Principal Supplier Quality Engineer

Principal Supplier Quality Engineer

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Supplier Quality Engineer. As Monarch Quantum scales, you will play a key hands-on role in ensuring that our supply base meets the exceptional quality standards required for our laser light engines and quantum computing platforms. Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain, you will bridge technical design requirements with vendor capabilities, maintaining direct oversight of critical hardware components.

This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You will work directly with suppliers of optics, micro-electronics, fiber optics, and exotic metal components to prevent defects, resolve technical issues, and ensure seamless delivery into production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day supplier quality performance for key vendors supplying 2 or more of the following: optics, PWBAs, fiber optic harnesses, and exotic metal components (MoCu, Kovar, Molybdenum).
• Interpret complex technical drawings, optical specs, and GD&T tolerances to verify supplier manufacturing readiness and inspection capability.
• Execute First Article Inspections (FAI), review supplier manufacturing plans, and lead component qualification activities during New Product Introduction (NPI) phases.
• Conduct technical, process, and QMS audits at supplier facilities to verify process controls, cleanroom compliance, and quality systems.
• Lead technical root-cause analyses for supplier non-conformances (RMA/MRB) and enforce rigorous Corrective and Preventive Action (8D CAPA) execution.
• Track supplier quality metrics (yield, defect rate, delivery quality) and mentor key suppliers to continuously improve technical yield and process control.
• Partner closely with Monarch Design Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to drive Design for Manufacturability/Quality (DFx) and resolve integration challenges.