Supplier Development Engineer - AMT

Zenix Aerospace Inc•Arlington, WA

8d•$75,000 - $92,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for developing and sustaining a high-performing global supply base in support of complex aerospace programs. This role operates within a Tier 1 environment, directly supporting major OEM customers, and is accountable for ensuring suppliers meet stringent quality, delivery, cost, and regulatory requirements across the full product lifecycle. The SDE acts as a key interface between internal program teams and external suppliers, driving advanced manufacturing capability, production readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives critical to program execution.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in supplier development, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or operations within aerospace or regulated manufacturing.
Strong knowledge of Tier 1 requirements and OEM expectations.
Expertise in AS9100 Quality Management Systems
Expertise in APQP, PPAP, FAI (AS9102)
Expertise in Root Cause & Corrective Action (8D, DMAIC)
Expertise in Lean Manufacturing principles
Expertise in MRP
Expertise in EXCELL
Technical depth: Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and production systems.
Leadership & influence: Ability to drive change across independent supplier organizations.
Program mindset: Experience managing supplier performance in a high-pressure, schedule-driven environment.
Analytical rigor: Data-driven decision making with strong problem-solving capabilities.
Communication: Effective engagement with executive stakeholders and shop-floor teams alike.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of supplier capability strategies aligned with Tier 1 program requirements and OEM expectations.
Identify, assess, and onboard suppliers for complex components and assemblies (machining, composites, special processes).
Perform in-depth technical and operational supplier assessments including capacity, process maturity, and scalability.
Support New Product Introduction (NPI), rate readiness, and production ramp-ups for key programs.
Ensure suppliers are fully prepared for production through PPAP (as applicable), and First Article Inspection (FAI) processes.
Own supplier performance, focusing on: Delivery (OTD, lead time, schedule adherence) and Cost competitiveness.
Lead supplier recovery efforts and escalation management for at-risk suppliers impacting production or customer commitments.
Conduct executive-level supplier business reviews and manage continuous improvement roadmaps.
Participate or Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities using structured methodologies (5 Why).
Support audit readiness and participate in customer and regulatory audits impacting the supply base.
Lead cost reduction and productivity initiatives (VA/VE, should-cost modeling).
Identify and mitigate risks related to capacity constraints, single-source dependencies, financial instability, and geopolitical factors.
Develop contingency plans, dual sourcing strategies, and capacity expansion initiatives.
Support crisis management and rapid response to supply chain disruptions.
Partner with Program Management, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations to ensure alignment on supplier readiness and performance.
Influence sourcing decisions through data-driven insights and supplier assessments.
Act as a technical advisor and escalation point for supplier-related issues across programs.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision
Health Savings Account
Supplemental Benefits
Basic Life Insurance
Voluntary Employee, Spouse or Child Life Insurance
Long-term Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Shift Premiums for Weekend Shifts - work 33 hours, paid for 40 (weekend night shift) or work 36 hours, paid for 40 (weekend day shift)
Shift Differentials - $4.00 per hour (weekday night shift), $2.00 per hour (weekend day shift), $4.00 per hour (weekend night shift)
401k
PTO
80 hours of paid holiday per calendar year