Supplier Quality Engineer

Terrica Corporation•Granbury, TX

About The Position

The Supplier Quality Engineer evaluates, qualifies, monitors, and improves third-party suppliers and fabricators to ensure purchased materials, components, and fabricated products meet engineering drawings, purchase requirements, customer specifications, and company quality standards. The role conducts supplier assessments, on-site product and process inspections, manufacturing and fixture validations, and supplier audits. It provides documented assessments to Supply Chain and Quality Management, leads or verifies supplier root-cause investigations, and follows corrective and preventive actions through effectiveness verification. The SQE works collaboratively with suppliers, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality while maintaining independent, evidence-based assessments. The position assesses supplier capability and risk before and during production, monitors performance, and conducts inspections and audits based on risk and applicable requirements. It verifies products, manufacturing fixtures, inspection and testing activities, traceability, and records; identifies and escalates nonconforming work; and supports containment and shipment holds under company procedures. The SQE does not authorize engineering deviations, use-as-is dispositions, or concessions without designated approval. The role also supports supplier nonconformance and corrective-action processes, maintains complete quality records, communicates risks and capability gaps, and works with internal teams on technical questions and risk-based incoming inspection plans. Travel to supplier facilities may be required as business needs require. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Technical diploma, associate degree, or equivalent manufacturing quality experience.
Experience interpreting engineering drawings, tolerances, inspection requirements, and manufacturing processes.
Proficiency in dimensional inspection, measurement systems, inspection planning, and fixture or gauge verification.
Ability to evaluate fabrication, machining, welding, coating, assembly, and supplier process controls relevant to assigned commodities.
Knowledge of audit methods, objective evidence, traceability, calibration, document control, and supplier qualification practices.
Ability to facilitate or critically review 5 Why, fishbone, and other structured root-cause analysis methods and verify corrective-action effectiveness.
Strong written reporting and supplier communication, professional judgment, and ability to manage multiple open actions.
Proficiency with spreadsheets, inspection records, quality databases, and digital reporting tools.
Ability and willingness to travel to supplier facilities as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Engineering or related technical degree.
Three or more years of experience in manufacturing quality, supplier quality, fabrication inspection, machining, welding, or related industrial operations.
Experience conducting supplier audits, managing nonconformance reports, and participating in root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive action.

Responsibilities

Perform pre-award supplier capability assessments and on-site or remote qualification audits, evaluating manufacturing capacity, equipment, personnel competency, inspection capability, quality systems, and relevant certifications.
Assess suppliers against technical, quality, delivery, traceability, and documentation requirements; document findings, risks, actions, and approval recommendations.
Provide written supplier assessment results and risk ratings to Supply Chain and Quality Management while maintaining separation between technical qualification and commercial purchasing decisions.
Monitor supplier performance using defects, nonconformance reports, corrective-action timeliness, audit results, and receiving-inspection trends; recommend reassessment frequency and receiving inspection levels.
Conduct source, first-article, in-process, pre-shipment, and final inspections at supplier facilities as required.
Verify product dimensions, materials, welds, surface condition, coatings, assembly, identification, and required inspection or test records against approved drawings and specifications, within applicable training and qualifications.
Inspect and validate manufacturing fixtures, jigs, gauges, and checking methods for suitability, repeatability, alignment to drawing datums, and documented verification or calibration status.
Witness or review supplier testing and inspection activities, verify traceability and records, and document acceptance status, deviations, and outstanding items before shipment.
Identify and escalate nonconforming work and recommend containment or shipment holds in accordance with company procedures; do not authorize deviations, use-as-is dispositions, or concessions without designated approval.
Plan and execute risk-based audits of supplier manufacturing processes, inspection controls, document and revision control, material identification, equipment calibration, operator qualifications, and subcontracted operations.
Compare actual shop practices with documented procedures, work instructions, inspection and test plans, and contractual requirements; record objective evidence and classify findings.
Confirm suppliers maintain effective in-process controls, inspection records, segregation of nonconforming material, and change-control processes; track audit findings to closure.
Issue or support supplier nonconformance reports and ensure timely containment, affected-lot identification, segregation, and communication of potential escapes.
Lead cross-functional root-cause investigations when assigned, or review and challenge supplier-led investigations for evidence, causal logic, and systemic causes.
Review corrective and preventive action plans for responsibility, due dates, risk, verification methods, and recurrence prevention; coordinate follow-up with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Verify corrective and preventive action implementation and effectiveness through follow-up audits, inspection results, objective records, or defined performance monitoring; escalate overdue or ineffective actions.
Maintain supplier quality records, including audit reports, inspection findings, root-cause and corrective-action evidence, open issues, and closure recommendations.
Communicate supplier risks and capability gaps, report quality performance, and recommend sourcing restrictions to Supply Chain and Quality Management.
Work with Engineering to resolve technical questions, drawing interpretation, fixture requirements, and proposed process changes through authorized channels.
Coordinate with Receiving and the Quality Control Technician Lead on risk-based incoming inspection plans and supplier-specific critical characteristics.
Identify recurring supplier issues and recommend preventive actions, standard improvements, training, or supplier development initiatives.