Supplier Quality Engineer

SQA Services•Garden City, NY

About The Position

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) ensures externally supplied materials, components, special processes, and assemblies meet aerospace quality, regulatory, customer, and contractual requirements. Acting as the primary quality liaison between the organization and its suppliers, the SQE drives supplier performance, risk mitigation, continuous improvement, and compliance with aerospace Quality Management System requirements. The role works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Program Management, and suppliers to support product conformity, supplier development, and on-time delivery of high-quality aerospace products. The role includes evaluating, qualifying, and approving suppliers; conducting supplier audits and surveillance; reviewing supplier quality documentation; addressing supplier nonconformances; and verifying corrective actions. It also supports supplier improvement initiatives, regulatory and customer audits, new product introduction, production transfers, and cross-functional resolution of supplier-related quality issues. The position involves frequent interaction with domestic and international suppliers, work in both office and shop environments, and up to 25% travel for supplier audits, assessments, source inspections, and development activities. Compensation is $60–$70 an hour. The position requires access to ITAR-controlled technical data and/or defense articles, and the employee must be ITAR compliant.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
At least 5 years of quality engineering, supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or aerospace quality experience.
Experience working in AS9100-certified environments.
Experience with aerospace manufacturing processes, such as machining, assembly, composites, castings, forgings, or special processes.
Strong understanding of AS9100, AS13100, and AS9102.
Strong understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing).
Knowledge of PPAP/APQP principles, Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), risk-based thinking, and quality management systems.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and aerospace standards.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and supplier relationship management capabilities.
Effective project management and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced aerospace environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and quality management systems.
Must be ITAR compliant due to access to ITAR-controlled technical data and/or defense articles.

Nice To Haves

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certification from ASQ.
Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) certification from ASQ.
Certified Lead Auditor training.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
NADCAP auditing experience.
Experience with QT9 QMS Software suite.
Experience with ERP and Quality Management Systems, including Oracle.
Experience supporting FAA, DoD, or commercial aerospace customers.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, qualify, and approve new suppliers in accordance with AS9100, customer requirements, and company quality standards.
Conduct supplier audits, assessments, and surveillance to ensure compliance with applicable aerospace requirements.
Monitor supplier performance using metrics including PPM, defect rates, audit findings, and corrective action effectiveness.
Provide quality risk assessments to support supplier selection and sourcing activities.
Review and approve supplier quality documentation, including AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports, process flow diagrams, PFMEAs, control plans, inspection plans, and process certifications.
Verify supplier compliance with engineering drawings, specifications, standards, and customer requirements.
Ensure supplier adherence to special process requirements, including NADCAP-accredited processes when applicable.
Lead investigations of supplier nonconformances and quality escapes.
Facilitate root cause analysis using methods such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone Diagram, and Fault Tree Analysis.
Review and approve supplier corrective action requests (SCARs), and verify implementation and effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.
Drive supplier improvement initiatives to enhance quality, delivery, and process capability.
Analyze supplier performance data and establish improvement plans for underperforming suppliers.
Collaborate with suppliers to reduce variation, improve manufacturing processes, and implement best practices.
Support Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives across the supply chain.
Ensure supplier compliance with AS9100, AS9102, applicable FAA regulations, customer-specific aerospace requirements, and ITAR/EAR export controls as applicable.
Support internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
Partner with Engineering, Procurement, Operations, and Program Management to resolve supplier-related quality issues.
Participate in design reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, and risk assessments.
Support new product introduction (NPI) and production transfer activities.
Travel for supplier audits, assessments, source inspections, and development activities as required, up to 25%.
Work in both office and shop environments.