Supplier Development Engineer

Responsibilities

• Own sourcing for new product introduction: identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for custom components, raw materials, and assemblies used in new and next-generation surgical devices.
• Partner with R&D and Design Engineering from early development, translating drawings, specifications, and tolerances into clear sourcing strategies and manufacturable supplier requirements.
• Lead supplier selection and development, including RFQs, cost and lead-time analysis, capability assessment, negotiation, and onboarding of new vendors.
• Drive component and material qualification in partnership with Quality and Manufacturing, supporting first article inspection, PPAP/validation activities, and design transfer from prototype to production.
• Apply engineering judgment to manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, CNC machining, metal stamping, additive manufacturing, PCBA) to assess supplier capability and optimize for cost, quality, and manufacturability.
• Build and manage the supply base for new products, balancing risk, cost, lead time, and capacity, and establishing supply agreements that scale with demand.
• Resolve supplier technical issues and non-conformances, working cross-functionally to close gaps, drive corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of sourcing and NPI processes, improving speed-to-launch, cost positioning, and supply continuity across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Materials, or related Engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in sourcing, supplier development, procurement, or manufacturing engineering supporting physical products (candidates with more experience are also encouraged to apply and would be considered for a more senior level).
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI), bringing components or products from design through supplier qualification and into production.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specifications and understand the manufacturing processes behind precision components.
• Strong commercial skills: comfortable running RFQs, analyzing cost and lead time, and negotiating with and developing suppliers.
• You default to AI and modern tooling in your everyday work and look for ways to apply it to sourcing and engineering problems.
• Familiarity with supplier qualification and quality requirements (e.g., first article inspection, validation, ISO 13485) is a plus.
• Experience with ERP/MRP and data systems; familiarity with Odoo, Snowflake, or similar platforms is a plus.
• Curiosity, ownership mindset, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

What Success Looks Like In This Role

• Within the first 3-6 months, you are independently leading sourcing for active development programs, qualifying suppliers, and de-risking supply for components on the critical path.
• Within the first year, suppliers and materials you sourced and qualified are in production and supporting products used in the operating room.
• You are known for sound engineering judgment, strong supplier relationships, and a bias toward action that keeps new products on schedule and on cost.

Location & Work Arrangement: This position is based in Bedford, Massachusetts (near Boston) and is an onsite role. Travel expectation is 10-20%.