Supplier Development Engineer

Philips•Nashville, TN

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Supplier Development Engineer executes targeted supplier development initiatives focused on niche technologies, supplier maturity advancement, Supplier-Owned Quality (SOQ), and First-Time-Right (FTR). The Supplier Development Engineer serves as technical coach and change agent, working directly with selected suppliers and is responsible for driving measurable supplier capability improvements, enabling long-term supplier autonomy, and supporting risk-based decision-making across the supply base.

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Quality Engineering, Safety Engineering, Process Engineering, Continuous Improvement, or a related field, with demonstrated expertise in supplier quality and development within regulated environments.
Strong knowledge of medical device QMS, supplier controls, and regulatory expectations, with the ability to assess complex manufacturing processes, identify risk-based improvement opportunities, and apply sound analytical thinking and professional judgment.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or equivalent, along with formal training in ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 standards.
Effective communicator and relationship builder who can influence and negotiate with external partners, while demonstrating high attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to operate independently in complex supplier environments.
Willing and able to travel up to 50% domestically and internationally to supplier sites and are flexible in working across multiple time zones, while contributing leadership and accountability in driving supplier performance and development initiatives.
Must be able to successfully perform the following minimum Physical, Cognitive and Environmental job requirements with or without accommodation for this position.

Nice To Haves

ISO 17025 or additional certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead technical oversight for high-risk and niche suppliers, conducting deep process and capability assessments to identify systemic risks, resolve complex performance issues through root cause analysis, and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
Drive supplier maturity advancement by performing comprehensive assessments across QMS effectiveness, process capability, and operational performance, and translating findings into prioritized improvement roadmaps aligned with sourcing strategies and long-term business decisions.
Champion Supplier-Owned Quality (SOQ) and First-Time-Right (FTR) principles by enabling suppliers to own quality through robust process controls, real-time monitoring, and risk-based preventive practices integrated into APQP, NPI, and design transfer activities.
Lead strategic supplier development programs and cross-functional initiatives by defining clear objectives, KPIs, and success criteria, while tracking progress, removing barriers, and delivering measurable improvements for critical and strategic suppliers.
Ensure regulatory compliance and continuous capability development by maintaining expertise in evolving QMS standards, supporting audit programs as a subject matter expert, and embedding continuous improvement across supplier quality and development practices.