Manager, Supplier Quality Engineering

AeroVironment•Simi Valley, CA

1d•$117,500 - $179,250•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE Manager) is deployed to a specific Business Unit / area of focus and is responsible for managing the performance of that BU's supplier base. This role reports to the BU Director of Quality, with functional oversight from the Director of Supplier Quality Management. The SQE Manager leads a team of Supplier Quality Engineers, drives supplier performance and corrective action closure, and partners with Global Supply Chain on initiatives to improve cost, quality, and delivery across the shared supplier network. This role requires a strong culture of accountability: holding both suppliers and SQEs to clearly defined performance expectations and following through when those expectations are not met.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Minimum of 7 years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or related roles.
Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience
Working knowledge of AS9100D, AS9102, and AS9145
Strong root cause and corrective action skills (8D, 5-Why, fishbone)
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders across Engineering, Global Supply Chain, and site leadership
Ability to travel up to 30%, both domestic and international

Nice To Haves

ASQ certification (CQE, CQA, CSQP, or CQM)
Six Sigma Green Belt or higher
Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) in an aerospace or regulated manufacturing environment
Familiarity with IPC-A-610 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 workmanship standards
Working knowledge of SPC and other statistical quality tools (e.g., process capability studies, MSA)

Responsibilities

Manage the day-to-day performance and development of a team of Supplier Quality Engineers supporting the assigned BU/area of focus
Own supplier quality performance for the BU: scorecards, escalations, containment, and corrective action closure
Hold suppliers and SQEs accountable to defined performance and quality expectations; escalate and enforce corrective measures (including supplier disqualification or personnel action) when expectations are not met
Partner with BU site leadership on initiatives to improve supplier performance, including quality escapes, delivery risk, process capability, and other initiatives as needed
Establish or mature foundational supplier quality systems and processes (e.g., scorecards, audit cadence, SCAR/corrective action tracking) in BUs or sites that do not yet have them in place
Collaborate with Global Supply Chain on cross-BU initiatives (e.g., supplier consolidation, dual-sourcing, cost reduction, capacity planning) and provide SQE representation into those initiatives
Review and approve supplier corrective action responses (8D, root cause/SCAR) for adequacy and sustainability
Oversee supplier audits and site inspections against AS9100D requirements; ensure findings are tracked to closure
Ensure supplier first article inspection (AS9102) and APQP-equivalent (AS9145) requirements are met for new part introductions, including flow down of applicable design, customer, and regulatory requirements to suppliers
Escalate systemic or repeat supplier issues to BU Director of Quality and Director of Supplier Quality Management
Coach and develop SQEs on technical proficiency, root cause methodology, and professional communication
Provide input on supplier selection, requalification, and disqualification decisions
Perform other duties and tasks as needed