Supplier Quality Engineer - Equipment & Machines

NX-2873 Supplier Quality Engineer - Equipment & Machines

Location:

Las Vegas, Nevada

Nextpower is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to support our rapidly expanding Heavy Machinery (Truss Drivers, TMMs) and electrical balance of systems (eBOS) product lines. This role is critical to ensuring supplier quality performance for our Las Vegas assembly facility and sub-supplier network, with a focus on foundations and solar PV system components such as wiring, over-molding, combiner boxes, and disconnect switches.

The position is responsible for auditing and qualifying suppliers, implementing robust quality systems, driving PPAP and inspection requirements, validating gages and inspection tools, and leading data-driven process improvements using SPC methodologies. The Supplier Quality Engineer will own supplier performance metrics (DPPM, RMAs, early life failures), lead root cause and corrective action activities—including on-site issue resolution—and implement supplier scorecards to drive continuous improvement.

This role requires strong technical quality expertise, hands-on supplier engagement, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-growing manufacturing environment while building strong partnerships across operations and the supplier base.

• Audit new suppliers and recommend whether we do business with them, based on the level of risk.
• Document audit results via a professional report that can be shared with financing partners.
• Provide guidance and support to suppliers to implement robust quality processes in their factories.
• Support supplier quality for electrical balance of systems (eBOS) for solar photovoltaic products.
• Knowledge of products such as wiring, over-molding, combiner boxes, and disconnect switches.
• Complete quality requirements input into PPAPs, critical dimensions or aspects on prints, inspection check-sheet preparation, measuring system plans, FAI process instructions and completion, MSA, pre-production plan, production ramp-up plan and sample inspections, inline critical dimension/aspect checks, self-certification of suppliers.
• Specify and validate inspection tools and gages for suppliers.
• Develop technical process improvement strategies at supplier facilities backed by SPC data (Cp, CpK, P chart, X-bar, etc.) to ensure compliance.
• Monitor key performance indicators for supplier quality, such as early life failures, DPPMs, and RMA rate.
• Own supplier performance results by monitoring, driving, and optimizing inspection frequency based on DPPM outcome to ensure supplier quality compliance.
• Lead solving critical supplier quality issues. For example, when a supplier produces a product that does not meet Nextpower standards, deploy and lead root cause/corrective action activities.
• Manage timely resolution of supplier failures, corrective actions, and preventive actions, and drive their resolution through regularly set meetings with suppliers.
• Guide and mentor suppliers on how to improve their quality over time.
• Implement the supplier scorecard to measure ongoing supplier performance.
• Own and drive the relationship between NX and suppliers regarding quality performance, trends, and all corrective actions.

• Experience working with heavy machinery and equipment.
• Bachelor’s degree in quality/manufacturing engineering or related industry experience required.
• Strong hands-on experience with welded structural assemblies (frames, structural steel, load-bearing weldments).
• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering in a related industry required.
• A self-starter and a passion for making a real difference in a fast-growing company and industry.
• Ability to multi-task and support requests from multiple internal and external requestors.
• Intimate understanding of supplier quality best practices.
• Analytical skills using Excel and SPC tools (e.g., Minitab).
• Versed in problem-solving techniques.
• Experience auditing manufacturing facilities or processes in accordance with ISO 9001 QMS.
• Knowledge of GD&T tolerancing, AQL inspection, zero-defect philosophy.

• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and solve problems resourcefully.
• Strong project management, organizational skills, and keen attention to detail.
• Capable of generating new ideas and following through to completion.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Excellent people skills and an upbeat, enthusiastic attitude.
• Self-driven, self-motivated, and makes responsible decisions.
• Effective interface with senior management and staff.
• Superior professionalism, judgment, and strong work ethic.
• Great team player who can adapt to multicultural work environments with different departments.

Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.