Senior Supplier Development Engineer

Position Summary

Lead supplier development activities across a complex or strategic supplier base. Oversee Supplier Launch PPAP documentation, ensure world-class readiness for new product introductions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Serve as a technical expert and mentor for the supplier development team. Partner with engineering, purchasing, quality, and global suppliers to improve cost, quality, delivery, and capability.

Position Responsibilities

• Serve as lead liaison between U.S. project teams and strategic suppliers to ensure flawless execution of development activities.

• Lead Safe Launch readiness for high-risk or high-impact suppliers.

• Evaluate and optimize supplier manufacturing processes, identifying risks and improvement opportunities.

• Provide expert-level assessments of supplier capability, throughput, and OEE capacity modeling.

• Lead supplier quality management system audits (ISO/IATF/AS9100) and oversee closure of findings.

• Lead complex Run @ Rates and validation of process flow, PFMEA, and control plan robustness.

• Oversee supplier assessments, ensuring cross-functional alignment and sustainable closure of open issues.

• Train anddevelopsuppliers and internal teams on PPAP requirements and APQP methodology.

• Lead root-cause analysis and long-term corrective actions for escalated supplier issues impacting production or launches.

• Drive significant cost reduction, DFM collaboration, and strategic improvement initiatives with suppliers.

• Coach and mentor SDE engineers; provide technical guidance and support cross-functional teams.

• Contribute to supplier strategy planning and long-term capability roadmaps.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities

• Advanced understanding of APQP, PPAP, Run @ Rate, and Safe Launch methodologies.

• Expert-level knowledge in at leastthreeof the six Fox manufacturing processes (PrecisionMachining, Forging-Impacts, Plastic Injection Molding, Electronics, Surface Finishes, Assembly).

• Strong analytical skills with ability to model cost, capacity, and process capability.

• Strongknowledge ofGD&T, engineering drawings, tolerance stack-ups, and tooling/process interactions.

• Expertise in ISO/IATF/AS9100 auditing and advanced problem-solving methodologies (6, 8D, PFMEA).

• Demonstrated ability to influence and improve supplier performance on a global scale.

• Strong ability to lead cross-cultural communication and complex negotiations.

• Up to50% domestic and international travel.

Position Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering required

Experience:

• 6+ years of supplier development, supplier quality, or relevant engineering experience

• Demonstrated success leading high-impact supplier improvement initiatives and new product introductions