Supplier Quality Engineer

Role Overview and Responsibilities

Introduction

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and compliance of externally sourced materials, components, assemblies, and special processes used in the manufacture of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) for aerospace, defense, medical device, and industrial applications. The SQE works closely with suppliers, Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and customers to drive supplier performance, mitigate risk, ensure regulatory compliance, and support continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

This position serves as the primary quality interface between the organization and its suppliers, ensuring adherence to customer, regulatory, industry, and company requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Supplier Quality Management
Manage supplier quality performance through scorecards, KPIs, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Conduct supplier qualification, onboarding, and approval activities.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities, quality systems, manufacturing processes, and risk profiles.
• Develop and maintain Approved Supplier Lists (ASL).
• Lead periodic supplier performance reviews and business reviews.
• Monitor supplier quality metrics including:
• Defective Parts Per Million (DPPM)
• On-time corrective actions
• On-time delivery
• Supplier audit scores

Supplier Audits

Plan and perform supplier audits including:

• Quality Management System audits (i.e. AS9100, ISO 9001)
• Process audits
• Product audits
• Special process audits
• Document audit findings and verify effective closure of corrective actions.

Supplier Corrective Actions
Lead Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARS).

• Escalate recurring supplier issues through management review processes.

Incoming and Component Quality

• Support incoming inspection requirements for electronic and mechanical components.
• Analyze supplier-related nonconformances and trends.
• Collaborate with Receiving Inspection, Manufacturing Quality, and Supply Chain teams to resolve supplier quality issues through the Quality Concern (QC) process.
• Determine and support containment actions for nonconforming materials.

Risk Management

• Assess and mitigate supplier quality risks.
• Participate in supplier risk assessment and contingency planning.
• Support supplier development efforts for strategic suppliers.

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Language Ability: Excellent communication both written and verbal. Ability to read and analyze datasheets, industry standards, correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports, Quality plans, Inspection guides, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers, and Team Members. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions. The individual must possess strong skills in grammar and proofreading.
• Math Ability: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, percentages, statistical data, trends as appropriate to the essential responsibilities.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to collect data, solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to maintain a professional and positive image in any situation using good judgment.
• Computer Skills: Ability to use office software, including Word processing, spreadsheets, databases, slide presentations, internet browsers, e-mail, and business systems software.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Although, this role may provide quality direction to Team Members/personnel.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related quality discipline. Five (5) years plus of experience preferred.
• Experience working within regulated manufacturing environments supporting aerospace, defense, medical device, or high-reliability industries.
• Experience with PCBA manufacturing preferred.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and supplier performance management.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• AS9100 or similar QMS Internal Auditor certification preferred.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Walking and Standing: Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk throughout manufacturing and office environments.
• Extended Sitting: Extended periods of computer use for data analysis, reporting, documentation, and communication.
• Manual Dexterity: Regular use of hands and fingers to handle and inspect printed circuit boards, components, and measuring instruments.
• Manual Handling: Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving of materials, documents, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Travel: Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to visually inspect PCBs, assemblies, and documentation, including close vision, color differentiation, and attention to fine detail.
• Work Environment: Exposure to typical manufacturing conditions, including noise, equipment vibration, chemicals, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) environments, with required use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The Individual must be able to maintain confidentiality and have good judgment. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions A pleasant professional image is always expected. Candidate is expected to exhibit high ethical standards and promote the same within the company.

Safety is a core responsibility of this position. Team members are expected to perform all job duties in accordance with company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and established procedures. This includes wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE), participating in safety training, immediately reporting unsafe conditions or incidents, and stopping work when unsafe conditions exist. All employees are responsible for maintaining a safe, clean, and organized work environment and for actively contributing to the prevention of workplace injuries and accidents.

Location: 100 % onsite in Greater Cleveland, Ohio

This is position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines as a U.S. Citizen, U.S Permanent Resident (i.e "Green card Holder"), Political Asylee, or Refugee.