Supplier Development Engineer

Supplier Development Engineer

Long Beach, California OR Denver, Colorado

Space is a war fighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.

What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.

It's the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

As a Supplier Development Engineer at True Anomaly, you will play a vital role in building and sustaining a world-class supplier base capable of delivering flight-quality hardware to orbit. Reporting to the Manager of Supplier Development, you will support the identification, qualification, and continuous improvement of suppliers across key technical domains, ensuring they meet True Anomaly's rigorous standards for quality, cost, and schedule.

This role is ideal for a technically minded engineer who thrives at the intersection of engineering and supply chain — someone who can bridge the gap between our internal engineering teams and our supplier network, and who is passionate about driving lean principles and scalable, resilient processes from the ground up.

Lead supplier development lifecycle — qualification, performance management, and continuous improvement — across Propulsion, Structures, Power Systems, Avionics, PCBA and Harnessing

Execute supplier qualification processes including technical audits, capability assessments, risk assessments, and first article inspections (FAI)

Develop and implement supplier quality programs including scorecards (tracking FPY, RTV, OTD), quality clauses, and flow-down requirements for purchase orders

Conduct process, system, and product audits at supplier sites to verify AS9100/ITAR compliance and readiness for flight hardware production

Lead lean implementation initiatives at supplier sites including value stream mapping, waste reduction, 5S, and kaizen events to improve quality and delivery performance

Drive resolution of supplier quality escapes and technical non-conformances through root cause and corrective action (RCCA)

Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including single-source dependencies, long lead items, and regulatory exposure; develop dual-source strategies

Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Program Management to ensure supplier readiness aligns with program milestones

Contribute to development and continuous improvement of supplier development processes, tools, and documentation

Travel to supplier sites as needed (estimated 30–50%)

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or a related technical discipline

4–7 years of experience in supplier development, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or supply chain engineering in Aerospace/Defense /Medical/Automotive

Hands-on experience implementing lean methodologies at supplier or manufacturing sites with measurable results

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and technical specifications

Experience conducting supplier audits, capability/risk assessments, qualification programs, and corrective action processes (8D, CAPA, SCAR)

Experience developing supplier quality programs including scorecards, quality clauses, and performance management systems

Familiarity with AS9100, ITAR/EAR, and aerospace quality frameworks

Strong communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Excel) and data-driven supplier performance tools

Experience with ERP/MRP systems

Willingness to travel to supplier sites (30–50%)

Space-technology supply chain or flight hardware development experience

Lean or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt, Lean Practitioner) or equivalent demonstrated experience

Experience with advanced manufacturing processes (additive manufacturing,…