Senior Mechanical Supplier Development Engineer (Defense)

Neros Inc.; Torrance, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 154,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Neros is a defense technology company redefining America’s drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems tested in combat and iterated at startup speed.

As a Supplier Development Engineer focused on mechanical commodities, you will ensure external suppliers can build complex hardware to exacting standards, collaborating with design, manufacturing, sourcing, and suppliers to translate requirements into capable processes and reduce risk during production ramps.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, process engineering, or related roles supporting mechanical hardware production.
• Hands-on experience with CNC machining, carbon fiber/composites, injection molding, additive manufacturing, sheet metal, castings, coatings, finishes, or mechanical assemblies.
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, material specifications, inspection plans, CMM reports, and manufacturing process documentation.
• Experience conducting supplier audits, process reviews, FAIs, capability assessments, and production readiness reviews in fast-paced NPI and production environments.
• Familiarity with supplier quality tools and methods such as AS9102 FAI, PPAP/APQP concepts, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, Cpk/Ppk, MSA/GR&R, 8D, SCARs, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action management.
• Ability to diagnose mechanical part defects, dimensional escapes, surface finish/cosmetic issues, material nonconformances, process variation, and supplier control weaknesses.
• Proven track record of taking ownership, moving quickly under production pressure, communicating clearly across engineering and supplier teams, and driving measurable quality improvements.
• Willingness to work hands-on with parts, suppliers, inspection data, manufacturing processes, and cross-functional teams.
• May require up to 50% travel.

Responsibilities

• Own supplier quality and manufacturing readiness for mechanical commodities including CNC machined parts, carbon fiber/composite structures, injection molded components, additive manufactured parts, sheet metal, castings, coatings, finishes, and mechanical assemblies.
• Review drawings, GD&T, material specifications, cosmetic requirements, inspection plans, process flows, FAIs, CMM reports, control plans, PFMEAs, and other quality documentation to validate supplier capability.
• Partner with engineering and suppliers during NPI to identify DFM risks, tolerance stack-up concerns, process capability gaps, inspection strategy gaps, and production ramp risks before they impact builds.
• Lead supplier qualification, FAI/AS9102, PPAP-style readiness, run-at-rate, process capability, MSA/GR&R, and ongoing supplier performance activities.
• Drive containment, root-cause analysis, 8D/SCAR closure, corrective actions, and supplier improvement plans for dimensional, material, cosmetic, process, and reliability issues.
• Work with sourcing and manufacturing teams to build a supplier base that can move fast, scale production, and meet high reliability standards in a demanding hardware environment.

Skills

Supplier quality

Manufacturing engineering

GD&T reading

FAI/PPAP

8D/SCAR

Root-cause analysis

Measurement systems

NPI readiness

CMM reports

Travel up to 50%

Tools

CMM equipment

Job description

Neros is a defense technology company redefining America’s drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems tested in combat and iterated at startup speed.

As a Supplier Development Engineer focused on mechanical commodities, you will ensure external suppliers can build complex hardware to exacting standards, collaborating with design, manufacturing, sourcing, and suppliers to translate requirements into capable processes and reduce risk during production ramps.