Senior Supplier Engineer

Primary Function of Position

Lead Supplier Engineer on a design project. Responsible for influencing the design architecture, component specifications, and component manufacturing process based on supplier capabilities. Responsible for DFM, cost modeling, commodity knowledge, support supplier selection and BOM cost targets. Responsible for qualification of all components and launch plan. Post launch, responsible for driving suppliers to continuously improve business and manufacturing processes.

Essential Job Duties

• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) by translating design intent into clear, measurable specifications and manufacturable solutions
• Influence component technology, sourcing, and manufacturing approaches to meet quality, cost, scalability, and business objectives
• Evaluate and develop supplier capabilities, including process capability (Cp/Cpk), capacity, and workstation limitations, to ensure alignment with tolerance and production requirements
• Translate design requirements into optimized processes, tooling, fixturing, and sequencing, including appropriate fabrication and assembly methods
• Lead supplier technical reviews, capability assessments, and risk mitigation, including dFMEA/pFMEA alignment
• Define and execute process validation and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ, FAI, Cpk) to ensure production readiness
• Develop and execute supply base strategies to mitigate risks related to lead time, sub-tier complexity, and sole-source dependencies
• Drive supplier development, root cause analysis, and CAPA to improve quality, delivery, and process robustness
• Establish and leverage supplier performance metrics (cost, quality, delivery, capacity, capability) to drive continuous improvement
• Partner cross-functionally with Design, Quality, and Operations to ensure alignment through development, launch, and production
• Develop and influence using metrics for supplier part cost, delivery, quality, capacity and capability by creating metrics to measure real improvement and judge required intervention or change at the supplier or in a commodity.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable expertise across a wide range of manufacturing processes, with deep specialization in metal fabrication including Precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding processes, surface treatment and coatings
• Clear understanding of key input variables impacting quality, cost, cycle time and capacity
• Proven ability to work alongside design engineers, assess supplier capabilities, assess process risk and capacity, drive supplier performance to meet production and compliance goals
• Demonstrable knowledge in evaluating and challenging supplier technical, quality, and business capabilities
• Strong Project Management skills, with ability to manage multiple suppliers, timelines, and cross functional dependencies
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to present technical topics clearly to executive leadership
• Excellent Interpersonal skills and cross-functional collaboration skills, with ability to influence both internal teams and external suppliers
• Building skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with sound engineering judgement and data-driven decision making
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (preferably SAP) and strong working knowledge of MS office tools
• Ability to read, interpret, and communicate complex mechanical drawings and specifications

Required Education And Training

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related field)
• 8+ years of relevant experience in Supplier Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Mechanical Design or related field

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience with GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and metrology techniques
• Knowledge of cutting-edge technologies used in metal fabrication in machining and sheet metal assembly, apply the supplier’s process capability to provide the design solutions
• Familiarity with electro-mechanical assemblies and CAD tools
• Experience in regulated environments (ISO 13485, 21 CFR Part 820)
• Background in Lean, Six Sigma, or SPC implementation
• Experience with supplier audits, process validation, and qualification