Supplier Engineer

About the role

Firehawk Aerospace is pioneering the development of additively manufactured rocket propulsion systems, combining advanced manufacturing techniques with innovative engineering to deliver safer, more reliable, and cost-effective solutions for aerospace and defense. We are seeking a talented Supplier Engineer to join our team and help shape the future of rocket motor manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the focal point for supplier quality, development, manufacturing, and sustainment
• Lead supplier hardware and process development and qualification activities
• Manage supplier performance and compliance in accordance with Firehawk’s AS9100 certified QMS as well as DoD and customer specific flowdown requirements and regulatory standards
• Partner with Supply Chain and Engineering to address supplier risks, performance issues, and process capability gaps
• Analyze supplier metrics and performance trends to drive continuous improvement within the supply base to improve quality, delivery, and compliance
• Support quality planning activities including receiving inspection planning, supplier control plans, risk assessments, and quality clauses flowdown
• Support supplier's manufacturing and production readiness reviews, identifying risks and driving corrective actions
• Investigate supplier escapes and ensure thorough root cause analysis is performed with effective corrective and preventative actions
• Conduct supplier audits, assessments, and surveillance activities
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits, ensuring compliance with AS9100 and internal QMS procedures
• Support development and maintenance of quality documentation and work instructions
• Provide technical guidance to junior quality engineers and cross-functional team members

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in aerospace and defense manufacturing
• Prominent ability to work independently and lead cross-functional initiatives
• Demonstrated experience in a supplier quality role
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T
• Experience with AS9100 / ISO 9001 and aerospace and defense customer requirements
• Experience using structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g. 8D, 5Why)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including customer and supplier interaction
• To obtain and maintain a security clearance, must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

Work Requirements

• Combination of office and manufacturing floor with periodic travel for supplier visits
• Demonstrated experience leading hardware and process qualification activities within the defense industry
• Familiarity with R&D manufacturing in the aerospace and defense industry
• Demonstrated experience in program quality roles
• Experience supporting internal, customer, and third-party audits
• Experience with MRB participation and authority
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, and risk-based quality tools
• ITAR Requirements: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State