Supplier-Quality Engineer

Summary

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for ensuring that suppliers of electronic components, PCB assemblies, mechanical parts, and outsourced manufacturing meet the stringent quality, reliability, and regulatory requirements of an AS9100‑compliant Electronic Contract Manufacturing (ECM/EMS) environment. This role supports programs serving aerospace, defense, and high‑reliability industries. The SQE drives supplier capability, process control, and continuous improvement to ensure consistent delivery of mission‑critical electronic products.

Req
Region:
Americas
Country: USA
State/Province:
Minnesota
City:
Maple Grove

• Develop and maintain supplier quality strategies for electronic components, PCBs, PCBAs, cables, machining, plastics, and precision mechanical parts used in aerospace and defense applications.
• Qualify new suppliers through on‑site audits, AS9100 compliance verification, process assessments, and technical capability reviews.
• Ensure supplier processes meet mil‑aero expectations for reliability, documentation control, traceability, counterfeit parts prevention, and special processes.
• Lead supplier approval activities, including PPAP/FAI, PFMEA, control plans, and risk assessments aligned with AS9100 and customer-specific aerospace requirements.
• Manage SCARs, root cause analysis, and corrective action using structured methods such as 8D and 5 Why.
• Review and validate supplier process changes, PCNs, EOL notices, and material substitutions for impact on aerospace products and compliance.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics such as PPM, on‑time delivery, PCBA quality, special process conformance, and audit findings.
• Ensure incoming inspection, sampling, and documentation adhere to AS9100, DFARS, ITAR, and customer requirements.
• Work closely with engineering and program teams on NPI for aerospace electronics, ensuring DFM, DFT, and reliability requirements are met.
• Maintain supplier quality documentation, audit reports, corrective action records, and traceability data to meet regulatory and customer audits.
• Support supplier readiness for customer and regulatory audits including AS9100, DCMA, NADCAP (when applicable), and prime contractor requirements.
• Encourage supplier continuous improvement using Lean/Six Sigma methods.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field).
• Experience in supplier quality or manufacturing engineering within electronics, aerospace, defense, or high‑reliability industries.
• Strong understanding of AS9100, FAI per AS9102, and other aerospace quality requirements.
• Knowledge of IPC standards: IPC‑A‑610, IPC‑A‑600, IPC‑620, J‑STD‑001.
• Working knowledge of PCBA processes (SMT, wave/selective solder, AOI, ICT, functional test).
• Ability to interpret schematics, PCB layouts, BOMs, and mechanical drawings (including GD&T).
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, and supplier management skills.
• Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed.

• Familiarity with special processes such as plating, coating, soldering, bonding, or NADCAP‑controlled processes.
• Experience with reliability testing such as thermal cycling, vibration, ESS, or HALT/HASS.
• Certifications such as ASQ CQE, CQA, Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, or IPC certifications.
• Experience with ITAR, DFARS, and defense‑related documentation control.

• Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment.
• Duties may require repetitive manual movements (e.g., keyboarding), carrying, pushing or pulling light objects (< 5 kg), or heavy objects (> 5 kg).
• Sustained visual concentration on monitors and documents.

Salary Range: $75k-$123k Annually. The salary range described in this posting is an estimate by the Company and may change based on factors including duties, credentials, experience, or geographic jurisdiction.

• 4 to 6 years in a similar role or industry.

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Educational requirements may vary by geography.

This job description is not intended to be…