Senior Sustaining Engineer

Location: Scotts Valley, CA (Onsite)
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Director of Engineering / Engineering Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About Digital Dynamics Inc.

Digital Dynamics Inc. (DDI) is a 100% employee-owned technology company specializing in precision motion control, automation, and advanced electromechanical systems for the semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing industries. As an ESOP organization, we empower every employee-owner to think and act like an owner—driving accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the business.

Position Summary

The Senior Sustaining Engineer plays a critical role in maintaining, improving, and extending the life of DDI’s released products. This role serves as a technical leader responsible for resolving complex product issues, driving design improvements, supporting manufacturing and supply chain, and ensuring product reliability, quality, and cost effectiveness throughout the product lifecycle.

This position partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Test, and Customer Support, while providing mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers.

Key Responsibilities

Product Sustaining & Technical Leadership

Own sustaining engineering activities for released products, including issue resolution, design updates, and product enhancements
Serve as the technical escalation point for complex field, manufacturing, and customer-reported issues
Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
Lead failure analysis investigations and reliability improvements

Design Changes & Documentation

Develop and review Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), deviations, and product updates
Ensure accurate documentation, including drawings, BOMs, specifications, and work instructions
Maintain product compliance with internal standards, customer requirements, and regulatory needs

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Support

Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to improve yield, throughput, and test effectiveness
Support supplier qualification, component obsolescence mitigation, and second-source strategies
Evaluate cost-reduction opportunities without compromising quality or performance

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Quality on audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
Support Customer Service and Applications teams with technical expertise and customer communications
Interface with New Product Introduction (NPI) teams to ensure smooth handoff from development to sustaining

Mentorship & Process Improvement

Mentor and guide junior and mid-level engineers
Contribute to standardization of engineering processes, tools, and best practices
Promote an employee-owner mindset through accountability, ownership, and collaboration

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
8+ years of engineering experience, including sustaining or lifecycle support of complex products
Strong experience with electro-mechanical systems and high-reliability products
Proven expertise in root cause analysis, failure analysis, and corrective action implementation
Experience working cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams
Proficiency with engineering documentation, ECO processes, and PLM/ERP systems
Excellent communication skills and ability to lead technical discussions

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in semiconductor capital equipment or high-tech manufacturing environments
Familiarity with regulatory and quality systems (ISO, customer audits, industry standards)
Experience supporting products through long lifecycle and end-of-life transitions
Prior leadership or mentoring experience

Why Join DDI

DDI is committed to diversity in its workforce, including Equal Employment Opportunity for Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

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