Senior Supplier Development Engineer

Baykar; Fatih; On-site; TRY 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Baykar, Türkiye’s leading technology company, seeks a Senior Supplier Development Engineer to strengthen electronic, mechanical, and structural supply chains. Analyze supplier capabilities, drive cost reductions, and onboard new partners while ensuring quality and delivery.

Collaborate with design, production, and quality teams; excellent data analysis and communication skills are essential. Experience in defense, aviation, or electronics manufacturing, familiarity with FAI and quality

Qualifications

• Engineering graduates with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in defense, aviation, electronics manufacturing, or related fields is preferred.
• Familiarity with First Article Inspection (FAI) and quality standards (ISO/AS) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conduct development projects by analyzing suppliers’ technical and quality capabilities.
• Lead improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction and efficiency enhancement.
• Evaluate and onboard new suppliers from technical, commercial, and operational perspectives.
• Initiate First Article Inspection (FAI) processes and follow through until FAI approval is obtained.
• Collaborate with design and production teams to improve manufacturability and process compliance.

Skills

Supplier development

Data analysis

Project management

Quality systems

English proficiency

Cost reduction

Manufacturing methods

Negotiation

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ERP software

Data visualization tools

Job description

At Baykar, the driving force behind Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative, we develop indigenous and advanced unmanned aerial vehicle systems, creating global impact with proven platforms. With our end-to-end engineering approach—from R&D to production, we continue to deliver groundbreaking projects that push boundaries.

The development of supplier companies involved in the R&D, testing, verification, mass production, and sustainability processes of air vehicles and subsystems designed and developed nationally and originally by Baykar is of critical importance in terms of technical, operational, and quality aspects. The manufacturability, traceability, quality continuity, and on-time delivery performance of electronic, mechanical, and structural systems are directly related to the competency level of suppliers.

The Supplier Development Unit conducts activities aimed at evaluating the technical competencies of supplier companies producing in the fields of electronic, mechanical, and structural systems; identifying areas for improvement; enhancing production and quality processes; increasing capacity and efficiency; reducing nonconformities; and establishing a sustainable supply structure.

Within the scope of unit activities, an engineering-oriented approach is essential—one that can analyze the current state of suppliers on-site across the main categories of electronic, mechanical, and structural systems; monitor quality and production performance through data; and plan and implement necessary actions. The role involves close collaboration with design, production, quality, procurement, logistics, and planning teams. Therefore, a Senior Supplier Development Engineer is expected to possess both strong technical expertise and effective relationship and process management skills.

The primary objective of the Supplier Development Team is to ensure the sustainable procurement of parts and systems required by the company under three main categories—Electronic, Mechanical, and Structural—while meeting the right quality, cost, and delivery criteria, and continuously improving this process to turn it into a strategic advantage. In this context, the team enhances suppliers’ quality and production capabilities, and manages product validation and quality assurance processes. Simultaneously, it monitors suppliers’ delivery and quality performance, enforces corrective actions, and follows up on them.

In line with this objective, the expectation from the Senior Supplier Development Engineer position is to contribute to the aforementioned processes in one of the fields—electronic, mechanical, or structural systems—and to achieve measurable, traceable, and positive outcomes.

• Conduct development projects by analyzing suppliers’ technical and quality capabilities
• Lead improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction and efficiency enhancement
• Evaluate and onboard new suppliers from technical, commercial, and operational perspectives
• Initiate First Article Inspection (FAI) processes and follow through until FAI approval is obtained
• Collaborate with design and production teams to improve manufacturability and process compliance

Universities’ engineering graduates with a base ranking within the top 50,000,

Having at least 4 years of experience in the aviation, automotive, or similar industries, particularly in one or more of the following fields:

Proficient in manufacturing methods such as machining, mechanical assembly, laser cutting, welding, and surface treatment
Knowledgeable in special processes
Competent in electronic circuit components, wiring components, ready-made units, and moving system components
Experienced in FAI (First Article Inspection) studies and familiar with FAI processes
Knowledgeable in production techniques and capable of reviewing and evaluating technical data packages (technical drawings, interface control documents, technical specifications)
Experienced in cost analysis processes
Strong follow-up skills and a high sense of responsibility
Successful in human relations, with strong communication, persuasion, and negotiation skills
Good command of English (speaking, reading, and writing)
Strong analytical thinking and presentation skills; proficient in office and project management software
Possesses analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities
For male candidates, no military obligation
No restrictions for domestic and international travel
Able to adapt to an intensive work pace and flexible working hours

• Experience in defense industry, aviation, electronics manufacturing, or in R&D, Production, Supplier Development, or Quality (Manufacturing) processes
• Knowledge of electronic card production, cabling, box-level wiring, test systems, or electromechanical assembly processes
• Familiarity with IPC, ESD, quality control, traceability, and electronic manufacturing standards
• Experience in supplier audits, process validation, and on-site development projects
• Proficient in using data analysis and data visualization tools effectively
• Knowledge of quality management systems (such as ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.) and the quality/traceability requirements they entail
• Experience in using ERP, production tracking, and action management systems
• Proficient in improvement methodologies such as root cause analysis, 8D, FMEA, and CAPA

Join Türkiye's most talented engineers and immerse yourself in a career of results-driven opportunities, alongside our skilled, dynamic and forward-thinking engineers and corporate managers. Experience a strong team spirit and a culture focused on development and excellence!