Principal Supplier Quality Engineer

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Supplier Quality Engineer. As Monarch Quantum scales, you will play a key hands-on role in ensuring that our supply base meets the exceptional quality standards required for our laser light engines and quantum computing platforms. Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain, you will bridge technical design requirements with vendor capabilities, maintaining direct oversight of critical hardware components. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You will work directly with suppliers of optics, micro-electronics, fiber optics, and exotic metal components to prevent defects, resolve technical issues, and ensure seamless delivery into production (DFx).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field.
Minimum of 8+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or hardware quality engineering in high-precision technology sectors.
Practical quality control experience across key commodity areas: Machining and fabrication of exotic alloys (MoCu, Kovar, Mo).
Precision optical assemblies and optical fiber handling/splicing.
PCBA manufacturing, SMT processes, and IPC standards.
Proficient in GD&T, CMM/optical inspection techniques, FMEA, 8D problem-solving, and ISO 9001 environment controls.
Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interface with technical suppliers and internal engineering teams.
Ability to travel up to 20–30% (domestic and international) to supplier sites.
Creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats - you don't wait for a process to exist; you build it.
Passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.
This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day supplier quality performance for key vendors supplying 2 or more of the following: optics, PWBAs, fiber optic harnesses, and exotic metal components (MoCu, Kovar, Molybdenum).
Interpret complex technical drawings, optical specs, and GD&T tolerances to verify supplier manufacturing readiness and inspection capability.
Execute First Article Inspections (FAI), review supplier manufacturing plans, and lead component qualification activities during New Product Introduction (NPI) phases.
Conduct technical, process, and QMS audits at supplier facilities to verify process controls, cleanroom compliance, and quality systems.
Lead technical root-cause analyses for supplier non-conformances (RMA/MRB) and enforce rigorous Corrective and Preventive Action (8D CAPA) execution.
Track supplier quality metrics (yield, defect rate, delivery quality) and mentor key suppliers to continuously improve technical yield and process control.
Partner closely with Monarch Design Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to drive Design for Manufacturability/Quality (DFx) and resolve integration challenges.