Prin. Supplier Engineer

About the role

Textron Systems is seeking an experienced Electrical/Mechanical Sourcing Engineer focused on Design for Manufacturing and Assembly as part of the Strategic Outsourcing Strategy. The focus will be to lead engagement with the internal customers to support the development of business opportunities, collaborate with Strategic Sourcing Managers to provide an effective, stable, and successful roadmap for Partnerships and Suppliers for Supply Chain.

Responsibilities

• Provide Key engineering input (technical producibility/DFX, evaluations, assessments, etc.) to support new product development with internal customers
• Build and act as the critical conduit to set up the supply base and lead complex custom supplier development projects to mature the manufacturing readiness
• Identify, build, manage and maintain capable supplier sources
• Drive the optimization of design for supplier manufacturability, design for supplier assembly, outsourcing design to cost & quality, and further support prototyping validation/readiness leading to a successful product roadmap for stable transition to production
• Collaborate with Sourcing Management and cross-functional stakeholders -Business Development, Programs, Engineering, and Manufacturing- to provide technical outsourcing recommendations that will support the maturation of business opportunities and program development goals
• Align product technical requirements with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless outsourcing execution
• Support program by contributing technical guidance and peer reviews to evaluation documentation, maintaining capability development artifacts, and engaging in key design reviews (e.g., TIM, TRR, PDR, CDR)
• Engage preferred suppliers early in the design phase alongside internal teams to influence product and process development, ensuring recommendations balance performance, manufacturability, and cost targets
• Define key performance tracking metrics and develop standardized processes and tools for Product Readiness Reviews (PRR), enabling consistent assessment, analysis, and progress tracking
• Work closely with IPT members, subcontractors, and procurement to align and optimize supplier manufacturing capabilities and strategic sourcing plans
• Identify cost savings and cost avoidance information for sourcing improvement opportunities
• Manage and support the outsourcing of product testing, tooling, fixturing, assembly, and validation activities to qualified external suppliers

Qualifications

• Wide bandwidth of experience and knowledge of mechanical and/or electrical design and awareness of lean manufacturing principles
• Ability to drive the team on outsourcing technical solutions, special projects and process improvements
• Keen ability to detect and analyze potential design issues, and to apply logical or scientific solutions to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems
• Knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Assembly (DFA), and Cost (DFC)
• Basic computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, Visio
• Manufacturing specific computer skills: ERP and MRP (e.g. Oracle); PLM (e.g. Matrix)
• Experience with CAD software (UG NX 10+ preferred) or electrical design tools (CHS, etc.)
• Preferred experience with product costing tools such as aPriori, SEER, or equivalent
• High level familiarization of Quality Management Systems and Requirements
• Knowledge and appreciation of FAR requirements, outsourcing and Supply Chain procedures
• Desire to continually learn new skills, attend technical expositions, and develop a sourcing network
• Travel to supplier locations at least 30% of time

How We Care

Textron Systems is committed to offering employees opportunities to grow and develop. Our benefits and compensation packages are designed to help our talented employees excel and achieve their goals, so they can make a difference every day in and outside of the workplace.