Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Infinitum•Austin, TX

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

Infinitum Electric is a technology company pioneering the next generation of axial flux electric motors — lighter, more efficient, and more sustainable than conventional motor designs. Our supply chain spans contract manufacturers, magnet suppliers, PCB manufacturers, and precision machining partners across the US, Mexico, and Asia. As we scale rapidly in revenue, the quality of our supply base is directly linked to our ability to deliver reliable, world-class products to our customers. The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for developing, managing, and continuously improving the quality performance of Infinitum's supplier base — with particular focus on critical and high-risk suppliers. This role leads supplier qualification, audit programs, incoming quality controls, supplier corrective action management, and collaborative supplier development activities. The Senior SQE acts as both a quality gate and a lean development partner for Infinitum's supply chain — ensuring that supplier capability grows in step with Infinitum's product quality demands.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field
5–8 years of experience in supplier quality engineering in a manufacturing environment — with demonstrated experience managing supplier relationships, conducting audits, and driving corrective actions
Hands-on experience conducting supplier process audits and quality system assessments
Proficiency with core quality tools: FMEA, control plans, MSA/Gage R&R, SPC, 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa
Experience with first article inspection (FAI) processes and incoming inspection plan development
Strong analytical skills ability to interpret supplier quality data, identify trends, and develop data-driven corrective action priorities
Excellent communication skills — able to work constructively with suppliers across cultural and language boundaries, and to escalate supplier risks clearly to internal leadership
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 40% of the time

Nice To Haves

Experience in electric motors, power electronics, magnetics, or precision electromechanical manufacturing
Experience auditing and developing suppliers in Asia
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP), or equivalent
Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt)
Experience with magnet suppliers, PCB manufacturers, or precision machined component suppliers
Familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100 quality management system standards
Experience with ERP-integrated supplier quality management systems
Knowledge of lean accounting and total cost of quality frameworks applied to supplier performance evaluation

Responsibilities

Own the quality performance of assigned suppliers — tracking incoming defect rate (PPM), on-time delivery, corrective action closure rate, and audit findings across a defined supplier portfolio
Maintain supplier scorecards and lead periodic supplier quality review meetings — driving accountability and continuous improvement in supplier performance
Establish and enforce incoming inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and control plans for critical components including magnets, PCBs, stator assemblies, and precision machined parts
Manage supplier quality escapes — initiating containment, leading or coordinating root cause investigation, and driving permanent corrective action through verified closure
Monitor supplier quality trends and proactively escalate systemic risks before they affect production or customers
Lead new supplier qualification activities including quality system assessments, process audits, first article inspection (FAI), and approval decisions
Conduct on-site supplier audits — process audits, system audits, and layered process audits — at domestic and international supplier locations
Develop supplier lean and quality capability through joint improvement activities — including Kaizen Events, VSM exercises, A3 problem solving, and SMED workshops conducted at supplier facilities
Work with suppliers to implement pull systems, visual management, standard work, and statistical process control where deficiency has been identified
Assess and develop Tier 2 supplier quality capability in coordination with Tier 1 strategic partners
Design and maintain incoming inspection sampling plans based on supplier risk level, historical performance, and component criticality
Work with receiving and production teams to ensure incoming material is properly identified, inspected, and dispositioned — with clear quarantine and hold processes for nonconforming material
Drive suppliers toward certified supplier status (skip-lot or ship-to-stock) as their quality performance matures and data supports reduced incoming inspection
Manage nonconforming material disposition including use-as-is decisions, rework, return to supplier, and scrap — with appropriate engineering review and documentation
Issue Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) for quality escapes, audit findings, and systemic performance issues — with clear problem statements, root cause requirements, and response timelines
Review and approve supplier 8D corrective action responses challenging superficial root cause analysis and requiring systemic corrective actions, not symptom-level fixes
Track open SCARs through to verified effectiveness — not closing actions until sustained improvement is demonstrated with data
Analyze SCAR trends to identify recurring failure modes, systemic supplier weaknesses, and opportunities for proactive intervention
Partner with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams on new product introductions to ensure supplier quality requirements are defined, communicated, and controlled from the earliest design stages
Contribute to FMEA development and control plan creation for components sourced from the supply base
Support the Infinitum Quality Management System (QMS) by maintaining supplier quality records, audit reports, and qualification documentation in compliance with applicable standards
Represent supplier quality in design reviews, engineering change notifications (ECNs), and material review board (MRB) activities
Participate in the development and improvement of supplier quality procedures, work instructions, and supplier quality manual requirements