Senior Supplier Quality Engineer – NPI & DFx

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

401(k) plan with 4% employer matching

20 PTO days per year

13 paid holidays

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Principal Supplier Quality Engineer to ensure the supply base meets stringent quality standards for laser light engines and quantum computing platforms. You will work hands-on with optics, micro-electronics, fiber optics, and exotic metal components to prevent defects and ensure on-time delivery into production (DFx).

Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain, you will review complex drawings and GD&T, execute FAI during NPI, and perform supplier audits to maintain

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 8+ years in supplier/manufacturing/hardware quality in high-precision tech.
• Strong GD&T, inspection methods, and ISO 9001 environment familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day supplier quality performance for key vendors (optics, PCBA, exotic metals).
• Interpret drawings and GD&T to verify manufacturing readiness and inspection capability.
• Execute First Article Inspections and lead qualification during NPI phases.
• Conduct technical, process, and QMS audits at supplier facilities.
• Lead root-cause analyses for supplier non-conformances and run 8D CAPA.
• Track supplier quality metrics and mentor suppliers to improve yield and control.
• Collaborate with Design and Manufacturing teams on DFx and integration challenges.

Skills

GD&T

CMM

Optical inspection

FMEA

8D CAPA

ISO 9001

Quality engineering

Education

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

Tools

CMM

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.