Manager, Supplier Quality Engineer
About The Position
Northwood is seeking a Manager, Supplier Quality Engineer, to be the company's first quality-focused hire. This role involves building and scaling manufacturing excellence across a global supply chain. The individual will create Northwood's supplier quality program from scratch, collaborating with engineering and operations to ensure product reliability. Responsibilities include designing scalable systems, defining rigorous standards, and establishing a foundation for a world-class supplier quality organization. As the company grows, this role offers the opportunity to build and lead a team, mentor engineers, and shape how high-reliability hardware moves from concept to production. This is a foundational, high-impact role for someone who thrives in ambiguity and wants to influence company culture and the future of space communications.
Requirements
- 3+ years as a people leader in Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, or Manufacturing Quality roles
- Experience with quality standards and tools (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, PPAP)
- A track record of building or scaling quality systems in low-to-medium volume, high-complexity environments
- Proven success qualifying and managing suppliers and driving measurable performance improvement
- Willingness to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally to engage with our global supply network
Nice To Haves
- Experience in an AS9100 environment
- Background in aerospace, satellite, telecommunications, or defense industries
- Hands-on experience with RF, PCBA, custom enclosures, or electromechanical assemblies
- Familiarity with ERP, PLM, or digital quality management systems
- Experience supporting early-stage product development through production ramp
- Lean Six Sigma or similar certifications
- Strong data fluency - proficiency with SQL or analytics tools for supplier and quality insights
Responsibilities
- Design and launch Northwood’s first supplier quality management system, from process design to documentation and continuous improvement
- Shape the supply base: Identify, qualify, and develop world-class suppliers for RF, PCBA, mechanical, and electromechanical components
- Lead audits, performance reviews, and corrective actions that elevate quality and delivery across our network
- Partner closely with design, manufacturing, and operations on DFM, NPI, and pilot builds - ensuring every part is production-ready
- Define supplier KPIs (quality, cost, responsiveness) and implement real-time visibility tools that drive accountability and progress
- Act as the technical and quality liaison between internal engineering and external suppliers - turning insights into scalable, repeatable success
- Drive supplier readiness for production ramp-ups and capacity expansions as Northwood grows around the world
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (NCR/CAPA) to eliminate defects and strengthen design for manufacturability
- Partner with suppliers on process improvements that cut costs, reduce cycle times, and maximize yields
- Establish quality requirements and flow downs that ensure every product built by our partners reflects Northwood’s commitment to excellence
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
