™ semiconductor-based technologies with the company’s COSMOS software suite to unify diverse components into cohesive, flexible systems that deliver end-to-end scale-up, and scale-out connectivity. The company’s custom connectivity solutions business complements its standards-based portfolio, enabling customers to deploy tailored architectures to meet their unique infrastructure requirements. Discover more at www.asteralabs.com.

Role Overview

As Principal Quality Engineer based in Aachen, you are the technical authority for quality across our optical product line and regional quality lead for European operations. You will bridge HQ (San Jose) and the Aachen manufacturing site, drive quality integration for in-house optical manufacturing, lead supplier quality for regional semiconductor and optical vendors, and support Asia-based RMA activities for in-region products. 

Key Responsibilities

• Quality‑System Integration: Lead ISO 9001 alignment between San Jose HQ, Aachen, and other regional locations to harmonize procedures, audit schedules, and corrective action processes across both semiconductor and optical product lines.
• Process Development & Implementation: Design, document, and roll out new quality processes, procedures, and work instructions needed to support emerging photonics products and manufacturing capabilities.
• In‑Process Inspection & Controls: Oversee in‑process inspection activities for the in‑house manufacturing operation, establishing SPC, go/no‑go checkpoints, and real‑time defect‑tracking dashboards.
• Supplier Quality (Optics): Provide technical support and quality assurance for optical‑component and optical‑coating suppliers; conduct supplier audits, and drive corrective‑preventive actions (CAPA).
• Supplier Quality (Semiconductor): Serve as the regional point of contact for semiconductor suppliers, monitoring supplier performance, assisting with supplier audits, and leading issue resolution.
• Product Quality: Core Semiconductor Business – Lead technical investigation of field returns, warranty claims, and reliability failures for semiconductor and optical products; coordinate 8D root-cause analysis and interface with Field Application Engineers (FAEs).
• Cross‑Site Liaison: Act as the primary conduit between the Aachen site, other European/EMEA sites, and the San Jose HQ for quality information exchange, escalation handling, and best‑practice sharing.
• Metrics & Reporting: Define, track, and report key quality KPIs (PPM, DPMO, warranty cost, MTBF, supplier defect rate, etc.) to senior leadership across the BU and corporate HQ.
• Quality Improvement: Lead and demonstrate the application of advanced quality improvement techniques including Lean, Six‑Sigma, and other methods to reduce waste, improve yield, and enhance overall product reliability.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline
• 10+ years of progressive experience in quality engineering, advancing to senior or principal level roles
• Minimum 5 years of experience in semiconductor, photonics, or precision optics manufacturing
• Expert knowledge of ISO 9001 implementation and multi‑site QMS integration
• Advanced expertise in SPC, DOE, MSA, and FMEA (Design & Process)
• Proven experience in supplier quality management, including audits, scorecards, and CAPA/SCAR
• Hands‑on experience with optical metrology tools (interferometry, power meters, spectrometers, alignment systems)
• Fluency in English and German (written and spoken)
• Strong cross‑functional leadership skills with the ability to influence without direct authority
• Excellent technical communication skills for both engineering and executive audiences
• Comfort working with ambiguity in fast‑growing, dynamic environments
• Willingness to travel up to 20–25%, including Asia and North America

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s or PhD in Engineering or a related technical field
• 15+ years of experience with demonstrated leadership in multi‑site or global organizations
• Direct experience with optical module qualification (Telcordia GR‑468)
• Six Sigma Black Belt, ASQ CQE/CQM, Lean, or similar professional certification
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Minitab, JMP, Python, or R
• Familiarity with JEDEC, IPC, and Telcordia reliability standards
• Experience with Industry 4.0 quality tools (AI‑based defect detection, digital twins, automated optical inspection)
• Additional European language proficiency
• Prior people management or leadership of cross‑site quality teams
• Proven track record of presenting to C‑level stakeholders
• Experience in startup or rapid‑scale environments
• Existing relationships within the European optical or semiconductor supply base 

Compensation

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits. Astera Labs is committed to fair and equitable pay practices.

Astera Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

 

We know that creativity and innovation happen more often when teams include diverse ideas, backgrounds, and experiences, and we actively encourage everyone with relevant experience to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities.