Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - Manufacturing

Crusoe•Brighton, CO

1d•$100,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for developing, managing, and continuously improving supplier quality performance to ensure purchased components, materials, and subcontracted processes consistently meet defined quality, reliability, delivery, and regulatory requirements. Serving as the primary Quality interface between the company, suppliers, subcontractors, Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Operations, this role drives supplier qualification, New Product Introduction (NPI), process validation, corrective actions, supplier performance improvement, and continuous improvement across the supply base.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related field.
3+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, Quality Engineering, or a related field, with direct experience working with manufacturing suppliers and subcontractors.
Strong knowledge of quality tools and problem-solving methodologies including PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, 8D/RCCA, CAPA, and process audits.
Proven ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, technical specifications, and inspection requirements.
Strong analytical capabilities to evaluate process capability, statistical data, and complex manufacturing defects.
Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Operations, and external supply partners.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external executives.
Willingness and ability to travel to supplier facilities as required.
Mandatory participation in company safety, background check, drug, and alcohol programs is required.

Nice To Haves

ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP), or similar designation.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
Experience with PPAP/APQP and structured automotive or aerospace quality methodologies.
Experience with special processes such as welding, machining, fabrication, casting, forging, sheet metal, coating, or electrical assembly.
Experience with ERP/QMS software platforms and supplier quality dashboards.
Experience scaling supplier quality in high-growth manufacturing, NPI/ramp environments, or managing strategic subcontractors.

Responsibilities

Own quality performance for assigned suppliers and commodities.
Establish and maintain supplier quality requirements, specifications, and quality agreements.
Monitor performance using defined KPIs, scorecards, and metrics while identifying risks and mitigation plans.
Partner with Procurement and Engineering on supplier selection, development, and exit decisions.
Participate in supplier qualification and selection.
Conduct quality assessments, process audits, capability evaluations, and evaluate manufacturing processes, quality systems, and controls.
Develop targeted improvement plans to bridge capability, capacity, and maturity gaps.
Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and suppliers during NPI.
Review drawings, specifications, GD&T, CTQs, PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, MSA, SPC, and inspection plans.
Drive DFM/DFA/DFR reviews, lead process validation, approve FAI/FAIR and PPAP submissions, and ensure production ramp readiness.
Perform process audits and manufacturing evaluations.
Establish inspection and testing requirements based on product risk.
Drive implementation of SPC, mistake-proofing, standardized work, and robust process controls, shifting suppliers from inspection-based quality toward prevention-focused quality.
Lead supplier-related nonconformance investigations.
Drive containment, root-cause analysis, corrective action, and preventive action (8D, CAPA, RCCA).
Verify effectiveness of corrective actions to prevent recurrence and track issues through closure.
Plan and execute risk-based supplier quality audits (process, product, system, special-process).
Develop audit findings, oversee corrective-action plans, verify closure, and support internal, customer, and regulatory audits involving suppliers.
Develop and maintain quality metrics including incoming defect rates/PPM, NCR rates, FPY, CAPA closure, process capability ($C_p$/$C_pk}$), COPQ, escape rates, and audit performance.
Leverage data to identify systemic trends and continuous improvement opportunities.
Partner with Receiving and Incoming Inspection to establish risk-based inspection requirements, acceptance criteria, and disposition nonconforming materials.
Work with Manufacturing Quality to resolve supplier-originating defects and reduce incoming inspection burdens through demonstrated supplier process capability.
Review and approve supplier process, material, equipment, tooling, location, and sub-tier supplier changes.
Ensure appropriate qualification, validation, risk assessment, change control documentation, and traceability before implementation.
Lead supplier quality improvement projects using Lean Six Sigma and structured problem-solving methodologies.
Reduce defects, scrap, rework, and supplier-related COPQ while promoting prevention-focused quality.