Supplier Quality Engineer

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on uncrewed systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology. We leverage proven, cutting-edge methodologies and technology to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks, ensuring timely delivery of cost-effective solutions to market.

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for the day-to-day quality performance, compliance, and corrective-action management of TDIis supply base. The SQE serves as the primary quality interface with assigned suppliers and ensures purchased materials, components, and externally provided processes meet engineering, contractual, customer, and regulatory requirements.

The SQE focuses on supplier quality performance, nonconformance containment, root cause and corrective action, First Article Inspection (FAI), process capability, supplier audits, source inspection, and prevention of recurring defects.

The SQE works cross-functionally with Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program Management to resolve supplier-related issues that could affect product quality, production schedules, customer deliveries, or reliability.

• Manage quality performance of assigned suppliers.
• Monitor and trend:
• Product quality and defect rates
• Supplier escapes and recurring nonconformances
• SPC and process capability data
• Corrective-action responsiveness and effectiveness
• Maintain supplier quality scorecards and performance metrics.
• Escalate significant or recurring supplier quality risks.

• Lead supplier-related NCRs and Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs).
• Coordinate containment of suspect or nonconforming material.
• Drive root cause analysis using structured methods including:
• 8D
• 5 Whys
• DMAIC
• Validate corrective actions at both process and system levels.
• Verify corrective-action effectiveness and prevent recurrence.

• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes including:
• Multi-axis CNC machining
• Turning, milling, grinding, and finishing
• High-precision aerospace components
• Assess supplier ability to consistently meet:
• GD&T and dimensional tolerances
• Surface finish requirements
• Critical feature requirements
• Engineering and regulatory requirements
• Review machining strategies, tooling, inspection methods, and process controls.

• Evaluate compliance with material and special-process requirements including:
• Nickel-based alloys, stainless steel, titanium, and other aerospace materials
• Heat treatment
• Coatings and surface treatments
• NDT and other special processes
• Verify control of:
• Material lot traceability
• Material Test Reports (MTRs)
• Certificates of Conformance
• Special-process certifications
• Support failure analysis involving material, heat-treatment, or metallurgical concerns.

• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, and tolerance requirements.
• Review critical-to-quality features, surface finish, and geometric requirements.
• Ensure suppliers understand and comply with current technical requirements.
• Support Engineering and suppliers in resolving manufacturability, dimensional, and process capability concerns.

• Review supplier FAI packages in accordance with AS9102.
• Verify dimensional results, material certifications, special-process certifications, and supporting documentation.
• Support FAI requirements resulting from design, process, tooling, or manufacturing changes.

• Support development of inspection and control plans for critical supplier components.
• Review:
• CMM data
• Dimensional inspection reports
• SPC data
• Material and process certifications
• Ensure traceability between:
• Material
• Manufacturing processes
• Inspection data
• Partner with Quality and Manufacturing on acceptance criteria and supplier containment requirements.

• Conduct supplier quality system, process, and product audits as required.
• Perform targeted audits in response to:
• Supplier escapes
• Recurring defects
• Process instability
• Corrective-action concerns
• Conduct or coordinate source inspections when required.
• Document findings and ensure corrective actions are completed and verified.

• Collaborate with Engineering on:
• Manufacturability
• Tolerance feasibility
• Supplier-related technical issues
• Partner with Supply Chain on supplier quality performance and risk.
• Support Manufacturing with supplier-related production issues, containment, and recovery actions.
• Provide timely supplier…