Supplier Quality Engineer

Zipline•South San Francisco, CA

19d•$120,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

Zipline is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to own quality performance for assigned suppliers and purchased components, ensuring parts meet engineering requirements and support reliable manufacturing and fleet operations. The role works directly with suppliers and partners with Supplier Industrialization Engineering, Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality to prevent defects, resolve supplier issues, and strengthen manufacturing processes. Responsibilities span new-product readiness, supplier transitions into stable production, and sustained improvements across the product lifecycle. The successful candidate is comfortable on factory floors, investigating technical problems, holding suppliers accountable, and verifying that corrective actions are effective. The role’s impact includes reducing supplier defects and repeat issues, achieving timely containment and verified corrective actions, improving supplier process capability, and maintaining clear visibility into supplier quality risks. The position is 100% on-site in South San Francisco, California, with approximately 10% travel for supplier assessments, quality improvement, and issue resolution. The starting cash range is $120,000–$180,000. Total compensation may also include equity, overtime pay, discretionary annual or performance bonuses, sales incentives, medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, and other benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
At least 5 years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, Supplier Industrialization, or a closely related engineering role in a complex hardware manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated success resolving supplier quality issues through containment, root-cause analysis, corrective action, and effectiveness verification.
Hands-on experience with structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, 5 Whys, and fishbone analysis.
Practical knowledge of APQP, PPAP, first article inspection, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and MSA.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T and translate requirements into effective manufacturing and inspection controls.
Experience assessing supplier manufacturing processes, conducting audits, and driving corrective actions with external partners.
Strong analytical and communication skills, including explaining technical risks, prioritizing competing issues, and communicating progress clearly.
Ability to work independently and build productive relationships across suppliers and internal teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience in aerospace, robotics, automotive, medical devices, or other industries producing hardware with demanding reliability requirements.
Experience with electromechanical assemblies, electric motors, precision machined parts, castings, molded components, electronics, or wire harnesses.
Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949 quality management systems.
Experience supporting new-product introduction, supplier production ramps, or manufacturing transfers.
Proficiency with statistical analysis and quality reporting tools such as JMP, Minitab, Excel, or equivalent platforms.
ASQ certification, Six Sigma certification, or demonstrated application of continuous improvement methods.

Responsibilities

Manage quality performance for assigned suppliers, establish expectations, monitor performance, and drive risk- and trend-based improvement plans.
Coordinate rapid containment of supplier defects across supplier inventory, incoming material, and production; lead investigations into defect occurrence and escape; and verify corrective-action effectiveness.
Partner with Supplier Industrialization Engineering to assess supplier capabilities and review Zipline Part Approval Process evidence, including first article inspections, material certifications, traceability, process controls, and measurement capability.
Review process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, and inspection methods, and confirm controls address critical requirements and are effectively implemented on the production floor.
Work with Incoming Quality Control and Engineering to define inspection criteria and recommend inspection strategies based on part criticality, supplier capability, and performance.
Support new-product builds, production ramps, supplier transfers, and design or process changes; identify quality risks, track readiness gaps, and support closure before affected parts enter production.
Conduct supplier process audits and hands-on improvement activities to reduce defects, scrap, rework, and recurring production disruptions.
Partner with Manufacturing and Reliability teams to investigate supplier-related failures and incorporate lessons into supplier controls and qualification requirements.
Maintain traceable records of supplier quality issues, corrective actions, and qualification evidence by part, revision, and supplier; communicate trends, risks, recovery plans, and decisions needed.