Supplier Quality Engineer

Why This Role Matters

The supply chain is the foundation of a manufacturer's quality promise — and this role sits at the center of it. As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you'll be the primary driver of supplier accountability, performance, and continuous improvement for printed circuit board assemblies and electronic components essential to mission‑critical end products. From qualifying new supply chain partners to resolving complex defect failures, your work will directly impact product reliability, customer confidence, and the company's ability to deliver on its commitments across aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial markets.

This is a high‑visibility, cross‑functional role where your technical expertise in PCBA processes and quality systems will translate directly into real operational impact.

Supplier Management & Development

• Evaluate and qualify new PCBA and electronic component suppliers through audits, capability assessments, and risk analysis
• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs including PPM, on‑time delivery, corrective action response rates, and audit scores
• Lead supplier development projects to improve yield, reduce defects, and strengthen process controls
• Maintain approved supplier lists, quality documentation, and audit records

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Review supplier manufacturing processes, PCBA assembly procedures, SMT processes, and test coverage including ICT, AOI, and functional test
• Ensure supplier compliance with applicable industry standards — IPC‑A‑610, IPC‑A‑600, ISO 9001, IATF 16949 (where automotive applies), and RoHS/REACH
• Support new product introduction (NPI) by reviewing DFM, PPAP/FAI submissions, and control plans for PCBA builds
• Conduct process audits and layered checks at supplier sites

Issue Resolution & Continuous Improvement

• Investigate incoming PCBA defects, returns, and failures using structured root‑cause analysis tools (8D, FMEA, SPC)
• Drive timely supplier corrective actions and verify their effectiveness through data analysis and follow‑up audits
• Collaborate with engineering teams to differentiate design‑related from process‑related issues
• Develop and optimize incoming inspection procedures and sampling plans for PCBAs and electronic components
• Analyze quality trends and defect data to identify systemic supplier issues
• Provide technical disposition for nonconforming materials (NCMR/MRB support)

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, program management, and procurement teams to ensure alignment across the supply chain
• Support cost‑reduction initiatives by improving supplier yields and reducing rework
• Participate in design reviews to identify manufacturability concerns and quality risk factors

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical field
• 3–7 years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, or PCBA process engineering
• Strong working knowledge of PCB manufacturing, SMT assembly, reflow, wave soldering, conformal coating, and PCBA test processes
• Experience conducting supplier audits, creating scorecards, and supplier development
• Hands‑on experience with quality tools including 8D, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC
• Proficiency with IPC‑A‑610 and IPC‑A‑600 standards
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, PCB layout files, and bills of materials (BOMs)
• Excellent communication and supplier negotiation skills
• Ability to thrive in a high‑volume, high‑detail manufacturing environment

Additional Preferred Experience & Skills

• ASQ Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP)
• Experience with IATF 16949 in an automotive supply chain context
• Familiarity with RoHS/REACH compliance requirements
• Background in PPAP, FAI, or NPI support
• Experience conducting on‑site supplier audits