Supplier Development Engineer

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers, processes, and equipment capable of manufacturing precision photonic and electro-mechanical hardware at scale
• Develop and manage a supplier ecosystem for precision optics, photonic components, coatings, ultrafast interconnects, and micro-mechanical assemblies
• Lead supplier qualification activities, including process capability assessment, first-article inspection, and production readiness reviews for components with sub-micron tolerances and demanding environmental requirements
• Define and implement incoming quality requirements, in-line inspection methods, and supplier process controls; develop supplier guidelines, specifications, and reference documentation
• Lead supplier-side root-cause analysis and corrective action for quality, yield, and reliability issues, driving improvements that directly impact product performance
• Co-develop new manufacturing processes with suppliers for challenging components and assemblies, translating internal design intent into producible supplier workflows
• Partner with mechanical, optical, process, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure supplier capabilities align with product requirements and production ramp timelines
• Track and report supplier performance metrics (quality, delivery, yield, responsiveness) and drive accountability against targets
• Support supplier capacity planning and production ramp execution for new product introductions

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering, physics, or a related discipline
• Strong fundamentals in mechanical engineering, manufacturing processes, or semiconductor/photonic fabrication
• Experience working with external suppliers or contract manufacturers in a technical capacity, or demonstrated strong aptitude and motivation to develop supplier management skills
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with comfort working across organizational boundaries
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Willingness to travel to supplier sites as needed

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Process engineering or mechanical engineering experience in a production or manufacturing environment
• Experience in high-volume production environments, including supplier qualification and production ramp
• GD&T proficiency, including experience defining tolerances and inspection requirements for precision components
• Experience with supplier quality tools and methodologies (e.g., PPAP, FMEA, 8D, SPC, process capability studies)
• Background in optics, photonics, semiconductor, or precision manufacturing supply chains
• Experience with incoming inspection methods, metrology equipment, or quality management systems
• Familiarity with sourcing and procurement processes, including RFQ development and supplier negotiation