Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Aumovio•New Braunfels, TX

About The Position

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer leads supplier quality performance throughout the series production phase, with responsibility for customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and supplier quality team guidance. The role is a key quality interface for suppliers and leads complex problem-solving, supports new product and facility launches, and promotes implementation of quality systems and best practices in an automotive manufacturing environment. The position works with suppliers and internal cross-functional teams to improve quality, manage audits and escalations, validate components and suppliers, and achieve plant quality targets. It also mentors Supplier Quality Engineers and Quality Technicians and supports team capability and resource planning. The expected annual salary range is $75,000–$97,000, depending on experience, and the position is eligible for a variable incentive program. Travel as needed to support operations is approximately 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.
At least 2 years of experience in supplier quality management.
Knowledge of VDA 6.3 standards.
Ability to travel as needed to support operations (approximately 10%).
Must wear company-provided ESD safety-toed shoes, a smock, and other required PPE in designated areas.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, reach, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment.

Nice To Haves

Preferably 5 years of experience in supplier quality management.
Leadership experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary quality interface for key suppliers, leading quality reviews, customer and supplier visits, audits, APQP, PPAP approvals, warranty management, and escalations.
Lead complex problem-solving and continuous improvement using A3, 8D, Six Sigma, 5-Why, 7-Step, and other structured methodologies; coordinate cross-functional root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and effectiveness verification.
Establish and execute quality improvement strategies to meet plant targets for Yield, DPMO, COPQ, PPM, customer complaints, and warranty performance; monitor KPIs and report regularly to management.
Lead validation and qualification activities for new components and suppliers, including reviewing and approving test methods, validation plans, and reliability studies.
Drive supplier quality improvement through performance reviews, audits, corrective action management, and supplier development.
Support and lead internal, customer, and third-party audits to ensure compliance with IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, customer-specific requirements, and company quality management systems.
Work with Design Engineers and customers in early program stages to determine testing needs and recommend components that can improve product quality or reliability.
Communicate component quality test outcomes verbally and in writing to customers, engineers, and management.
Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and program management to identify quality risks, improve process capability, reduce variation, and support business objectives.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to Supplier Quality Engineers and Quality Technicians, supporting effective execution of quality processes and team development.
Escalate and manage critical supplier quality issues affecting production or customers.
Lead cross-functional teams involving Manufacturing, Logistics, and Supplier Development.
Coach and support team members handling complex supplier quality issues, customer escalations, and new component and supplier launches.
Support resource planning and workforce development to ensure adequate capability and capacity.