Supplier Quality Engineer

Flex•Austin, TX

About The Position

The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for supplier development in manufacturing or service processes. The role works with suppliers to improve performance, implement process controls, and develop quality assurance plans. It supports supplier selection, qualification, approval, ongoing quality performance, and continuous improvement in line with customer and business requirements. The position works cross-functionally with sourcing, purchasing, receiving inspection, and project teams, and reports to a role not specified in the posting. The engineer evaluates supplier processes and products, performs audits and quality assessments, supports component qualification and pilot runs, and helps resolve supplier-related quality issues. The role also guides process validations, capability studies, experiments, corrective and preventive actions, and supplier change processes. It requires engineering experience in high-technology electronics or a related field and may involve electronic assembly, testing, inspection, and mechanical or electrical tools. The posting lists medical, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; short- and long-term disability; matching 401(k) contributions; vacation and paid sick time; and tuition reimbursement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field is typically required.
Typically requires 6 years of engineering experience in the high-technology electronics industry or a related field.
Advanced operations, technical, people and/or process skills, and customer relationship skills for external and internal customers.
Expert knowledge of the function and thorough understanding of Flextronics and related business.
Knowledge of multiple functional technologies, processes, industries, or functions and their interdependencies at the site.
Ability to use relevant electronic assembly tools and references, including color codes, components, and schematics.
May require experience with various PCB operations.
Ability to use testing equipment and methods such as oscilloscopes, cable and harness testing, troubleshooting, component testing, and logic analyzers.
Ability to perform inspection involving bare boards, systems, components, cables and harnesses, microscopes, and measuring tools.
Ability to use mechanical and electrical tools such as taps and dies, alignment tools, and measuring tools.

Responsibilities

Select suitable suppliers in collaboration with sourcing, considering quality, capability, pricing, delivery, environmental and social regulations, and customer requirements.
Qualify new suppliers through capability matching, risk assessment, self-assessment, onsite audits, and qualification database management.
Review customer drawings and specifications and provide value-added engineering proposals to optimize supplier processes or products.
Implement component qualification and PPAP/FAI, including applicable certificates, control plans, FMEA, MSA, process parameter sheets, RoHS compliance, reliability tests, and certificates of conformity.
Track supplier quality performance for newly qualified parts during pilot runs, drive corrective actions, and support transfer to mass production.
Act as a subject matter expert for supplier quality issues and troubleshooting.
Support annual maintenance audits of existing suppliers.
Support supplier continuous improvement programs using quality tools.
Manage customer ECO/ECN/SCR changes and follow up on any required PPAP/FAI before production.
Apply knowledge of manufacturing processes, applications, and process development to improve the quality of supplied goods and services.
Perform supplier quality audits to verify compliance with ISO and regulatory standards.
Work with purchasing engineers and suppliers to maintain effective supplier relationships.
Provide cross-functional support to select, approve, and develop suppliers to meet customer and business needs.
Ensure supplier selection, development, approval, and rejection follow applicable vendor guidelines and requirements.
Assess the effectiveness of supplier process control plans, measures, and activities.
Use statistical techniques and professional judgment to research data and improve processes.
Develop and guide process validations and tests, analyze resulting data, and document protocols and reports.
Guide supplier process capability studies and construct Design of Experiments to characterize supplier processes or investigate root causes.
Develop and implement procedures for new or improved supplier processes.
Support Receiving Inspection with statistical research, measurement-system analysis, Gage R&R studies, and inspection procedures.
Participate in Material Review Board resolutions concerning supplier-provided parts and services.
Participate in supplier Quality System Improvement Plans.
Guide the Supplier Requests for Change process.
Perform corrective and preventive actions with suppliers.
Research non-conformances and supplier performance for key performance indicators.
Perform dock-to-stock monitoring and part-selection activities.
Guide project teams on supplied-component and supplier qualifications.
Guide teams in identifying risks and hazards related to new product designs, processes, suppliers, and applications.
Operate job-related equipment skillfully and safely.
Rate and track supplier performance and drive supplier continuous improvement.
Establish and maintain supplier management processes and tools.