Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer

Agility Robotics Agility Robotics · Robotics · Salem · Operations

This role focuses on driving supplier quality strategy for critical hardware and electromechanical supply chains within a robotics company. Responsibilities include developing supplier quality metrics, qualification methods, audit processes, and development plans to ensure a reliable supplier base. The role involves auditing suppliers, leading part qualification, reviewing supplier DFM, qualifying suppliers for various components, assessing compliance to standards, driving root cause analysis, and analyzing supplier performance data. It requires strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and relevant industry standards.

What you'd actually do

  1. Audit strategic suppliers quality systems and manufacturing processes to ensure selection, qualification, and ongoing approval against internal quality requirements.
  2. Lead part-by-part qualification, PPAP, and FAI through product development, new part introduction, and supplier onboarding.
  3. Review and provide feedback on supplier DFM, control plans, inspection plans, and test strategies for PCBA, electromechanical, and box-build assemblies.
  4. Qualify and monitor suppliers producing PCBA, conformal-coated boards, cable assemblies, harnesses, connectors, sensors, motors, actuators, and integrated electromechanical subassemblies.
  5. Evaluate compliance to relevant electronics and assembly standards, including IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620, and any applicable customer requirements.

Skills

Required

  • Strong understanding of electromechanical manufacturing processes, quality systems, and industrial engineering principles.
  • Deep knowledge of PCBA fabrication and assembly, electromechanical assembly processes, as SMT, wave solder, rework, cabling, and final test.
  • Expert at GD&T and able to interpret mechanical drawings, PCB assemblies, harness drawings, and interface specifications.
  • Familiarity with IPC standards, supplier process audits, and acceptance criteria for electronic assemblies.
  • Strong communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Proficient in quality engineering tools and methodologies.
  • Knowledge of industry standards and regulatory requirements relevant to hardware and electronics manufacturing.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
  • Ability and willingness to travel to U.S. and foreign suppliers 10-50% of the time.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline plus 10+ years of relevant Supplier Quality Engineering experience, or equivalent education and experience.
  • Demonstrated technical expertise in quality engineering principles, tools, and methodologies for hardware, electronics, and electromechanical products.
  • Extensive experience assessing and qualifying suppliers, performing audits, source inspections, driving RCAs, and implementing CAPA.
  • Strong understanding of QMS development, including supplier-facing policies, SOPs, and control requirements.
  • Strong knowledge of NPI quality requirements at the supplier level within a hardware manufacturing company.
  • Extensive experience with quality tools such as FAI, PPAP, CAPA, 8D, FMEA, and risk-based supplier management.
  • Proficiency with analytical applications such as JMP, Minitab, Tableau, Power BI, and Excel.
  • Strong ability to generate and analyze supplier KPI data, present trends, and influence cross-functional decisions.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in a customer-service culture.
  • Ability to work independently while driving projects and influencing suppliers.

Nice to have

  • ASQ certifications such as CQE, CSQP, or CMQ/OE are a plus.
  • Familiarity with Net-Inspect is a plus