Subcontract Engineer

Role & responsibilities

Senior Subcontract Engineer

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Senior Subcontract Engineer with extensive expertise in machine manufacturing, capital equipment and subcontract operations management. The role is responsible for developing and managing a robust subcontracting ecosystem for fabrication, machining, welding, and assembly activities while ensuring optimal cost, quality, capacity utilization, and on-time delivery.

The ideal candidate will play a key role in supplier development, strategic sourcing, manufacturing coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives to support the organization's growth and operational excellence objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vendor Development & Management

• Identify, evaluate, develop, and onboard strategic subcontractors for fabrication, machining, welding, sheet metal, surface treatment, and assembly operations.
• Establish long-term supplier partnerships to support business growth and capacity expansion.
• Lead supplier capability assessments, technical audits, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Develop supplier performance scorecards and drive continuous improvement programs.

Subcontract Manufacturing Management

• Manage end-to-end subcontract manufacturing activities for fabricated, machined, and assembled components.
• Ensure subcontractors adhere to engineering specifications, quality standards, and delivery commitments.
• Monitor production schedules and proactively resolve capacity, resource, and delivery challenges.
• Coordinate closely with production, planning, engineering, quality, and project teams to meet customer commitments.

Cost Optimization & Commercial Excellence

• Lead RFQ processes, techno-commercial evaluations, and contract negotiations.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through value engineering, alternative sourcing, process optimization, and localization strategies.
• Analyze manufacturing costs and identify productivity improvement opportunities across the supplier base.
• Establish annual cost-saving targets and support sourcing strategies for critical commodities.

Supplier Quality & Compliance

• Ensure subcontractors maintain required quality systems and manufacturing standards.
• Lead resolution of supplier quality issues through root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Conduct periodic supplier audits to ensure compliance with quality, safety, and operational requirements.
• Improve supplier quality performance through capability enhancement initiatives.

Capacity Planning & Risk Management

• Assess supplier manufacturing capacities and create contingency sourcing plans.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies for critical suppliers and supply chain disruptions.
• Monitor subcontractor workload distribution and optimize resource utilization.
• Support new product introduction activities through supplier readiness and capability validation.

Technical Leadership

• Review engineering drawings, fabrication details, machining requirements, welding standards, BOMs, and manufacturing specifications.
• Provide technical guidance to suppliers on manufacturability, process improvements, and cost-effective production methods.
• Collaborate with engineering teams on design optimization and fabrication feasibility studies.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Mentor junior subcontract engineers and procurement team members.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Present supplier performance, cost-saving initiatives, and risk assessments to senior management.
• Lead strategic sourcing and supplier development projects.

Preferred candidate profile

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10-15+ years of experience in subcontract management, supplier development, and manufacturing operations.

Preferred Industry Experience

Candidates must have significant experience in one or more of the following industries:

• Machinery Manufacturing
• Capital Equipment Manufacturing
• Heavy Engineering
• Industrial Machinery
• Material Handling Equipment
• Special Purpose Machines (SPM)
• Process Equipment
• Automation Systems
• Heavy Fabrication and Structural Manufacturing
• Crane & Hoist Manufacturing

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in:

• Precision Machining

• Welding Processes & Standards

• Sheet Metal Fabrication

• Structural Steel Fabrication

• Mechanical Assemblies

• Surface Treatment & Painting

• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, lean principles, and supplier quality systems.

• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent.

• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel and supplier performance analytics.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Sourcing
• Supplier Development
• Commercial Negotiation
• Cost Reduction & Value Engineering
• Capacity Planning
• Supply Chain Risk Management
• Leadership & Team Development
• Stakeholder Management
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Supplier Quality Performance (PPM / Rejection Reduction)
• Annual Cost Savings Achievement
• Vendor Capacity Utilization Improvement
• Supplier Lead Time Reduction
• Successful Supplier Development Projects