Principal Engineer, Supplier Development

ASM•Phoenix, AZ

22h

About The Position

As a Principal Engineer, Supplier Development, you will serve as a recognized expert in advanced manufacturing and supplier development, partnering across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Product Development, and Strategic Sourcing. You will lead strategic supplier initiatives, assess and improve manufacturing capability, support new product introductions, and help ensure suppliers have the technology, capacity, quality systems, and operational maturity needed to support ASM's growth and innovation objectives. The role involves leading supplier development and continuous-improvement programs, evaluating and qualifying strategic suppliers, supporting manufacturing readiness and production ramps, and addressing supplier technical and operational challenges. You will develop supplier capability roadmaps, influence investment decisions, lead cross-functional initiatives, mentor engineers, and present strategic recommendations and risks to senior leadership. The role requires domestic and international travel of up to 40%, including supplier visits, audits, manufacturing assessments, and business reviews.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
15+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, operations, or related technical fields.
10+ years of experience working directly with strategic suppliers in advanced manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated success leading complex supplier development and supply chain improvement initiatives.
Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up, technology transfers, and new product introductions.
Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment.
Experience within semiconductor, semiconductor equipment, aerospace, medical device, or similarly complex manufacturing industries.
Strong technical leadership and influencing skills.
Ability to solve complex manufacturing and supplier challenges.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution.
Strong business acumen and data-driven decision-making skills.
Passion for continuous improvement and developing organizational capability.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 40%.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred; PhD is a plus.
Semiconductor capital equipment industry experience.
Six Sigma Black Belt, Master Black Belt, ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, or comparable certification.
Experience supporting global supplier networks across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Experience with highly complex electromechanical systems, precision manufacturing, or advanced technology products.
Track record of delivering measurable improvements in supplier quality, operational performance, cost, and manufacturing capability.
Experience in supplier development and supplier quality, advanced manufacturing processes, semiconductor manufacturing technologies, SPC, process capability analysis, Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma, DFM, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, root cause analysis and corrective action, reliability engineering and failure analysis, Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing, capacity planning and manufacturing scalability, supply chain risk management, and cost reduction and value engineering.

Responsibilities

Lead supplier development initiatives focused on quality, manufacturing capability, capacity, delivery performance, and continuous improvement.
Evaluate, qualify, and develop strategic suppliers supporting critical technologies and products.
Conduct supplier assessments, audits, and technical reviews to evaluate manufacturing readiness and process capability.
Partner with engineering and new product introduction teams to ensure supplier readiness for new technologies and production ramps.
Drive implementation of advanced manufacturing practices, including statistical process control (SPC), Lean methodologies, automation, and digital manufacturing initiatives.
Identify and mitigate risks associated with manufacturing scalability, supplier performance, technology readiness, and business continuity.
Lead resolution of complex supplier-related technical and operational issues through structured problem-solving methodologies.
Develop supplier capability roadmaps and drive long-term improvement plans aligned with business objectives.
Influence supplier investment decisions involving manufacturing technologies, equipment, and process improvements.
Lead cross-functional initiatives related to supplier performance, cost optimization, capacity expansion, technology transfer, and operational excellence.
Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across supplier development activities.
Present recommendations, risks, and strategic initiatives to senior leadership.
Conduct regular supplier visits, audits, manufacturing assessments, and business reviews; travel domestically and internationally up to 40%.