Senior Principal Supplier Quality Engineer

Monarch Quantum•San Diego, CA

5d•$175,000 - $225,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Principal Supplier Quality Engineer. As Monarch Quantum scales, you will be instrumental in building our quality architecture and supplier ecosystem from the ground up. Reporting directly to the Director of Supply Chain, you will serve as the premier technical authority on supplier quality across high-precision commodities critical to our laser light engines and quantum computer system integration. This is a dynamic, high-impact leadership role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You will establish rigorous quality systems, lead cross-functional risk mitigation (DFx), and drive vendor excellence across optics, advanced electronics, fiber optics, and exotic metal fabrications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline (Master’s preferred).
Minimum of 12+ years of progressive supplier quality or quality engineering experience in high-tech, precision hardware environments (optics, photonics, semiconductors, aerospace, or advanced systems).
Deep experience auditing and qualifying vendors for one or more of the following: Precision-machined exotic metals (MoCu, Kovar, Molybdenum) and tight-tolerance CNC/EDM operations. Free-space optics, optical coatings, and fiber optic cable assemblies. Surface-mount technology (SMT) and PWBA assembly standards (IPC-A-610/J-STD).
Mastery of GD&T (ASME Y14.5), ISO 9001/AS9100, SPC, FMEA, 8D problem-solving, and Gage R&R studies.
Demonstrated ability to lead supplier risk reviews, influence senior technical leadership, and work across engineering, operations, and procurement teams.
Ability to travel up to 25–35% (domestic and international) for vendor audits and on-site technical resolution.
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.
Must be a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) due to access to export-controlled information.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.

Responsibilities

Lead the definition and execution of Monarch’s global Supplier Quality Engineering strategy and Quality Management System (QMS) framework from early development through production scale-up.
Serve as the technical expert for 2 or more critical supplier commodities, including optical components (lenses, mirrors, coatings), printed circuit board assemblies (PWBAs), fiber optic cables, and precision-machined parts utilizing exotic materials (MoCu, Kovar, Molybdenum).
Partner closely with Hardware and Manufacturing Engineering during New Product Introduction (NPI) to lead Design for Manufacturability/Quality (DFx), perform Design/Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (D/PFMEA), and establish critical-to-quality (CTQ) specifications.
Interpret complex engineering drawings, technical specifications, optical parameters, and advanced Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) data to align technical intent with supplier manufacturing capabilities.
Design and perform comprehensive onsite process, technical, and system audits for new and existing global suppliers. Direct First Article Inspections (FAI/PPAP) and qualification protocols.
Drive root-cause analyses using structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) for non-conformances, yield issues, and field escapes, ensuring permanent supplier resolution.
Monitor, score, and report supplier quality metrics (SCARs, PPM, yield) to executive leadership. Partner with Supply Chain on dual-sourcing strategy and supplier development initiatives.