BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing or Materials Engineering, or equivalent experience
5+ years in supplier quality, supplier development, or new-product introduction in regulated industries
Hands-on experience with APQP and PPAP or FAI approvals
Proficient in structured problem-solving methodologies like 8D and 5-Why
Knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC, and process capability studies
Ability to read engineering drawings and GD&T
Experience leading supplier audits against ISO 9001 or IATF 16949
Strong program management skills with risk tracking and cross-functional reviews
Responsibilities
Assess and qualify new suppliers on capability, quality, capacity, and risk
Run APQP with suppliers, including timing plans and readiness reviews
Drive PPAP approvals by reviewing submissions and witnessing builds
Lead capacity verification at supplier sites to ensure production readiness
Track tooling and fixture build and confirm ownership
Provide design-for-manufacturing feedback to Design Engineering
Maintain a part-level readiness tracker and report status at build gates
Own supplier quality performance for assigned commodities
Manage nonconforming material responses and corrective actions
Issue and manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs)
Conduct supplier audits and close out findings
Define incoming inspection plans and acceptance criteria
Track supplier scorecards and escalate at-risk suppliers
Approve supplier change requests and require re-validation as needed
Lead supplier development projects to enhance process capability
Benefits
Opportunity to shape supplier management processes in a fast-paced startup
Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams
Hands-on involvement in supplier qualification and development
Travel opportunities to engage directly with suppliers
Potential for career growth in a rapidly evolving industry
Full Job Description
Supplier Quality & Readiness Engineer
As a Supplier Quality & Readiness Engineer, you will own purchased parts from sourcing award through steady-state production as we build our vehicles and the factory to produce them at volume. You will work closely with Procurement, Design Engineering and Manufacturing to qualify and launch new suppliers so parts are ready before the line needs them. Then you will keep those suppliers in control by catching problems at the source, driving root cause and corrective action, and raising the capability of the supply base. As an early employee at a fast-moving startup, you will help shape how Parallel builds and manages its supply base.
Responsibilities:
Assess and qualify new suppliers with Procurement, covering capability, quality system, capacity, and operational and financial risk
Run APQP with each supplier, including timing plans, design and process FMEAs, control plans and gated readiness reviews
Drive PPAP (or FAI to AS9102 where applicable) to approval by reviewing submissions, witnessing first-article builds and dispositioning gaps
Lead run-at-rate and capacity verification at supplier sites to prove they can meet the production ramp
Track tooling, gauge and fixture build and buy-off, and confirm tooling ownership and identification
Feed supplier design-for-manufacturing and tolerance feedback to Design Engineering before release
Maintain a part-level readiness tracker and report status and risk at program build gates
Own supplier quality performance for an assigned commodity portfolio (e.g., machined and fabricated structures, castings, electrical harnesses, battery and power electronics, motors and drivetrain)
Lead the response to nonconforming material, including containment, MRB disposition, 8D / root cause and verification that corrective actions work
Issue and manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) and drive them to closure on time
Run supplier process and quality-system audits on site and close out findings
Define incoming inspection plans, sampling levels and acceptance criteria with receiving inspection
Track and report supplier scorecards (PPM, SCAR cycle time, cost of poor quality) and escalate at-risk suppliers
Approve supplier change requests (process, material, site, sub-tier) and require re-validation where needed
Lead supplier development projects to improve process capability (Cpk), error-proofing and control plans
What Success Looks Like:
After 30 Days: You've reviewed every open part, taken over the readiness tracker, and learned our process for nonconforming parts and SCARs. Your tracker covers every assigned part, and you've visited 3-5 critical suppliers.
After 60 Days: You're running APQP reviews with every critical new supplier and have set a PPAP timeline for each part. You own corrective actions for your portfolio, your first supplier scorecard is out, at least 2 audits are complete, and SCARs older than 30 days are cut in half.
After 90 Days: Your first PPAP approvals have landed in time for the next build gate, and at least one critical supplier has proven it can build at rate. A monthly scorecard is running, and no parts in your portfolio have stopped the line.
Basic Qualifications:
BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing or Materials Engineering, or equivalent experience
5+ years of experience in supplier quality, supplier development or new-product introduction in automotive, rail, aerospace, heavy equipment or a similar regulated industry
Hands-on experience running APQP and approving PPAP or FAI packages
Experience with structured problem solving, including 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa and fault-tree analysis
Working knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC and process capability studies
Proficient in reading engineering drawings and GD&T and judging manufacturability
Experience leading supplier audits against ISO 9001 or IATF 16949
Strong program management skills, including timing plans, risk tracking and cross-functional reviews
Willing to travel to supplier sites roughly 30-50% of the time, with heavier travel during launches
Preferred Qualifications:
ASQ CQE or CQA certification, Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, or PMP
Experience launching a new factory or new vehicle program, or working through a rapid production ramp
Process knowledge in one or more of machining, fabrication and welding, castings, injection molding, wire harness, or battery cells and modules
Experience with rail standards (ISO/TS 22163 / IRIS, AAR M-1003) or EV high-voltage components
Familiarity with a QMS or ERP system for NCR and SCAR tracking
We are committed to providing fair and transparent compensation in accordance with applicable laws. Salary ranges are listed below and reflect the expected range for new hires in this role, based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and location. Final compensation may vary and will be determined during the interview process. The target hiring range for this position is listed below.
