Senior Supplier Development Engineer

What you'll do:

• Act as the technical point of contact, functioning as a liaison between procurement, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to solve emergent challenges and mitigate risks associated with raw materials and special processes
• Support the creation and implementation of a materials and special processing controls program to develop, qualify, continuously improve, and manage the performance of the supply base. Establish preferred suppliers by category
• Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve complex materials and processing challenges
• Provide guidance, feedback, and DFM reviews relating to materials and special process selections
• Create and manage specifications to define and control materials and special processes, including qualification requirements, inspection methods, and test procedures
• Lead cross functional supplier non-conformance investigations, identifying and mitigating the immediate and underlying root causes in order to quantify/reduce risk and improve reliability of designs and processes
• Audit, assess, and qualify new suppliers and/or new capabilities at existing suppliers
• Monitor supplier performance for risk, high impact issues, and repeat non-conformances. Own improvements and resolutions.
• Physically be on-site at vendors for long periods of time to support problem resolutions
• Review and approve supplier submitted documentation including process qualifications, material certifications, testing data, FAIRs, etc

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
• 6+ years experience in metallurgy, materials science, materials engineering, or related field
• Experience with Supplier Assessments & Audits, including Quality Management Systems (e.g., ISO 9001, AS 9100, IATF 16949)
• Familiarity with specialized quality tools such PPAP (PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA), capacity analysis, and Lean initiatives
• Ability to design, establish, and implement supplier quality improvement processes and procedures
• Ability to communicate materials and special process development methods and tests to non-technical audiences
• Strong communication skills, including ability to influence others across organizational lines
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks
• Strong Customer Service skills
• Strong problem solving skills, ability to approach new problems with creativity
• Experience making and justifying decisions in fast paced engineering settings
• Broad familiarity with the ancillary processes associated with the production of metallic parts, e.g., Non-destructive evaluation, heat treatment, etc.
• Technical capabilities including knowledge of 2D blueprints and model drawings
• Knowledge of supplier quality processes; production part approval process, advanced product quality planning, first article inspection reports, etc.

Bonus points for:

• Master’s Degree
• Six Sigma Certification (Yellow, Green or Black) certifications
• Experience in a start-up or high growth environment
• Experience in highly regulated fields such as automotive or aerospace

Must-have Requirements:

• Perform extended activities such as stooping, climbing, typing, standing, sitting, etc.
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call regularly; travel expected to be minimum 25%
• Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics