Principal Supplier Quality Engineer

Principal Supplier Quality Engineer | Fremont, CA (Onsite 3x/week with up to 50% travel to South Bay)

We're looking for a Principal Supplier Quality Engineer to build our supplier quality management program from the ground up. This is a brand-new role — you'll be the dedicated supplier quality authority, owning the full lifecycle of supplier qualification, auditing, monitoring, and performance management for a fast-growing medical device company.

You'llwear multiple hats, partner cross-functionally, and have real influence in shaping how we manage suppliers as we scale.

• Design, implement, and continuously improve our Supplier Quality Management Program — supplier qualification, controls, auditing, monitoring, and risk management
• Lead qualification and oversight of contract manufacturers, sterilization providers, and critical suppliers
• Plan, conduct, and report on supplier audits and assessments
• Own SCAR management from initiation through effectiveness verification
• Investigate supplier quality issues, drive root cause analysis and corrective action
• Build and maintain supplier scorecards, risk profiles, and performance metrics
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Regulatory Affairs
• Support FDA inspections, notified body audits, and customer audits
• Apply risk-based decision-making per ISO 14971

• 8-10+ years of Quality Assurance / Supplier Quality experience in the medical device industry
• Strong working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 820/QMSR, ISO 13485, and ISO 14971
• Proven experience qualifying, auditing, and managing suppliers, including SCAR management
• Background in medical robotics, orthopedic implants, capital equipment, or electromechanical devices strongly preferred but not required
• Experience building a supplier quality program from scratch a big plus
• ASQ CQE, CSQP, CQA, or ISO 13485 Lead Auditor certification preferred
• Comfortable with up to 50% travel to our primary supplier located in South Bay

• Onsite 3 days/week when not traveling to South Bay Supplier
• Full medical, dental, and vision; KPI-based bonus; stock options
• Please note:
  
  this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship, including TN visas