Supplier Development Engineer - AMT

Company Description:

We are a manufacturer of structural parts for the leading original equipment manufacturers (OEM's) in the large business and regional jet markets. Our experience and capabilities span multiple segments of an aircraft, including the engine pylon, struts, wing box, wings, wheel well, and the interior. Our success is based on utilizing proprietary manufacturing techniques to manufacture high quality complex parts through cost effective production.

Given its breadth of capabilities and strong customer relationships, we have substantial content on the aviation industry's most popular aircraft.

Job Description:

The Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for developing and sustaining a high-performing global supply base in support of complex aerospace programs. This role operates within a Tier 1 environment, directly supporting major OEM customers, and is accountable for ensuring suppliers meet stringent quality, delivery, cost, and regulatory requirements across the full product lifecycle.

The SDE acts as a key interface between internal program teams and external suppliers, driving advanced manufacturing capability, production readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives critical to program execution.

What will my responsibilities include?

Strategic Supplier Development

• Lead the development and execution of supplier capability strategies aligned with Tier 1 program requirements and OEM expectations.
• Identify, assess, and onboard suppliers for complex components and assemblies (machining, composites, special processes).
• Perform in-depth technical and operational supplier assessments including capacity, process maturity, and scalability.

Advanced Product & Industrialization Support

• Support New Product Introduction (NPI), rate readiness, and production ramp-ups for key programs.
• Ensure suppliers are fully prepared for production through PPAP (as applicable), and First Article Inspection (FAI) processes.

Supplier Performance & Program Execution

• Own supplier performance, focusing on:
  • Delivery (OTD, lead time, schedule adherence)
  • Cost competitiveness
• Lead supplier recovery efforts and escalation management for at-risk suppliers impacting production or customer commitments.
• Conduct executive-level supplier business reviews and manage continuous improvement roadmaps.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Participate or Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities using structured methodologies (5 Why).
• Support audit readiness and participate in customer and regulatory audits impacting the supply base.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Lead cost reduction and productivity initiatives (VA/VE, should-cost modeling).

Risk Management & Supply Chain Resilience

• Identify and mitigate risks related to capacity constraints, single-source dependencies, financial instability, and geopolitical factors.
• Develop contingency plans, dual sourcing strategies, and capacity expansion initiatives.
• Support crisis management and rapid response to supply chain disruptions.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Program Management, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations to ensure alignment on supplier readiness and performance.
• Influence sourcing decisions through data-driven insights and supplier assessments.
• Act as a technical advisor and escalation point for supplier-related issues across programs.

What key skills and experience do I need?

• Technical depth: Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and production systems.
• Leadership & influence: Ability to drive change across independent supplier organizations.
• Program mindset: Experience managing supplier performance in a high-pressure, schedule-driven environment.
• Analytical rigor: Data-driven decision making with strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Communication: Effective engagement with executive stakeholders and shop-floor teams alike.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in supplier development, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or operations within aerospace or regulated manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of Tier 1 requirements and OEM expectations.
• Expertise in:
  • AS9100 Quality Management Systems
  • APQP, PPAP, FAI (AS9102)
  • Root Cause & Corrective Action (8D, DMAIC)
  • Lean Manufacturing principles
  • MRP
  • EXCELL

Work Environment & Travel:

• Hybrid work environment (office, shop floor, supplier sites).
• Moderate domestic travel (10-15%) to supplier locations.
• Fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Work is generally sedentary in nature, but may require standing and walking for up to 35% of the time. This position may be required to enter the warehouse and/or machine shop environment at times throughout the work day;

this environment may include exposure to noise, dust, fumes and vapor from coolant, etc. This position is part of a team and requires excellent…