Supplier Quality Engineer

Sherman + Reilly, Inc. is a Chattanooga‑based manufacturer of tools and equipment for the electric utility industry, serving utility companies, cooperatives, and line contractors worldwide. As part of the Quanta Services family, the company combines a century of industry expertise with the resources and stability of a global infrastructure leader. All products are designed, engineered, and manufactured in‑house.

About the role

The Supplier Quality Engineer will manage quality performance for both purchased and in‑house parts. This includes administering the Quality Plan Level (QPL) program, working with Operations on in‑process inspection and non‑conformance disposition, and collaborating across Supply Chain, Engineering, Production, and Service. The role emphasizes developing suppliers through process documentation rather than simply rejecting non‑conforming submissions.

Responsibilities

• Verify that supplier documentation meets QPL program requirements before or at part acceptance and pursue missing or inadequate submissions before they affect production.
• Serve as the primary contact for suppliers on quality requirements and documentation.
• Manage quality issues from discovery through closure, including containment, sorting, disposition, and decisions on return or rework.
• Lead root‑cause analysis with suppliers and drive corrective actions to verified effectiveness.
• Work with suppliers lacking formal process documentation to build it and ensure requirements flow to sub‑tier suppliers.
• Support inspection plan content and acceptance criteria so inspection aligns with part criticality and supplier performance.
• Collaborate with Operations on internal inspection practices, non‑conformance disposition, and root‑cause analysis of in‑house defects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or a related technical field, or equivalent supplier quality experience.
• Three or more years of supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on CMM experience, including programming or operating, and ability to interpret CMM output (datum alignment, form, profile results, measurement uncertainty).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T, and to hold technical discussions with design engineers and supplier manufacturing personnel.
• Structured problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis skills (e.g., 8D, 5‑Why) and working knowledge of supplier quality evidence such as inspection records, material test reports, non‑destructive testing, and functional testing.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with castings, weldments, machined components, or hydraulic assemblies, and familiarity with non‑destructive testing methods.
• Background in a low‑volume, high‑mix, engineered‑to‑order environment.
• Experience building quality documentation alongside suppliers who lack formal quality systems.
• Experience administering inspection plans and quality records in an ERP platform (SAP Business ByDesign preferred).

Benefits

• Scope that combines supplier and internal quality responsibilities on equipment that directly impacts field performance.
• Work on utility infrastructure that is critical to the power grid.
• Location in Chattanooga, TN – recognized for quality of life, outdoor recreation, and lower cost of living.
• Stability and benefits of a Quanta Services company with the agility of a smaller team.
• Opportunity to help build out the quality function with active investment in supplier development, inspection planning, and process documentation.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, and paid time off.