Supplier Quality Engineer

Actalent · Wichita, KS · 2 wk ago

On-siteQuality Assurance$60–$80/hrContract

About the role

The Supplier Quality Engineer plays a critical role in resolving quality and delivery concerns with key suppliers, ensuring uninterrupted production and long-term performance improvements. This position focuses on analyzing supplier performance issues, driving corrective actions, and implementing robust quality and process improvements across complex engine and avionics supply chains. The role is highly visible, requires extensive travel to supplier sites, and offers the opportunity to transition to a direct position while contributing to strategic supplier development initiatives.

Responsibilities

Visit key supplier sites regularly to analyze performance issues, assess risks, and coordinate comprehensive improvement strategies.
Develop and implement improvement plans that address purchase order alignment, process optimization, and enhancements to supplier quality systems.
Expedite critical parts at key suppliers to remove roadblocks and ensure zero disruption to the production line.
Work with suppliers to establish back-to-purchase-order recovery plans using harmonized lines of balance and maintain daily follow-up on progress.
Align with internal stakeholders in Procurement, Quality, and Operations to prepare a clear mandate for supplier interventions and ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.
Identify supplier improvement and risk mitigation opportunities at key supplier sites and manage the execution of these improvement activities.
Drive execution of supplier performance improvement plans and collaborate with internal and external partners to pursue solutions and close action items.
Create and support supplier development plans focused on quality, delivery, capacity, and supplier process capability.
Provide regular, structured feedback to all relevant stakeholders on supplier support progress and performance.
Conduct thorough onsite capacity and capability reviews at supplier facilities and establish clear action plans to address identified gaps.
Cook up personal work travel plans, including reservations, follow-up, expense claims, and financial review of travel-related activities.
Apply quality assurance and quality engineering principles, including audits, quality control practices, and root cause analysis, to resolve supplier issues.
Support continuous improvement initiatives within the quality department and contribute to long-term resolution of quality concerns with key suppliers.

Requirements

Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in supplier quality, quality assurance, quality engineering, or a closely related manufacturing and production environment.
Strong background in manufacturing and production processes, including experience working with sub-tier suppliers.
Demonstrated expertise in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
Experience working with engine and avionics suppliers and complex aerospace supply chains.
Ability to work extremely independently and engage with new suppliers with minimal supervision.
Proven experience in project planning and coordination involving multiple sectors and stakeholders.
Expert-level computer skills in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across internal and external teams.
Strong customer focus and a high sense of ethics.
Fluency in English, both spoken and written.
Willingness and ability to travel up to 70% of the time to various supplier locations.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Administration, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent experience.
Knowledge of operational and financial management is considered an asset.
Understanding of business relationships and dynamics between suppliers and major aerospace customers.
Experience with audits, quality control, and quality engineering methodologies.
Familiarity with suppliers in the engines and avionics domain, including large OEMs and smaller tier 2 suppliers.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing travel, expenses, and reporting.
Capability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with supplier and internal teams.

Skills

Quality assurance and quality engineering principles.
Root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
Project planning and coordination involving multiple sectors and stakeholders.
Effective communication and collaboration with internal and external teams.
Customer focus and ethical behavior.
Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office tools.
Strong organizational and attention to detail skills.
Ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with supplier and internal teams.

Benefits

Medical, dental & vision coverage.
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage.
401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available.
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents).
Short and long-term disability coverage.
Health Spending Account (HSA).
Transportation benefits.
Employee Assistance Program.
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave).

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $80.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Work Environment

This role is primarily based onsite in the Quality Department, working Monday through Friday from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position involves extensive travel—up to 70% of the time—to various supplier locations for onsite assessments, capacity and capability reviews, and performance improvement initiatives. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, with close interaction between Quality, Procurement, and Operations teams. Work is focused on complex engine and avionics supply chains, requiring frequent engagement with both large and small tier suppliers. Professional business attire is expected when visiting suppliers and participating in onsite meetings.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Wichita, KS.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 2026.