Supplier Quality Engineer - Manufacturing

Role Summary

The Site Supplier Quality Engineer is the on-the-ground owner of supplier quality for an assigned manufacturing site, with a strong emphasis on the site's electromechanical and electronic component supply base. This role manages day-to-day supplier issues, leads root cause and corrective action activities, supports new product introduction (NPI), and executes the audit and qualification programs defined by the Center of Excellence. Given the site's product mix, this role requires a working electronics background to effectively evaluate component-level nonconformances, PCBA/EMS supplier processes, and electrical test/inspection data.

Key Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day supplier quality management for the site's critical/major-tier suppliers, including electronic component, PCBA, and electromechanical assembly suppliers.
• Lead containment, root cause investigation, and corrective action (SCAR) for supplier-related nonconformances, with particular attention to electrical/electronic failure modes (e.g., solder defects, component tolerance issues, firmware/test escapes).
• Review and disposition incoming inspection escalations for electronic and electromechanical components, partnering with Manufacturing Engineering and Test Engineering as needed.
• Execute the site's risk-based supplier audit plan, including on-site and remote audits of electronics/EMS suppliers, per CoE-defined checklists and schedules.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by qualifying new component and contract manufacturing suppliers, including review of first-article inspection, PPAP, and electrical test data.
• Apply the CoE's risk-tiering framework to the site's local supplier base and flag suppliers for re-tiering when performance or criticality changes.
• Lead or participate in supplier-facing reviews (e.g., local supplier visits, containment discussions) for site-specific issues, escalating to the CoE for cross-site or systemic concerns.
• Maintain site-level supplier quality records, feed performance data into the central scorecard/dashboard system, and report trends to the CoE.
• Partner with Procurement, Manufacturing, and Design Engineering at the site to resolve component and supplier-driven quality issues affecting production.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, or Component/Manufacturing Engineering, with direct exposure to electronic or electromechanical components or assemblies.
• Working knowledge of electronics manufacturing processes (e.g., SMT, PCBA, soldering standards such as IPC-A-610/J-STD-001) and ability to interpret electrical schematics, test reports, and component datasheets.
• Experience conducting root cause analysis (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, fishbone) for supplier-related nonconformances, including component-level failures.
• Experience supporting or leading supplier audits, including EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services) or component suppliers.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with Manufacturing, Test Engineering, Procurement, and Design Engineering.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience qualifying or auditing contract manufacturers for electronic subassemblies or finished electronic medical devices.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP).
• Experience with electrical test equipment and data (e.g., ICT, functional test, boundary scan) as applied to supplier quality investigations.

Key Performance Indicators

• Site-level supplier defect rate (PPM), with focus on electronic/electromechanical component categories.
• SCAR closure cycle time for site-owned suppliers.
• On-time completion of the site's risk-based supplier audit plan.
• Incoming inspection escalation rate and disposition cycle time.
• NPI supplier qualification cycle time and first-pass qualification success rate.