5-7 years of experience in supplier quality, NPI, or manufacturing engineering.
Familiarity with quality management system tools and standards.
Proven problem-solving skills in dynamic settings.
Strong communication abilities for cross-functional collaboration.
Experience in hardware, climate tech, or industrial systems.
Responsibilities
Architect and implement key supplier management systems for quality control.
Develop and scale a resilient supplier network meeting cost and quality targets.
Lead supplier qualification processes and technical assessments.
Enforce technical and quality standards for new product introduction and production.
Partner with engineering teams to clarify supplier requirements.
Manage supplier issue resolution from non-conformance to corrective action plans.
Conduct performance audits and initiate corrective actions as necessary.
Benefits
Work on impactful global water security issues.
Contribute to breakthrough technology in climate resilience.
Gain early ownership in a fast-growing startup.
Join a mission-driven team in a dynamic environment.
Build long-term career equity as the company expands.
Full Job Description
Mission
Build the supplier network behind a field deployable water system. Architect quality and reliability into the supply chain from day one and help turn a prototype into a product that can scale anywhere.
What You'll Do
Architect and implement core supplier management systems to ensure traceability, accountability, and quality control
Develop and scale a high performing, resilient supplier network aligned with cost, capacity, delivery, and quality targets
Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, and technical assessments, including DFM reviews, process flow validation, and QMS audits
Define and enforce technical and quality standards across new product introduction (NPI) and production
Partner with internal engineering teams to ensure suppliers fully understand and can meet tight part, assembly, and metrology requirements
Own the lifecycle of supplier issues from non-conformance reports (SDRs) to CAPAs, RTVs, and production quality investigations
Collaborate directly with vendors to solve recurring issues and drive process-level improvements
Conduct performance audits and risk reviews, implementing corrective actions where needed
Provide on-site technical support as needed to ensure supplier processes are dialed for manufacturability, stability, and spec compliance
Monitor supplier metrics and trend data to proactively mitigate risks and improve operational performance
Source and evaluate new suppliers with unique capabilities in materials, fabrication, and metrology
Build and enforce scalable supplier governance and escalation frameworks from scratch
Thrive in ambiguity build process where none exists, and push for excellence where it does
What We're Looking For
Required:
Bachelor's in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial or equivalent).
Hands on mindset: comfortable designing the process and also working with operators & equipment to validate and refine.
Strong problem solving skills, ability to operate in ambiguous/higher-growth environment, clear communicator across teams.
Experience in supplier quality, NPI, or manufacturing engineering in hardware, climate tech, or industrial systems
Familiarity with QMS tools and standards (e.g., ISO 9001, PPAP, FAI, Cpk, PFMEA)
Preferred:
Excellent communication and problem solving skills in fast-paced, cross-functional environments
A track record of owning hard problems end-to-end and getting things done under real-world constraints
A builder's mindset and a systems-level view of manufacturing
Experience in a hardware startup or mission-driven organization.
Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation)
Hands on work on development and production hardware.
Long periods of standing, crouching and walking.
Lifting up to 50 lbs.
Wearing required PPE (safety glasses, gloves, safety shoes) in production areas. Vital Lyfe will provide or reimburse required PPE, including safety shoes
Why Join Vital Lyfe?
Work on high impact problems with global relevance
Help scale breakthrough technology in water security and climate resilience
Early ownership in a high growth, engineering led startup
Join a tight knit, mission driven team in a fast paced environment
Build long term career equity as we grow
Location Requirement: Ability to work 100% onsite in Torrance, CA (remote or hybrid work will not be considered)
