Supplier Development Engineer

Supplier Development Engineer at Vital Lyfe

Join us in solving global water scarcity by creating innovative desalination systems. This opportunity lets you join a passionate multidisciplinary team tackling one of the world’s most critical challenges.

Build the supplier network behind a field‑deployable water system. Architect quality and reliability into the supply chain from day one and help turn a prototype into a product that can scale anywhere.

• Architect and implement core supplier management systems to ensure traceability, accountability, and quality control
• Develop and scale a high‑performing, resilient supplier network aligned with cost, capacity, delivery, and quality targets
• Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, and technical assessments, including DFM reviews, process flow validation, and QMS audits
• Define and enforce technical and quality standards across new product introduction (NPI) and production
• Partner with internal engineering teams to ensure suppliers fully understand and can meet tight part, assembly, and metrology requirements
• Own the lifecycle of supplier issues from non‑conformance reports (SDRs) to CAPAs, RTVs, and production quality investigations
• Collaborate directly with vendors to solve recurring issues and drive process‑level improvements
• Conduct performance audits and risk reviews, implementing corrective actions where needed
• Provide on‑site technical support as needed to ensure supplier processes are dialed for manufacturability, stability, and spec compliance
• Monitor supplier metrics and trend data to proactively mitigate risks and improve operational performance
• Source and evaluate new suppliers with unique capabilities in materials, fabrication, and metrology
• Build and enforce scalable supplier governance and escalation frameworks from scratch
• Thrive in ambiguity, building processes where none exist, and pushing for excellence where it does

• A builder’s mindset and a systems‑level view of manufacturing
• Experience in supplier quality, NPI, or manufacturing engineering in hardware, climate tech, or industrial systems
• Familiarity with QMS tools and standards (e.g., ISO 9001, PPAP, FAI, CpK, PFMEA)
• Excellent communication and problem‑solving skills in fast‑paced, cross‑functional environments
  • A track record of owning hard problems end‑to‑end and getting things done under real‑world constraints

• Hands‑on work on development hardware
• Long periods of standing, crouching, walking
• Lifting up to 50 lbs

• Work on high‑impact problems with global relevance
• Help scale breakthrough technology in water security and climate resilience
• Early ownership in a high‑growth, engineering‑led startup
• Join a tight‑knit, mission‑driven team in a fast‑paced environment
• Build long‑term career equity as we grow

Vital Lyfe is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vital Lyfe is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.