Supplier Development (Quality) Engineer III

Textron Systems is part of Textron, a $14 billion, multi-industry company employing 35,000 talented makers, thinkers, creators and doers worldwide. We make things that fly, hover, zoom and launch—products that move people, protect soldiers, and power industries. This role sits within Textron Systems’ Weapon Systems business area.

About the Role

The Supplier Development Engineer delivers strategic and tactical supply-chain activities to improve external supply-chain capability, enabling competition among top-performing suppliers and driving quality throughout the product life cycle. The role requires travel (~30%) to build supplier relationships, perform assessments, and solve execution challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers and internal customers (program management, engineering, manufacturing, procurement, Quality).
• Perform supplier assessments, quality-management-system surveys, and special-process surveys.
• Solicit supplier input on product design for manufacturability, cost, reliability, and parts availability.
• Conduct Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRA) as needed.
• Flow down contractual requirements to suppliers and align on quality codes and performance expectations.
• Execute supplier development strategies across all domains.
• Partner with Sourcing Engineering, Supplier Management, Buyers, and Quality Engineering to ensure smooth supplier transitions via Technical Interchange Meetings (TIM).
• Coordinate supplier inspection requirements, including first-article inspection, nonconforming-material management, and Material Review Board actions.
• Lead resolution of critical supplier issues and risk assessments (FMEA/Risk Cubes, RCCA, countermeasures, scorecard reviews).
• Analyze and report supplier performance data to ensure quality and delivery targets are met.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering preferred).
• 2+ years in a design environment; 5+ years in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or supply-chain engineering.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Wide-bandwidth knowledge of mechanical and/or electrical design and lean manufacturing principles.
• Ability to read technical drawings, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, Model-Based Definition files, BOMs, CAD models, and specifications.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, AS9102, J-STD-001, IPC-610, and industry manufacturing/test standards.
• Knowledge of GD&T, DFX principles (Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, Cost), and root-cause corrective-action processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, Visio) and manufacturing systems (ERP/MRP, PLM).
• Strong interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Travel to supplier locations at least 30% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Government contracting experience.
• Lean principles or Six Sigma certification.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules.
• Education assistance.
• Career development and training opportunities.
• Wellness program (including fitness reimbursement).
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with company funding.
• 401(k) with company contributions.
• Paid parental leave.
• Life and disability insurance programs.
• Programs providing employees time away from work.

Textron Systems is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.