About This Role:The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for developing, managing, and continuously improving supplier quality performance to ensure purchased components, materials, and subcontracted processes consistently meet defined quality, reliability, delivery, and regulatory requirements.
Serving as the primary Quality interface between the company, suppliers, subcontractors, Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Operations, this role drives supplier qualification, New Product Introduction (NPI), process validation, corrective actions, supplier performance improvement, and continuous improvement across the supply base.
What You'll Be Working On:- Supplier Quality Management: Own quality performance for assigned suppliers and commodities. Establish and maintain supplier quality requirements, specifications, and quality agreements. Monitor performance using defined KPIs, scorecards, and metrics while identifying risks and mitigation plans. Partner with Procurement and Engineering on supplier selection, development, and exit decisions.
- Supplier Qualification & Development: Participate in supplier qualification and selection. Conduct quality assessments, process audits, capability evaluations, and evaluate manufacturing processes, quality systems, and controls. Develop targeted improvement plans to bridge capability, capacity, and maturity gaps.
- New Product Introduction (NPI): Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and suppliers during NPI. Review drawings, specifications, GD&T, CTQs, PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, MSA, SPC, and inspection plans. Drive DFM/DFA/DFR reviews, lead process validation, approve FAI/FAIR and PPAP submissions, and ensure production ramp readiness.
- Supplier Process & Product Quality: Perform process audits and manufacturing evaluations. Establish inspection and testing requirements based on product risk. Drive implementation of SPC, mistake-proofing, standardized work, and robust process controls, shifting suppliers from inspection-based quality toward prevention-focused quality.
- Nonconformance & Corrective Action: Lead supplier-related nonconformance investigations. Drive containment, root-cause analysis, corrective action, and preventive action (8D, CAPA, RCCA). Verify effectiveness of corrective actions to prevent recurrence and track issues through closure.
- Supplier Audits: Plan and execute risk-based supplier quality audits (process, product, system, special-process). Develop audit findings, oversee corrective-action plans, verify closure, and support internal, customer, and regulatory audits involving suppliers.
- Supplier Performance & Metrics: Develop and maintain quality metrics including incoming defect rates/PPM, NCR rates, FPY, CAPA closure, process capability ($C_p$/$C_{pk}$), COPQ, escape rates, and audit performance. Leverage data to identify systemic trends and continuous improvement opportunities.
- Incoming Quality & Manufacturing Support: Partner with Receiving and Incoming Inspection to establish risk-based inspection requirements, acceptance criteria, and disposition nonconforming materials. Work with Manufacturing Quality to resolve supplier-originating defects and reduce incoming inspection burdens through demonstrated supplier process capability.
- Supplier Change Management: Review and approve supplier process, material, equipment, tooling, location, and sub-tier supplier changes. Ensure appropriate qualification, validation, risk assessment, change control documentation, and traceability before implementation.
- Continuous Improvement: Lead supplier quality improvement projects using Lean Six Sigma and structured problem-solving methodologies. Reduce defects, scrap, rework, and supplier-related COPQ while promoting prevention-focused quality.
What You'll Bring to the Team:- Educational Foundation: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related field.
- Professional Experience: 3+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, Quality Engineering, or a related field, with direct experience working with manufacturing suppliers and subcontractors.
- Core Quality Tool Mastery: Strong knowledge of quality tools and problem-solving methodologies including PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, 8D/RCCA, CAPA, and process audits.
- Engineering & Drawing Literacy: Proven ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, technical specifications, and inspection requirements.
- Analytical & Technical Problem Solving: Strong analytical capabilities to evaluate process capability, statistical data, and complex manufacturing defects.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Operations, and external supply partners.
- Communication & Influence: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external executives.
- Travel Flexibility: Willingness and ability to travel to supplier facilities as required.
- Safety & Compliance: Position is designated a safety-sensitive position located in safety-sensitive facilities. Mandatory participation in company safety, background check, drug, and alcohol programs is required.
Bonus Points:- Professional Certifications: ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP), or similar designation.
- Process Excellence: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Frameworks & Methodologies: Experience with PPAP/APQP and structured automotive or aerospace quality methodologies.
- Specialized Manufacturing Processes: Experience with special processes such as welding, machining, fabrication, casting, forging, sheet metal, coating, or electrical assembly.
- Systems & Data: Experience with ERP/QMS software platforms and supplier quality dashboards.
- Operational Environment: Experience scaling supplier quality in high-growth manufacturing, NPI/ramp environments, or managing strategic subcontractors.
Benefits:- Competitive compensation and equity packages
- Restricted Stock Units
- Paid time off, paid holidays & leave of absence programs
- Comprehensive health, dental & vision insurance
- Employer contributions to HSA account
- Paid parental leave
- Paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
- Professional development & tuition reimbursement
- Mental health & wellness support
- Commuter benefits (parking & transit)
- Cell phone stipend
- 401(k) Retirement plan with company match up to 4% of salary
- Volunteer time off
- Global travel insurance & emergency assistance
- Daily meals allowance
- Additional perks & programs specific to location
Compensation:Compensation will be paid in the range of $100,000 - $115,000 + Bonus. Restricted Stock Units are included in all offers. Compensation to be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
