Job Title: Senior Supplier Quality Engineer
Location: Bedford, MA
Schedule: Monday - Friday
Pay Range: $120-140k annually
Job Description:
We are seeking an accomplished
Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) to play a key role in ensuring supplier performance, product quality, and manufacturing excellence across a complex technical supply chain. Serving as a critical liaison between the organization and its suppliers, this individual will drive supplier qualification, auditing, corrective action, process capability, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the supplier lifecycle.
Working closely with Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Manufacturing, the Senior Supplier Quality Engineer will evaluate supplier capabilities, identify and resolve quality issues, monitor key performance indicators, and ensure suppliers consistently meet stringent technical and quality requirements.
The ideal candidate brings extensive supplier or manufacturing quality experience, strong knowledge of mechanical and electromechanical products, and the technical ability to evaluate manufacturing processes, interpret engineering drawings and inspection data, and lead suppliers through effective root cause and corrective action processes.
Military experience equivalency may substitute for some requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development and execution of a comprehensive supplier quality strategy aligned with business and operational objectives.
- Partner with Engineering, Procurement, Operations, and Manufacturing to integrate supplier quality requirements into New Product Introduction (NPI), alternate sourcing, and other critical initiatives.
- Participate throughout the complete supplier lifecycle, including initial assessment, qualification, ongoing performance monitoring, corrective action, and continuous improvement.
- Establish and maintain robust processes for supplier selection, qualification, assessment, and performance management.
- Conduct supplier audits, capability assessments, and performance evaluations at domestic and international supplier locations.
- Document audit findings and monitor corrective action, mitigation, and continuous improvement plans through successful resolution.
- Monitor supplier quality KPIs, including defect rates, Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), customer complaints, and other performance indicators to identify trends and emerging risks.
- Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes and assess process capability for Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) characteristics identified on engineering drawings.
- Partner directly with suppliers to troubleshoot quality issues, improve manufacturing processes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Lead and guide suppliers through structured root cause analysis using tools such as 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, and Kepner-Tregoe methodologies.
- Train suppliers on organizational quality expectations and promote a proactive zero-defect quality mindset throughout the supply base.
- Review and enforce First Article Inspection (FAI) requirements and Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) sampling plans.
- Apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies and process capability measures, including Cp and Cpk, to evaluate supplier process performance.
- Review dimensional inspection results, including CMM reports, to determine compliance with engineering and quality requirements.
- Communicate directly with suppliers regarding critical quality issues, non-conformances, corrective actions, and improvement expectations.
- Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) activities as required.
- Support investigations, internal and supplier audits, method transfers, qualifications, and validation activities.
- Develop technical reports and presentations that clearly communicate supplier quality performance, complex data analysis, findings, risks, and recommended actions to key stakeholders.
- Support and promote a culture of quality excellence and continuous improvement throughout the organization and supplier network.
Required Qualifications:
- 8+ years of experience in Supplier Quality Engineering, Quality Control, Manufacturing Quality, or a closely related manufacturing discipline.
- Experience conducting supplier and/or internal quality audits.
- Experience working within an established Quality Management System such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, or a comparable regulated QMS environment.
- Working knowledge of mechanical drawings, Geometric Dimensioning Tolerancing (GDT), and electromechanical schematics.
- Strong knowledge of structured quality and problem-solving methodologies, including 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, and/or Kepner-Tregoe.
- Knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and process capability analysis, including Cp and Cpk.
- Familiarity with First Article Inspection (FAI) requirements and AQL sampling methodologies.
- Experience assessing supplier manufacturing processes and Critical-to-Quality characteristics.
- Familiarity with precision inspection equipment including Vernier calipers, micrometers, and related dimensional inspection tools.
- Ability to interpret and evaluate CMM inspection reports.
- Demonstrated knowledge of method transfers and manufacturing qualification/validation processes.
- Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Proven ability to conduct audits and investigations and translate complex quality data into clear findings, presentations, and recommended actions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to establish effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Ability to independently manage multiple projects, supplier issues, and competing priorities within a rapidly changing environment.
- Strong organizational skills with a disciplined and methodical approach to documentation, communication, and problem resolution.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Supplier Quality or Manufacturing Quality experience within the semiconductor industry.
- Experience with machining, milling, work-cell manufacturing, or other precision manufacturing processes.
- Knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Serviceability, and cost-reduction methodologies.
- Experience using Minitab or comparable statistical analysis software.
- Experience using SolidWorks or other CAD platforms.
- Experience supporting rapidly growing manufacturing or technology organizations with evolving supplier networks.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
USPRO is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability and/or other protected categories. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodation(s) to qualified individuals with disabilities or needs, as required by law.
