Principal Supplier Quality Engineer

Cordis; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Cordis, in partnership with Selution, seeks a Principal Supplier Quality Engineer to ensure supplier and component quality for drug-device products. You will lead supplier qualification, audits, non-conformances, corrective actions, and risk mitigation while collaborating with R&D and commercial teams to support development and commercialization.

Based in Irvine, CA, travel up to 20% is required. A Master’s degree and Lead Auditor certification are preferred, with 8+ years in supplier quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in supplier quality engineering or related roles.
• Strong knowledge of supplier qualification, component validation, and quality systems.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and SCAR processes.
• Knowledge of ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820 (QMSR), ISO 14971, EU MDR, and MDSAP.
• Lead Auditor certification required.
• Able to travel up to 20% for supplier audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification for new suppliers and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Perform supplier assessments, audits, and technical reviews.
• Qualify components and ensure adherence to product specifications.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews with KPIs.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions and supplier audits.
• Provide guidance on quality expectations and compliance improvements.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations, and Commercial teams.
• Act as liaison between suppliers and internal teams.

Skills

Problem-solving

Analytical

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Overview

Selution, in partnership with Cordis, specializes in the development of groundbreaking technology and commercialization of advanced drug-device combination products for the treatment of coronary and peripheral artery disease. Our mission is to revolutionize healthcare by creating next-generation solutions that address unmet and critical medical needs.

Responsibilities

The Principal Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) will be responsible for ensuring the quality and compliance of suppliers and components used in the company’s products. This role involves qualifying new suppliers, assessing component quality, managing supplier performance, resolving non-conformances, driving corrective actions, and conducting supplier audits. The Principal SQE will also collaborate closely with R&D and commercial teams to mitigate risks and ensure smooth project execution.

Job Summary And Responsibilities

Supplier Qualification & Component Approval

• Lead the qualification process for new suppliers and ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards.
• Perform supplier assessments, audits, and technical reviews to verify capabilities.
• Qualify components and ensure adherence to product specifications and performance criteria.

Supplier Performance & Compliance Management

• Conduct periodic supplier performance reviews, tracking KPIs such as quality, delivery, and compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to enhance quality and reliability.
• Address and resolve supplier-related quality issues, ensuring timely corrective and preventive actions.

Non-Conformance & Corrective Action Management

• Investigate supplier non-conformances and collaborate on root cause analysis.
• Manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) and ensure effective resolution.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies to prevent recurring quality issues.

Supplier Audits & Compliance

• Plan and execute supplier audits to ensure adherence to industry standards and company requirements.
• Ensure supplier processes align with ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820 (QMSR), 21 CFR Part 4 combination product requirements, EU MDR, and other applicable regulations.
• Provide guidance to suppliers on quality expectations and compliance improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with R&D, Operations, and Commercial teams to support supplier-related needs.
• Provide technical guidance and quality input during product development and commercialization.
• Act as a liaison between suppliers and internal teams to resolve quality-related challenges.

Qualifications

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in supplier quality engineering, supplier management, or a related role.
• Strong knowledge of supplier qualification, component validation, and quality systems.
• Experience conducting supplier audits and working with SCAR processes.
• Working knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements, including ISO 13485:2016, FDA 21 CFR Part 820 (QMSR), ISO 14971, EU MDR, and MDSAP.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel up to 20% for supplier audits and collaboration.
• Lead Auditor certification (e.g., ISO 13485 Lead Auditor) required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in medical devices or combination products; automotive or high-tech manufacturing experience is also considered.
• Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) and/or ASQ Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP).
• Proficiency in statistical analysis, FMEA, and risk management methodologies.
• Clinical supplier management experience, including qualification and oversight of suppliers supporting IDE and clinical studies (e.g., investigational product and clinical trial material suppliers, CROs, central labs), with working knowledge of GCP and BIMO inspection readiness.
• Drug/pharmaceutical supplier experience, including API and excipient suppliers under cGMP (21 CFR Parts 210/211, ICH Q7, ICH Q10) and drug-device combination product requirements (21 CFR Part 4).

Pay / Compensation

The expected pre-tax pay rate for this position is $111,650 - $165,000 per year.
Actual pay may fluctuate outside of the listed range depending on skills, education, experience, job-related knowledge, and location.
Cordis will consider providing visa sponsorship for the right candidate.

Preferred Qualifications

Cordis is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all teammates and applicants. At Cordis, our teammates all bring different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, and they share a passion for improving people's lives. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and many other parts of one’s identity. All our teammate’s points of view are key to our success, and we believe inclusion is everyone's responsibility. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.