Supplier Readiness and Reliability Engineer / Supplier Development

BAE Systems • Louisville, KY

2d • Remote

About The Position

BAE Systems is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Supplier Readiness & Reliability Engineer to join our team. As a key member of our organization, you will play a critical role in ensuring that our suppliers meet and sustain the required standards for quality, reliability, and performance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in continuous improvement, manufacturing engineering and/or industrial engineering, with experience in process engineering. If selected, you will be responsible for driving supplier excellence and reliability through proactive risk management, continuous improvement, and collaborative engagement with both our suppliers and internal stakeholders. This role requires excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment. Unlike a standard Supplier Quality Engineer who may focus heavily on inspection and compliance, the Supplier Readiness & Reliability Engineer specifically focuses on systemic improvement and coaching suppliers on methodologies that drive operational excellence, quality, on-time delivery, and reliability.

Requirements

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, and six years of related experience, or the overall equivalent
• At least three years of experience specific to manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or a related field, with a focus on process improvement and supplier readiness
• Able to support travel of up to 75% to engage with suppliers at their location
• Experience with Operational Excellence (OE) principles, Process Engineering, and lean tools
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive insights
• Practical experience with quality management systems, including proficiency in core quality and continuous improvement tools and methodologies such as A3, DMAIC, FMEA, APQP, PPAP, SPC, TPM, VSM, Kanban, and GD&T, as well as lean manufacturing principles and techniques like 5S and Value Stream Mapping
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and stakeholders to drive results
• Skilled trainer and facilitator
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Familiarity with industry-specific regulations and standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, Business Continuity (BCM))

Nice To Haves

• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification from an accredited certifying organization with practical experience
• Understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, protective coatings, etc.) and material handling systems commonly used in aerospace and defense or complex manufacturing environments
• Practical experience using the Toyota Production System (TPS) problem solving methodology
• Understanding of supply chain methodologies
• Practical experience with industry-specific regulations and standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, BCM)

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement supplier readiness and reliability plans to ensure compliance with quality, on-time delivery, and performance standards
• Identify and mitigate supplier-related risks through proactive engagement and analysis
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging Operational Excellence (OE) guiding principles, Process Engineering, and Waste Identification and Elimination techniques
• Participate in New Product Development (NPD) to ensure Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles are met and support Product Risk Management activities.
• Develop and review key quality and reliability documents, including: Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) to visualize and understand complex manufacturing processes, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to identify and mitigate potential failures, Control Plans to ensure effective process controls and monitoring
• Develop and document standard work for suppliers and ensure the use of statistical process control (SPC) to monitor and maintain process stability
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to educate and coach suppliers on OE practices, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
• Provide training and hands-on problem-solving support to team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing
• Directly support the Supplier Oversight and Support function, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives
• Utilize excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills to effectively manage multiple priorities and stakeholders

Benefits

• health, dental, and vision insurance
• health savings accounts
• a 401(k) savings plan
• disability coverage
• life and accident insurance
• employee assistance program
• legal plan
• discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance
• paid time off
• paid holidays
• paid parental leave
• military leave
• bereavement leave
• applicable federal and state sick leave
• company recognition program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees