Quality Engineer

About the role

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) plays a critical role in managing and improving supplier quality performance and leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality standards for products and processes. The SQE collaborates with cross-functional teams and suppliers to resolve quality issues, implement corrective actions, maintain robust quality systems, and ensure compliance with internal and external quality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional collaboration with product design, product management, production, and supply chain to identify quality risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Oversee supplier management activities to monitor and address quality deviations, ensuring zero-defect standards.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and enforce corrective and preventive actions at supplier sites to ensure compliance with defined quality specifications.
• Provide leadership in resolving supplier-related quality issues, guiding cross-functional teams through structured problem-solving and corrective action processes.
• Plan and conduct audits of production processes, raw materials, and suppliers to ensure compliance with established quality standards and specifications.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations for defects, non-conformities, customer complaints, and other quality issues; drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to closure.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for quality systems and ensure compliance with external quality standards and certifications, such as ISO 9001, as applicable.
• Develop, maintain, and improve quality documentation, including procedures, work instructions, control plans, and inspection criteria.
• Analyze quality data and performance metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to junior quality staff and support quality training initiatives across the organization.
• Support new product introductions and process changes by ensuring quality requirements are defined, validated, and implemented effectively.
• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely completion of all quality-related documentation and records.
• Promote and enforce 5S, Safety, Environmental, and Quality policies and procedures throughout the organization.
• Participate in and lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction, process capability, and customer satisfaction.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in quality engineering or a related role, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage multiple priorities.
• Proven experience handling complex quality issues and leading cross-functional problem-solving efforts.
• Professional certifications (e.g., ASQ CQE, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt) preferred.

Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Skilled in planning and executing supplier audits, managing non-conformance follow-ups, and ensuring regulatory alignment.
• Experienced in authoring and managing quality documentation, including procedures, audit reports, and compliance records, using electronic document control systems.
• Skilled in effective training.
• Advanced technical and analytical skills related to quality systems, tools, and methodologies.
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving capabilities (e.g., 5 Why & 8D).
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and drive data-based decisions.
• Leadership, mentoring, and collaboration skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality excellence.