Principal Quality Engineer at Penumbra (Alameda, CA)
Penumbra· Alameda, CA·
Role details
Job description
General Summary As a Principal Quality Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader driving quality improvement across Operations. You will apply deep analytical expertise to strengthen process capability, optimize inspection and monitoring systems, and elevate quality performance through structured continuous improvement methodologies. This role requires structured Quality Engineering approaches, strong engineering analysis and methodologies, statistical experience, and the ability to architect scalable Quality Engineering systems that prevent defects, reduce variation, and enhance long‑term manufacturing robustness. You will influence quality strategy, develop new approaches to systemic quality challenges, and champion a culture of operational excellence across the organization. Working cross‑functionally with Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Leadership, and R&D, you will ensure that quality is proactively designed into processes, risks are systematically mitigated, and improvement opportunities are identified and executed with rigor.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities Lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing Cost of Poor Quality, improving process capability, and strengthening Critical to Quality performance across manufacturing operations.
What We Offer
- A collaborative teamwork environment where learning is constant, and performance is rewarded.
- The opportunity to be part of the team that is revolutionizing the treatment of some of the world's most devastating diseases.
- A generous benefits package for eligible employees that includes medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid parental leave, eleven paid company holidays per year, a minimum of fifteen days of accrued vacation per year, which increases with tenure, and paid sick time in compliance with applicable law(s).
Penumbra, Inc., headquartered in Alameda, California, is a global healthcare company focused on innovative therapies. Penumbra designs, develops, manufactures, and markets novel products and has a broad portfolio that addresses challenging medical conditions in markets with significant unmet need. Penumbra sells its products to hospitals and healthcare providers primarily through its direct sales organization in the United States, most of Europe, Canada, and Australia, and through distributors in select international markets. The Penumbra logo is a trademark of Penumbra, Inc.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
If you reside in the State of California, please also refer to Penumbra's Privacy Notice for California Residents.
For additional information on Penumbra’s commitment to being an equal opportunity employer, please see Penumbra's AAP Policy Statement.
Why work at Penumbra
- Purpose‑driven mission: Employees directly contribute to saving lives and improving outcomes for patients with neurological and vascular diseases.
- Culture of innovation: “High‑powered innovation, cooperation, and fun” as described on the careers page; emphasis on meaningful work and collaboration. penumbrainc.com
- Global but tight‑knit: HQ in Alameda (San Francisco Bay Area) with offices in Europe and South America; employees appreciate reverse commute and public transit options. penumbrainc.com
- Growth opportunities: Rapidly growing headcount (over 4,700 employees) and expanding into new markets mean internal mobility and advancement.
- Engineering & manufacturing focus: Large technical workforce (R&D, quality, manufacturing engineering) with on‑site roles in Roseville and Alameda; many of the 64 open positions are engineering‑related. jobs.lever.co
- Work policy: Most roles appear to be on‑site (e.g., Manufacturing Engineer, R&D Engineer); no explicit remote policy disclosed, but the company provides reasonable accommodation for disabilities.