Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Summary/Overview

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) ensures that products and materials from suppliers meet quality standards. This role evaluates and selects suppliers, develops quality assurance protocols, conducts audits, and monitors performance metrics. This role resolves quality issues, collaborates on continuous improvement initiatives, and trains suppliers on quality processes. This role is vital in maintaining supply chain integrity, preventing defects, and ensuring the reliability and safety of the final product.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Interface with engineering disciplines and with customers and suppliers on quality related issues.
• Lead Material Review Board (MRB) and corrective action teams.
• Drive for continuous improvement with our Suppliers.
• Design or specify inspection and testing mechanisms and equipment.
• Perform necessary tests with equipment and effectively document test results.
• Formulate or assist in the preparation, review, and approval (if applicable) of quality documents such as plans, policies, procedures, and reports.
• Participate in and/or perform various audits along with compiling corresponding reports when required.
• Manage customer, supplier, and internal communications in a timely and professional manner, ensuring they are handled as required.
• Provide support relative to the collection and analysis of quality data.
• Document and report concerns via internal tracking methods including but not limited to nonconformance records.
• Ensure both customer and regulatory requirements are met.
• Interpret engineering drawings and specifications, customer quality requirements, and company quality requirements to ensure compliance with the customer’s expectations.
• Perform Root Cause Corrective Action utilizing disciplined methodologies such as 8D to ensure effectiveness.
• Witness and audit the building and testing of product as needed at supplier sites.
• Perform risk analyses and implement associated mitigations.
• Assemble and verify Supplier PPAP submissions for acceptance as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

• Familiarity with ISO standards and compliance requirements.
• Awareness of engineering change processes and documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication with vendors and internal teams.
• Time management and organizational skills.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• ASQ (American Society for Quality) Certified Supplier Quality Engineer is preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in reading and interpreting technical documents, including prints (GD&T), drawings, and engineering orders.
• Minimum of 1 year of Quality experience working in manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 1 year working directly with Customers or Suppliers on Quality related issues.
• Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) experience is highly preferred, including associated tools such as characteristics matrices, process flow diagrams, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEAs), Control Plans, Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).