Senior Supplier Quality Engineeer

Alten Technology USA; Foster City (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer in Foster City, CA to lead supplier quality programs across automotive, aerospace, and electronics supply chains. You will assess supplier readiness, drive NPI, and ensure PPAP/FAI compliance while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

The role requires 8+ years in quality with direct automotive experience, knowledge of IATF 16949, APQP, PFMEA, and a proven track record of reducing defects through lean methods.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Quality, Supplier Quality, or Manufacturing with direct automotive experience.
• Hands-on NPI/product launches and quality systems improvements.
• Fluency with APQP, PPAP, FAI, PFMEA, 8D, SPC, and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Assess supplier readiness for each build phase and mitigate risks.
• Lead NPI and supplier industrialization including tooling verification.
• Review PPAP and FAI and assess manufacturability with suppliers.
• Lead 8D/CAPA root-cause investigations and disposition of suspect material.
• Monitor Cp/Cpk, SPC, Pareto, and drive continuous improvement.
• Improve supplier quality processes and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Quality engineering

Supplier quality

NPI / product launch

Cross-functional leadership

PPAP / APQP / FAI

SPC / 8D / PFMEA / GD&T

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field

ASQ CQE / CQA or Six Sigma Certification

Tools

IATF 16949

ISO 9001

VDA 6.3

Job description

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life‑saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

As a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer you will be responsible for;

• Assess supplier readiness for each build phase; identify production‑ramp risk and drive mitigation plans with sourcing and program teams.
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) and supplier industrialization — process development, manufacturing‑site capability assessment, tooling/fixture verification, and final buyoff.
• Review and approve prototype and production quality submissions (PPAP, FAI); evaluate manufacturability of new designs and partner with suppliers to improve it.
• Lead root‑cause and corrective action (8D/CAPA) on supplier issues; support disposition of suspect material.
• Monitor supplier quality metrics (Cp/Cpk, SPC, Pareto, process‑capability studies) and drive continuous improvement using lean and quality tools.
• Improve supplier quality processes: assessments, supplier management, part approval, and corrective action.

Qualifications;

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 8+ years in Quality, Supplier Quality, or Manufacturing, with direct automotive experience (mandatory) — OEM or Tier 1/2.
• Hands‑on NPI / product launch experience and a track record of building or improving quality systems.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and VDA 6.3.
• Fluency with core quality tools: APQP, PPAP, FAI, PFMEA, 8D, SPC, and GD&T.
• Willingness to travel to supplier sites as needed.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and mentoring junior engineers.
• Prior supplier‑facing engineering across commodity areas (e.g., interiors/seating, powertrain/HV battery, drive module, electronics).
• Certifications: ASQ CQE, Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.
• EV, autonomous‑vehicle, or high‑reliability (aviation/medical) exposure.

Salary Range: $120K - $140K

• The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job‑related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience
• MANDATORY FOR ALL REMOTE/HYBRID AND/OR CALIFORNIA, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, HAWAII, COLORADO, MARYLAND, CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, NEVADA, NEW YORK, RHODE ISLAND, WASHINGTON STATE & CINCINNATI, OHIO, JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, TOLEDO, OHIO BASED ROLES.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug‑free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre‑employment drug screening as a condition of hire.