Supplier Development EngineerDepartment: Quality
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hawthorne, California
Compensation: $157,000 - $177,000 / year
DescriptionThe best products are built by exceptional suppliers. As a Supplier Development Engineer, you'll be responsible for developing and scaling the manufacturing partners that make our missions possible.
Every supplier is an extension of our factory. The work you do will directly influence product quality, production rate, schedule execution, and mission success. You'll spend time on supplier floors, in manufacturing cells, reviewing processes, solving production challenges and working side by side with suppliers and internal teams to proactively identify and remove constraints before they impact production. You'll own problems, move quickly and help leave every supplier stronger than you found it. This position will report to the Quality Engineering Manager.
If you're energized by solving difficult manufacturing problems, building relationships, and making an impact, we'd love to meet you!
What you'll do:- Own supplier performance across quality, delivery, manufacturing readiness, capacity, and continuous improvement
- Lead supplier assessments, process reviews, production readiness activities, and on-site supplier development
- Partner with suppliers to improve manufacturing capability, reduce variation, and increase production efficiency
- Lead root cause investigations and drive corrective and preventive actions
- Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Inspection to resolve technical and production issues
- Identify supplier risks, develop mitigation plans, and support production continuity
- Support new product introductions, supplier qualifications, process transfers, and production ramp activities
- Analyze supplier performance data to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making
- Travel to supplier facilities as needed to evaluate processes, verify progress, and support supplier development
What you'll bring:Basic Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in a related STEM field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- Experience in supplier quality, supplier development, manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, operations, or a related technical field
- Experience manufacturing processes such as machining, fabrication, welding, composites, castings, electronics, assemblies, or special processes
Preferred Qualifications- Experience working with suppliers in aerospace, defense, automotive, medical device, or other high-performance manufacturing environments
- Experience supporting new product introductions, supplier qualifications, or production ramp activities
- Experience analyzing supplier performance metrics or manufacturing data to drive improvements
- Experience with quality management systems, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), or supplier audits
- Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing or production environment
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and manufacturing documentation
- Experience using structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to resolve manufacturing or quality issues
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Additional Requirements- Ability to travel up to 50% (domestic and international)
Benefits and Perks- Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Equity ownership in the company
- Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Flexible PTO and parental leave
- Home office set up reimbursement
- Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
- Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
