Supplier Quality Engineer

Flex•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Supplier Quality Engineer will be based in Austin, Texas and report to Paola Flores. This role is responsible for supplier development in manufacturing or service processes, working with suppliers to continuously improve performance, implement process controls, and develop quality assurance plans. The engineer supports supplier selection, qualification, approval, development, and ongoing quality improvement to meet customer and business requirements. The role includes evaluating supplier quality, capability, pricing, delivery, and regulatory considerations; qualifying new suppliers through capability matching, risk assessments, self-assessments, and onsite audits; and managing supplier qualification information. The engineer also supports component qualification and PPAP/FAI documentation, pilot runs, supplier corrective actions, production transfers, audits, continuous improvement programs, engineering changes, and resolution of supplier quality issues. The position works across functions and with suppliers to assess process controls, conduct audits and capability studies, guide validations and tests, analyze performance data, improve processes, manage supplier changes, and support receiving inspection. It also involves supporting material review board resolutions, identifying risks in new products and processes, monitoring dock-to-stock performance, and maintaining supplier management processes and tools.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field.
Typically, 4 years of engineering experience in the high technology electronics industry or a related field.
Experience with AS9100.
Experience using quality problem-solving tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa/fishbone analysis.
Knowledge of manufacturing processes, applications, and process development for improving supplier quality.
Advanced functional and technical skills and basic process skills.
Ability to safely and skillfully operate job-related equipment.
Potential use of electronic assembly tools and references, including color codes, components, and schematics.
Potential experience with PCB operations.
Potential use of testing equipment and methods, including oscilloscopes, cable and harness testing, troubleshooting, component testing, and logic analyzers.
Potential experience with inspection of bare boards, systems, components, cables and harnesses, and use of microscopes and measuring tools.
Potential use of mechanical and electrical tools, including taps and dies, alignment tools, and measuring tools.

Responsibilities

Select suitable suppliers with sourcing teams based on quality, capability, pricing, delivery, environmental and social regulations, and customer requirements.
Qualify new suppliers through capability matching, risk assessment, supplier self-assessment, onsite qualification audits, and qualification database management.
Provide value-added engineering feedback based on customer drawings and specifications to optimize supplier manufacturing processes or products.
Qualify materials and components, including PPAP/FAI documentation such as material certificates, control plans, FMEA, MSA, process parameter sheets, RoHS compliance, reliability testing, and COC.
Track quality performance of newly qualified parts during pilot runs and drive supplier corrective actions through pilot production and transfer to mass production.
Serve as a subject matter expert for supplier quality hot issues and troubleshooting.
Support annual maintenance audits for existing suppliers.
Support supplier continuous improvement programs using quality tools to improve manufacturing processes and product quality.
Manage customer ECO/ECN/SCR changes and follow up to ensure PPAP/FAI is completed before production when required.
Conduct supplier quality audits to verify conformance with ISO and regulatory standards.
Build and maintain working relationships with purchasing engineers and suppliers.
Provide cross-functional support to select, approve, and develop suppliers according to customer and business needs and applicable vendor guidelines.
Assess the effectiveness of supplier process control plans, measures, and activities.
Use statistical techniques and professional judgment to research data and drive process improvement.
Develop and guide process validations and tests, analyze results, and document protocols and reports.
Guide supplier process capability studies and construct design of experiments to characterize processes or identify root causes.
Develop and implement procedures for new or improved supplier processes.
Support Receiving Inspection with statistical research, measurement systems analysis, Gage R&R studies, and inspection procedures.
Participate in Material Review Board resolutions for supplier-provided parts and services.
Participate in supplier Quality System Improvement Plans and guide Supplier Requests for Change.
Perform corrective and preventive actions with suppliers; research nonconformances and supplier performance indicators.
Perform dock-to-stock monitoring and part selection activities.
Guide project teams on supplied component and supplier qualifications and identify risks or hazards related to new product designs, processes, suppliers, and applications.
Operate job-related equipment safely and skillfully.
Rate and track supplier performance and drive supplier continuous improvement.
Establish and maintain supplier management processes and tools.