Supplier Quality Engineer

Sherman and Reilly Inc•Chattanooga, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Sherman + Reilly is hiring a Supplier Quality Engineer in Chattanooga, TN. This role manages quality performance for both purchased parts and internally manufactured components. Responsibilities include administering the Quality Plan Level (QPL) program, which defines documentation and inspection requirements based on part criticality. Internally, the role involves working with Operations on in-process inspection, nonconformance disposition, and addressing defects originating on the production floor. The position reports to the Quality Manager and collaborates with Supply Chain, Engineering, Production, and Service departments. A key aspect of this role is developing the supplier base by assisting suppliers in creating process documentation, rather than simply rejecting submissions. The role offers close proximity to the product, as Sherman + Reilly designs its own parts, operates in a low-volume, high-mix environment, and produces equipment where nonconforming parts can pose safety risks or disrupt critical infrastructure processes. This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy detailed documentation and process analysis and prefer developing supplier relationships over replacing them.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or a related technical field, or equivalent supplier quality experience.
Three or more years of supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
Hands-on CMM experience, including programming or operating, and the ability to interpret CMM output (datum alignment, form and profile results, measurement uncertainty).
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
Capacity to hold technical discussions with both design engineers and supplier manufacturing personnel.
Proficiency in structured problem-solving and root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., 8D, 5-Why).
Working knowledge of supplier quality evidence types, including inspection records, material test reports, non-destructive testing, and functional testing.

Nice To Haves

Experience with castings, weldments, machined components, or hydraulic assemblies.
Familiarity with non-destructive testing methods.
Experience in a low-volume, high-mix, engineered-to-order environment.
Experience building quality documentation alongside suppliers who do not have formal quality systems.
Experience administering inspection plans and quality records in an ERP platform (SAP Business ByDesign preferred).

Responsibilities

Verify that supplier documentation meets QPL program requirements before or at part acceptance and pursue missing or inadequate submissions before they affect production.
Serve as the primary point of contact for suppliers regarding quality requirements and documentation.
Manage quality issues from discovery through closure, including containment, sort, disposition, and return or rework decisions.
Lead root cause analysis with suppliers and drive corrective actions to verified effectiveness.
Collaborate with suppliers who lack formal process documentation to develop it, and ensure requirements extend to their sub-tier suppliers.
Support the development of inspection plan content and acceptance criteria, aligning inspection efforts with part criticality and supplier performance.
Work with Operations on internal inspection practices, nonconformance disposition, and root cause analysis for in-house defects.