Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Title:

Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Description

The Supplier Quality Engineer provides quality engineering and continuous improvement leadership across suppliers, engineering, and quality organizations. This role leads supplier problem solving, implements corrective actions, performs process and quality system audits, qualifies new components and processes, and drives strategic improvements across the global supplier base. The position supports the full product lifecycle-from concept and design through New Product Introduction (NPI) and sustaining-by embedding robust supplier quality practices, improving manufacturing capability, and driving continuous supplier improvement, with a strong focus on electronics and PCBA manufacturing.

Responsibilities

+ Lead supplier qualification and ongoing performance management for PCB and PCBA suppliers.

+ Evaluate supplier electronic assembly processes, including SMT, wave soldering, conformal coating, cleanliness, and ICT/functional testing.

+ Ensure supplier compliance with IPC-A-610 and related standards such as J-STD-001 and IPC-A-600.

+ Drive supplier quality controls, readiness, and overall performance improvement, including NPI readiness.

+ Improve supplier process capability, reduce scrap, and enhance consistency and defect prevention.

+ Lead APQP/PPAP flow-down requirements in collaboration with Engineering and Supply Chain.

+ Develop and maintain incoming quality control (IQC) plans, sampling strategies, and test/inspection requirements.

+ Support and approve First Article qualifications for new components and processes.

+ Lead DFMEA and PFMEA activities related to supplier processes to identify and mitigate risks.

+ Support stop-ship decisions, containment activities, investigations, and other quality-related actions as needed.

+ Conduct supplier process, system, and product audits and drive timely closure of nonconformities.

+ Ensure supplier quality procedures, work instructions, and records meet quality management system (QMS) requirements.

+ Maintain proper documentation, traceability, change control, and configuration management at suppliers.

+ Communicate supplier risks, quality status, and improvement progress to leadership with clarity and urgency.

+ Lead supplier-related APQP/PPAP activities for NPI, including DFM/A reviews, PFMEA, control plans, MSA/GR&R, First Article Inspection (FAI), and process validations.

+ Partner with Design and Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to ensure manufacturability and quality robustness of electronic designs.

+ Provide supplier manufacturing and process capability input during Engineering Design Reviews.

+ Define acceptance criteria, MSA/GR&R, and Critical-to-Quality (CtQ) characteristics for supplier-delivered components and assemblies.

+ Verify supplier process readiness for launch, including line qualification, tooling, and assembly readiness.

+ Ensure suppliers meet launch quality targets such as DPPM, RTY, and escape rates.

+ Monitor supplier quality performance, including defect trends, process variation, cost of quality metrics, and incoming quality results.

+ Lead structured problem-solving (8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa) for supplier-related issues, customer returns, and internal escapes.

+ Monitor and improve supplier performance in areas such as cost of poor quality (CoPQ), scrap, rework, and yield.

+ Optimize supplier test strategies (ICT, functional test, AOI and related methods) to minimize escapes.

+ Drive permanent corrective actions and verify effectiveness through data analysis and process validation.

+ Support containment, rework coordination, concessions, and stop-ship decisions when required.

+ Promote a culture of quality, data integrity, and continuous improvement using Lean, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement tools.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Manufacturing, or a related engineering discipline.

+ 8-10+ years of Supplier Quality Engineering experience, preferably in electronics or PCBA manufacturing.

+ Strong working knowledge of PCB manufacturing and PCBA assembly flow.

+ IPC-A-610 training or certification.

+ Demonstrated expertise in APQP/PPAP, PFMEA, DFMEA, control plans, and MSA/GR&R.

+ ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor certification.

+ Proficiency with structured problem-solving tools, including 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa diagrams.

+

Experience with Lean, Kaizen, or Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt or higher preferred).

+ Willingness to travel up to 30% to supplier or manufacturing sites.

+ Strong background in electronics manufacturing and quality engineering.

+ Ability to lead supplier qualification, audits, and performance improvement initiatives.

+ Capability to interpret and apply industry standards such as IPC-A-610 and related specifications.

+ Strong data-driven decision-making and statistical analysis skills.

+ Ability to communicate clearly with cross-functional teams and leadership and drive actions to closure.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Familiarity with J-STD-001 and IPC-A-600…