Staff Supplier Quality Engineer - Special Processes

Mainspring Energy•Menlo Park, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Mainspring Energy is scaling production of a first-of-its-kind linear generator, a fundamentally new approach to power generation with the potential to replace combustion turbines globally. As we transition from development into volume manufacturing, supplier quality is a critical lever. This role owns the quality gate for a portfolio of suppliers producing complex components and special process parts from NPI qualification through steady-state production. You will operate with significant autonomy, serve as the subject matter expert on special processes for the broader SQE team, and work cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Materials & Process, and Supply Chain to build quality into the supply chain from the start, not through inspection. This is a senior individual contributor role with real accountability and real scope.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Materials Engineering, or a related technical field required
Minimum 7–10 years of Supplier Quality Engineering experience, with demonstrated progression into roles with independent ownership of supplier qualification programs
Proven experience as a quality decision-maker on PPAP approvals, deviation dispositions, and Supplier Corrective Action Report (SCAR) closure for complex components or assemblies
Experience coaching or mentoring less experienced quality engineers, formally or informally
Deep working knowledge of at least two special processes (welding, coating, heat treatment, brazing, NDT, or electronics/PCBA) at the level of auditing supplier process controls, not just awareness
Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Materials & Process, and Supply Chain to drive quality outcomes without direct authority over those teams
Ability to travel 25–50%, including international travel to APAC suppliers

Nice To Haves

You have successfully launched into volume production complex components and assemblies using advanced quality planning through product development, prototype into mass production
You can thrive in structured and unstructured environments and are not dissuaded at the prospect of making hard decisions about what is important and urgent against a backdrop of limited resources
You have effectively used your background in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) per ANSI Y14.5 to interpret manufacturing drawings and make independent disposition decisions.
You have working knowledge of advanced measurement systems including CMM and laser scanning
You have deep working knowledge of three or more special processes: welding, coating, heat treatment, cladding, thermal spray, electronics/PCBA manufacturing or precision machining at the level of auditing supplier process controls, reviewing process FMEAs, and approving PPAPs.
Automotive, aerospace, or industrial power generation background preferred
You have used data collection, analysis, and dashboarding to inform effective decision making
You have a working knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100 or IATF 16949 quality management system requirements
You have coached or mentored less experienced quality engineers and are comfortable being the person others come to when the problem is hard or the answer is not in the playbook

Responsibilities

Build and maintain trust-based relationships with assigned suppliers, serving as the primary quality point of contact and representing Mainspring's quality expectations clearly and consistently across cultures and geographies, including APAC and international suppliers as we scale
Own the supplier quality gate from New Product Introduction (NPI) through steady-state production, including control plan development, PPAP review and approval, and process capability studies (Cp/Cpk) for assigned suppliers
Issue and drive closure of Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) using structured root cause analysis methodology (8D), holding suppliers accountable to corrective action timelines and validating effectiveness
Review and approve material and process deviation requests from suppliers, coordinating with Materials & Process Engineering and Design Engineering as required
Conduct supplier process audits and site visits to assess compliance to control plans, quality system requirements, and Mainspring standards
Own incoming inspection disposition and NCR management for assigned suppliers, making timely and defensible quality decisions to keep production moving
Maintain SPC monitoring and control plan updates in steady-state production, escalating negative trends before they become escapes
Act as subject matter expert and internal resource for the SQE team on special processes, providing guidance on qualification approaches, audit methodology, and deviation disposition