Engineer - Supplier Development

Varstaff Staffing; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Varstaff Staffing is looking for an individual to enhance supplier quality and metrics across the supply chain. The role involves managing projects, supplier audits, and ensuring compliance with performance standards.

Applicants should have a B.S. degree in engineering and relevant experience in hardware development. An emphasis on detail, strong technical communication skills, and the ability to drive improvements within supplier environments are crucial for success.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in supplier management and quality improvement.
• Experience in hardware development of complex electronic assemblies.
• Strong understanding of supply chain processes and aerospace manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Improve metrics across the supply chain for quality and delivery.
• Manage supplier workflow and projects in alignment with business needs.
• Lead audits to ensure suppliers meet performance expectations.

Skills

Supplier quality improvement

Project management

Technical communication

Fault tree analysis

Attention to detail

Education

B.S. degree in engineering

Job description

Responsibilities

• Improve quality, cost, delivery, and capacity metrics across the supply chain.
• Create, improve, and implement supplier quality and manufacturing processes.
• Review and understand supplier issues, and recommend the appropriate actions.
• Work closely with receiving, receiving inspection, supplier quality engineer, and assurance to purge suspect/non‑conforming material from inventory and throughout the organization.
• Oversee and be accountable for supplier audits to ensure their ability to meet part performance, delivery, and reliability expectations.
• Develop, analyze, and present process metrics to encourage design for manufacturability, quality, and supply chain improvements.
• Analyze and improve supplier processes for bottlenecks, yield, and rate limiters to meet throughput targets.
• Manage supplier workflow and projects to ensure priorities are aligned with business needs.
• Develop schedules and plans to bring up new parts and processes in the supply chain, and support supplier execution against timelines.
• Lead, track, and improve supplier manufacturing process development and launch readiness for new products and design changes.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve business processes needed for receiving inspection operations, nonconforming hardware management, manufacturing and assembly, product traceability, and other critical business/production systems.
• Work with leadership to develop future business models, establish road maps and measures, and execute long‑term strategic plans.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in engineering required.
• Experience working with product development teams to define, scope, and prioritize design requirements for operational and manufacturing success.
• Experience in hardware development and manufacturing of complex electronic assemblies.
• Experience in technical management of suppliers.
• Experience in implementation of DFx principles in an outsourced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication skills – ability to articulate technical problems to non‑subject matter experts.
• Experience with fault tree analysis and value stream or process flow mapping.
• Ability to learn, grow, and tackle new challenges in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and task ownership, willing to perform low‑level tasks when needed.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or business.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar training/experience.
• Experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, and fault analysis.
• Experience with packaging design, manufacturing, and qualification.
• Experience in tooling bring‑up, machining processes, secondary finish processes, and qualification.
• Experience with Pareto analysis, root cause, and corrective actions.
• Hands‑on experience with metallic, plastic, composite, or electromechanical manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment.
• Has managed planning and technical aspects of product builds through the full product life cycle.

Role Focus

• Supplier recovery and performance improvement (on‑time delivery, shortage resolution).
• Acts as an escalation point across suppliers, engineering, quality, and operations.
• Highly external facing with direct supplier engagement.

Core Requirements

• Engineering degree (required).
• Strong project/program management skills.
• Experience working with suppliers in technical environments.
• Understanding of aerospace product lifecycle & manufacturing processes (machining, welding, testing, etc.).
• Ability to drive technical discussions with suppliers and internal teams.

Ideal Backgrounds

• Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, Process, or Design Engineering.
• Experience improving supplier performance, on‑time delivery.
• Aerospace or similar complex industry strongly preferred, but not required.
• Candidates from fast‑paced environments (e.g., SpaceX, Amazon, large OEMs) highly desirable.

Key Traits

• Strong problem solver with extreme ownership.
• High energy, relentless, and proactive.
• Comfortable managing multiple issues/projects simultaneously.
• Able to influence and challenge stakeholders.

Additional Notes

• Experience sweet spot: 5–10 years (flexible guideline).
• Domestic travel required (supplier sites).
• Overtime possible depending on workload.
• Interview: 1 round, 45–60 min, panel.
• Onboarding: minimal ramp; must hit the ground running.
• Conversion possible but not guaranteed.