POSITION SUMMARYAs a Supplier Quality Engineer III (Senior) at Sargent, you will work at our Tucson, AZ facility on an onsite schedule and report directly to the Supplier Quality Manager. In this role you will serve as a technical leader responsible for managing and continuously improving supplier quality performance across Sargent's Aerospace & Defense and Marine business units. You will lead complex supplier quality initiatives, support supplier development programs, risk assessments, audits, and corrective action activities to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
The Supplier Quality Engineer III serves as a subject matter expert in supplier quality, applying advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality systems, auditing, risk management, and problem-solving methodologies to improve supplier capability, mitigate supply chain risks, and resolve critical quality issues. This role partners closely with suppliers and cross-functional teams, provides mentorship to junior quality engineers, and supports strategic sourcing and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, reliability, and operational performance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- Lead supplier qualification, approval, surveillance, audits, and performance management activities for strategic and high-risk suppliers.
- Serve as the primary supplier quality authority for assigned Aerospace & Defense and Marine suppliers.
- Lead investigations of supplier escapes, major nonconformances customer complaints, field failures, and systemic quality issues, including MRB support.
- Facilitate advanced root cause analysis and corrective action activities using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fault Tree Analysis, and DMAIC, and verify effectiveness of implemented actions.
- Develop and execute supplier improvement plans focused on quality, delivery, process capability, capacity, and quality system maturity.
- Lead supplier risk assessments and implement proactive risk mitigation strategies to strengthen supplier performance and supply chain resilience.
- Conduct supplier audits and assessments in accordance with AS9100, ISO 9001, customer, military, aerospace, marine, and internal quality requirements.
- Lead supplier APQP and PPAP activities, including manufacturing readiness reviews and approval of PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Capability Studies, FAIRs, and PPAP submissions.
- Analyze supplier quality metrics, audit results, scorecards, and process performance data to identify risks, trends, and improvement opportunities.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Operations, Program Management, and Quality teams to support supplier selection, qualification, strategic sourcing, work transfers, and new product introduction activities.
- Oversee supplier compliance with special process requirements, including welding, heat treating, plating, coatings, NDT, additive manufacturing, and materials testing.
- Mentor Supplier Quality Engineers and lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives to improve supplier capability, reduce defects, and enhance overall operational performance.
- Travel to supplier facilities as necessary to support audits, investigations, supplier development activities, source inspections, and business objectives.
Travel Requirement: Up to 50% travel, primarily domestic, with occasional international travel as needed.
QUALIFICATIONSMinimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field and four (4) years of relevant supplier quality, quality, manufacturing, or engineering experience; or an Associate degree and six (6) years of related experience.
- Demonstrated experience independently leading supplier audits, supplier corrective action programs, and supplier development initiatives.
- Advance working knowledge of First Article Inspection (AS9102), APQP & PPAP (AS9145) methodologies.
- Strong working knowledge of quality management systems including AS9100, ISO 9001, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, military and commercial specifications, contracts, standards, and GD&T requirements.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including machining, assembly, fabrication, castings, forgings, materials processing, and special processes.
- Experience leading root cause investigations utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple suppliers, projects, and priorities with limited supervision.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Ability to analyze supplier performance data and develop effective risk mitigation and improvement strategies.
- Ability to obtain AS9100 Lead Auditor certification within one (1) year of employment if not already certified.
- Ability to travel up to 50%, including local, domestic, and international travel as required.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish (spoken and written).
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Preferred Requirements:
- AS9100 Lead Auditor Certification.
- Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent certification.
- Experience in Aerospace & Defense, Marine, Naval Nuclear, Shipbuilding, DoD, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Advanced knowledge of aerospace, defense, military, and marine customer requirements.
- Experience with special processes including welding, NDT, coatings, plating, heat treatment, brazing, and materials testing. Experience ensuring supplier compliance with military specifications, DFARS/FAR, ITAR/EAR, domestic sourcing, material traceability, and counterfeit parts requirements.
- Experience with hydraulic components, precision machined components, actuators, valves, etc.
- Experience leading supplier quality improvement programs and cross-functional quality initiatives.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and risk-based quality management principles.
- Familiarity with ERP systems, supplier quality software, quality data management systems, new product introduction, supplier transfers, and supply chain risk management.
Skills:
- Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional team collaboration abilities.
- Advanced problem-solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making skills.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and project management capabilities.
- Ability to influence supplier and organizational performance without direct authority.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to balance quality, delivery, cost, and risk.
- High integrity, accountability, professionalism, and commitment to continuous improvement.
