Vendor Quality Engineer

nLIGHT • Longmont, CO

35d • $90,000 - $150,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Vendor Quality Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring that external suppliers meet the organization’s standards for quality, capability, and performance. This position partners closely with internal engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to develop robust supplier relationships, drive continuous improvement, and support the successful introduction of new products. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/. Please review this information before applying.

Requirements

• Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or supply chain engineering.
• Strong understanding of quality tools (e.g., FMEA, SPC, 8D, PPAP).
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed.
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain required.
• Possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain quality expectations for suppliers, including specifications, inspection criteria, and performance metrics.
• Monitor supplier performance through data analysis, scorecards, and regular reviews.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action activities to resolve supplier-related quality issues.
• Translate engineering, regulatory, and contractual requirements into clear, actionable flow-downs for suppliers.
• Ensure suppliers understand and comply with all technical documentation, standards, and process requirements.
• Collaborate with internal teams to maintain accurate and complete supplier documentation packages.
• Oversee the identification, containment, and disposition of non-conforming supplier material.
• Facilitate Material Review Board (MRB) activities and ensure timely closure of non-conformance reports.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurrence.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes, technologies, and capacity to ensure alignment with current and future business needs.
• Identify risks and opportunities within supplier operations and recommend improvement strategies.
• Support supplier selection decisions through technical assessments and capability audits.
• Plan, execute, and document supplier audits focused on quality systems, process controls, and compliance.
• Track audit findings and verify effective implementation of corrective actions.
• Maintain audit schedules and support supplier development initiatives.
• Collaborate with design engineering to ensure manufacturability and supplier readiness for new product designs.
• Lead supplier engagement during prototype builds, pilot runs, and production ramp-up.
• Validate supplier processes through PPAP, FAI, or equivalent qualification activities.

Benefits

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid Holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100%
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level