Senior Supplier Quality Engineer – Supplier Development

Penumbra • Alameda, CA

1d • $119,000 - $166,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are establishing a dedicated Supplier Development capability within Supplier Quality Engineering focused on strategic supply chain initiatives, strengthening supplier capability, and improving long-term supply continuity and resiliency. The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (Supplier Development) will play a key technical role in driving supplier development initiatives through partnership with Strategic Procurement on supplier development efforts and cross-functional programs. This is an opportunity to help shape and grow an emerging organization with visibility, cross-functional influence, and long-term impact to the overall business.
This position is responsible for leading complex supplier development, supplier qualification, capability assessment, and risk reduction activities while helping suppliers improve quality, scalability, process robustness, and readiness to support business growth. The role will provide technical leadership across supplier development programs and influence cross-functional decisions that impact supply continuity and product quality.

Requirements

• BS or MS degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 6+ years of experience in Supplier Engineering, Supplier Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Supplier Quality Engineering, Operations Engineering, or related technical functions.
• Experience leading supplier development, process improvement, supplier value-adds or capability development initiatives.
• Experience working directly with suppliers to resolve technical, quality, or manufacturing challenges.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality organizations.
• Strong technical problem-solving and project leadership skills.
• Ability to independently lead initiatives with broad cross-functional impact.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Medical device or other regulated manufacturing experience.
• Lean or Six Sigma training preferred.
• Experience with supplier diversification efforts, second-source programs, or supplier transfer initiatives.
• Experience leading supplier Kaizens and continuous improvement efforts.
• Experience supporting supplier capability growth, scalability, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Experience assessing manufacturing processes, process capability, and production readiness.
• Experience with global suppliers and complex supply chains.
• Working knowledge of statistical methods, process validation, risk management, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• ASQ CQE, CQA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and/or support supplier capability development initiatives to improve quality, scalability, process robustness, and long-term supplier readiness.
• Execute and support supplier improvement roadmaps and long-term development plans aligned with Strategic Procurement strategies and Technical Operations Engineering priorities
• Drive supplier improvement activities including Kaizen events, process optimization projects, variation reduction efforts, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Perform supplier capability assessments, manufacturing evaluations, and technical due diligence activities
• Support make-versus-buy analyses by providing technical, quality, and manufacturing assessments
• Identify and drive opportunities to improve supplier performance, supply risk, and supplier controls
• Lead supplier qualification activities including process assessments, manufacturing readiness evaluations, and technical reviews.
• Support complex supplier programs including large qualifications, supplier expansion activities, and supplier capability growth efforts
• Lead supplier stabilization and monitoring activities for new suppliers, outsourced processes, or developing supply chains
• Support Strategic Procurement on category strategy and diversification efforts, new supplier identification, qualification, and development initiatives, supply risk reduction initiatives and inspection programs, and evaluation of outsource programs.
• Assess supplier capability, capacity, scalability, and operational risks that could impact supply continuity
• Support supplier segmentation and risk stratification activities
• Participate in subtier supplier assessments and mitigation efforts when appropriate
• Drive technical risk reduction activities for critical suppliers and supply chain initiatives
• Support development of long-term supply continuity and supplier resiliency strategies
• Lead or support cross-functional supplier development projects with broad organizational impact.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for supplier capability and supplier improvement initiatives.
• Apply engineering and quality tools to identify sources of process variation and opportunities for improvement such as supplier kaizens.
• Lead complex root cause investigations and corrective action efforts involving suppliers.
• Mentor Supplier Quality Engineers and cross-functional team members on supplier quality, process capability, and supplier development methodologies.
• Influence decision making across Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality organizations.
• Collaborate closely with Strategic Procurement, Manufacturing Engineering, R&D, Operations, and Quality teams.
• Support new product introductions, supplier transfers, second-source qualifications, and supplier improvement projects.
• Communicate supplier performance, risks, and development opportunities to leadership and project teams.
• Build strong working relationships with suppliers to drive sustainable improvements and long-term partnerships.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid parental leave, eleven paid company holidays per year, a minimum of fifteen days of accrued vacation per year, which increases with tenure, and paid sick time in compliance with applicable law(s).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior