Principal Supplier Quality Engineer

Monarch Quantum, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Fidelity 401(k) with 4% employer match

20 PTO days per year

13 paid holidays

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum, Inc. seeks a Principal Supplier Quality Engineer to lead supplier quality for optics, micro-electronics, and exotic metal components. You will interpret GD&T, perform FAI during NPI, and conduct supplier audits to ensure QMS compliance.

You will drive DFx with design and manufacturing teams, lead CAPA actions, and mentor key suppliers to improve yield and delivery quality. This is a hands-on startup‑minded role in a high-precision tech environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical Engineering, or Materials Science.
• 8+ years of supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or hardware quality engineering in high-precision tech.
• Experience with exotic alloys and precision optical assemblies; PCBA processes and IPC standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of day-to-day supplier quality performance for key vendors in optics, PCBA, fiber optics, and exotic metal components.
• Interpret complex drawings and GD&T tolerances to verify manufacturing readiness and inspection capability.
• Lead First Article Inspections (FAI) and qualification activities during NPI.
• Conduct supplier facility audits for process controls and QMS compliance.
• Lead root-cause analyses for supplier non-conformances and implement 8D CAPA.
• Track supplier quality metrics and mentor suppliers to improve yield and delivery quality.
• Collaborate with Design and Manufacturing engineers to drive DFx and resolve integration challenges.
• Travel up to 20-30% domestically and internationally.

Skills

Supplier quality management

GD&T

8D CAPA

FMEA

ISO 9001

DFx

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Optical/Materials Science

Tools

CMM

Optical inspection

IPC standards

GD&T measurement tools

Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Supplier Quality Engineer. As Monarch Quantum scales, you will play a key hands-on role in ensuring that our supply base meets the exceptional quality standardsrequiredfor our laser light engines and quantum computing platforms. Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain, you will bridge technical design requirements with vendor capabilities,maintainingdirect oversight of critical hardware components.

This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You will work directly with suppliers of optics, micro-electronics, fiber optics, and exotic metal components to prevent defects, resolve technical issues, and ensure seamless delivery into production(DFx).

Key Responsibilities:

• Supplier Quality Operations: Oversee day-to-day supplier quality performance for key vendors supplying2 or more of the following:optics, PWBAs, fiber optic harnesses, and exotic metal components (MoCu, Kovar, Molybdenum).

• Technical Drawing & GD&T Review: Interpret complex technical drawings, optical specs, and GD&T tolerances to verify supplier manufacturing readiness and inspection capability.

• NPI Support & Qualification: Execute First Article Inspections (FAI), review supplier manufacturing plans, and leadcomponentqualification activities during New Product Introduction (NPI) phases.

• Auditing & Onsite Inspections: Conduct technical, process, and QMS audits at supplier facilities to verify process controls, cleanroom compliance, and quality systems.

• Defect Resolution & CAPA: Lead technical root-cause analyses for supplier non-conformances (RMA/MRB) and enforce rigorous Corrective and Preventive Action (8D CAPA) execution.

• Supplier Development: Track supplier quality metrics (yield, defect rate, delivery quality) and mentor key suppliers to continuously improve technical yield and process control.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Monarch Design Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to drive Design for Manufacturability/Quality (DFx) and resolve integration challenges.

Please note: This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Skills & Experience:

• Education:Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field.

• Experience: Minimum of 8+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or hardware quality engineering in high-precision technology sectors.

• Technical Experience: Practical quality control experience across key commodity areas:

• Machining and fabrication of exotic alloys (MoCu, Kovar, Mo).

• Precision optical assemblies and optical fiber handling/splicing.

• PCBA manufacturing, SMT processes, and IPC standards.

• Core Competencies: Proficient in GD&T, CMM/optical inspection techniques, FMEA, 8D problem-solving, and ISO 9001 environment controls.

• Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to effectivelyinterface withtechnical suppliers and internal engineering teams.

• Travel: Ability to travel up to 20-30% (domestic and international) to supplier sites.

Startup Mindset:

• You'recreative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats-youdon'twait for a process to exist; you build it.

• You'repassionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $125,000-$175,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.