Supplier Quality Engineer- MecahnicalPosition SummaryThe Supplier Quality Engineer - Mechanical owns the quality of mechanical equipment, fabrications, and components purchased for PowerFLX packages and turnkey power plants, from supplier qualification through Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and release for shipment.
This is a hands-on, supplier-facing role. The SQE - Mechanical reviews and approves Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), witnesses and executes FATs and functional testing, and holds suppliers accountable to specification, schedule, and corrective action. The role runs a standing cadence of supplier quality and progress reviews so issues are caught at the supplier, not at receiving or on site
Reports To: VP Sourcing
Work Location: 300 Executive Center Dr, Suite 101, Greenville SC, 29615 ; 8310 McHard Road, Houston, TX 77053 ; 2001 Proenergy Blvd, Sedalia, MO 65301 or Remote United States
Equipment ScopePurchased mechanical equipment, components, and materials supporting PowerFLX packages built in Sedalia and turnkey power plant balance of plant:
- Raw steel, plate, structural shapes, and outsourced fabrications supporting in-house package fabrication
- Auxiliary skid, lube oil, fuel gas, and power augmentation (hydraulic and fogging) systems; pumps, valves, and actuators
- Exhaust stacks, silencers, SCR/CO catalyst, and ammonia systems
- Air inlet filtration, anti-icing and winterization equipment; heat exchangers, coolers, and pressure vessels; piping spools
Position ResponsibilitiesSupplier Oversight and Review Cadence- Review cadence: Own and chair a standing quality and progress review with each assigned supplier. Set frequency by risk (weekly for critical or underperforming suppliers, biweekly or monthly for stable suppliers). Publish action items and hold owners to dates.
- Schedule progression: Track supplier manufacturing progress against milestone schedules and promised ship dates. Escalate slippage and quality risk to Project Management and Supply Chain before it impacts delivery.
- Vendor visits: Plan and conduct on-site visits at key production stages: pre-production kickoff, in-process inspection, and pre-FAT readiness review.
- Surveillance plan: Maintain a risk-ranked supplier surveillance plan. Increase review and visit frequency when supplier performance declines.
ITP, FAT, and Mechanical Testing- ITP ownership: Review, comment on, and approve supplier ITPs, test procedures, and quality plans. Set hold, witness, and review points aligned to purchase order requirements and applicable codes.
- Contractual requirements: Flow inspection and test requirements into purchase orders and technical specifications so quality is contractual, not assumed.
- FAT execution: Witness and, when required, execute FATs on skids, packages, and rotating equipment. Confirm test setup, gauge and instrument calibration, and acceptance criteria before testing starts.
- Mechanical tests: Witness and evaluate hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure tests, leak tests, mechanical run tests, vibration and noise testing, performance testing, and oil flushing and cleanliness verification (ISO 4406).
- Functional testing: Perform and verify skid functional checks: valve stroke and instrument checks, pump and motor rotation, control and permissive sequences, and alarm and trip setpoints.
- Welding and NDE: Review WPS, PQR, and welder qualifications. Witness fit-up and visual weld inspection. Review NDE results (VT, PT, MT, UT, RT) against code acceptance criteria.
- Dimensional and material verification: Verify dimensions and GD&T to drawing, including interface dimensions (flanges, nozzles, bolt patterns). Review mill test reports and traceability; witness PMI and hardness testing where specified.
- Coatings and preservation: Inspect surface preparation and coatings (profile, DFT, holiday testing) and verify shipping preservation.
- Release for shipment: Issue FAT reports, punch lists, and release-for-shipment approvals. No equipment ships with open quality holds unless formally dispositioned. Verify data books are complete, including ASME data reports and nameplates, pressure test charts, NDE reports, and calibration records.
Nonconformance and Corrective Action- Issue and manage Nonconformance Reports (NCRs) and Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs). Lead root cause analysis with suppliers (8D, 5-Why, fishbone) and verify corrective actions are effective before closure.
- Disposition supplier nonconformances with Engineering (use-as-is, rework, repair, reject). Track cost of poor quality and recover it from the supplier where applicable.
- Support manufacturing, site, and commissioning teams on quality escapes traced to suppliers. Close the loop with the supplier to prevent recurrence.
Supplier Qualification, Audits, and Development- Perform pre-award capability assessments and supplier audits against ISO 9001 and PROENERGY Supplier Quality requirements.
- Approve supplier First Article Inspections (FAI) and fixed process changes. Enforce supplier change control to engineering standards.
- Maintain quarterly supplier scorecards (quality, on-time delivery, responsiveness) for the Preferred Supplier List. Drive improvement plans for underperforming suppliers.
- Establish, monitor, and report supplier quality KPIs to Engineering, Supply Chain, and leadership.
- Evaluate and qualify new suppliers, materials, and components with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain.
Cross-Functional Leadership- Serve as the mechanical quality technical interface between suppliers, Engineering, Supply Chain, Project Management, Manufacturing, and Commissioning.
- Interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, isometrics, and specifications with supplier technical teams.
- Manage implementation of specification and design changes at suppliers.
- Serve as a member of the Internal Audit Team and support continuous improvement of the Supplier Quality System.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology. An equivalent combination of technical training and 8+ years of directly relevant hands-on experience will be considered.
- 5+ years in supplier quality, source inspection, or QA/QC for fabricated, packaged, or rotating mechanical equipment in power generation, oil and gas, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
- Demonstrated experience witnessing or performing FATs on skids, pressure vessels, or rotating equipment.
- Hands-on proficiency with measurement and inspection tools: calipers, micrometers, bore and height gauges, thread gauges, DFT gauges, and torque tools. Ability to interpret CMM and laser tracker reports.
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, isometrics, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and weld symbols (AWS A2.4).
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally 50% to 75%.
- Must be fluent in English, with strong speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension skills
- US work authorization is a precondition of employment. The company will not consider candidates who require sponsorship for a work-authorized visa.
- Candidate must also pass a State and Federal criminal history/security background check and pre-employment drug screen.
Desired Qualifications:- Experience with aeroderivative or industrial gas turbine packages (LM6000 packages a plus) or power plant balance of plant equipment.
- Knowledge of ASME BPVC Sections V, VIII, and IX; ASME B31.1 and B31.3; AWS D1.1; API 610, 614, 617, and 618; and SSPC / ISO 8501 coating standards.
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI); API SIFE (Fixed Equipment) or SIRE (Rotating Equipment) Source Inspector certification.
- ASNT Level II in one or more NDE methods.
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher; working use of FMEA, control plans, and 8D.
- Experience with ERP and quality management systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and MS Office Suite.
Key Performance Measures:- ITPs approved before start of manufacturing on all critical-path mechanical equipment.
- Attendance at all designated FAT witness and hold points.
- Supplier quality escapes reaching PROENERGY receiving, site, or commissioning, trending down.
- NCR and SCAR closure cycle time.
- On-time delivery performance for assigned suppliers.
- Supplier review cadence held as scheduled; scorecards issued on time each quarter.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements:- Work is performed in supplier factories, fabrication shops, test stands, and manufacturing floors, as well as office settings.
- Exposure to pressure testing, rotating equipment, welding, and heavy lifts. Must follow site safety procedures and wear required PPE.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, climb ladders and platforms, work at heights, enter confined spaces, and lift up to 50 lbs.
- Extended workdays and weekend travel during FAT campaigns and critical deliveries.
