Senior Supplier Technical Engineer

Solar Turbines Incorporated; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) savings plans

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Voluntary Benefits and Discounts

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. seeks a Supplier Quality Engineer to lead the resolution of quality problems in purchased materials and engineering issues. You will coordinate across supplier, manufacturing, and engineering teams to drive PPAP and CAPA with urgency and rigor.

The role emphasizes supplier qualification, NPI support, and continuous process improvement, with onsite collaboration and a focus on reducing costs while maintaining quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with experience in supplier quality or engineering.
• Experience with ERP software and MS Office suite.
• Fluent in Business English in written and oral form.

Responsibilities

• Identify quality problems, lead root cause analysis, and implement resolutions with cross-functional teams.
• Develop supplier quality metrics and monthly reporting with improvement actions.
• Coordinate with Engineering on NPI, PPAP, and cost reduction goals.

Skills

Bachelor’s Degree

ERP software

MS Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in related field

Tools

ERP software

MS Office (Word, Excel, Visio)

Job description

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Career Area:

Supply Chain and Logistics

This position provides leadership in resolution of quality problems associated with the purchased materials and engineering issues. The STE manages supplier quality through activities that include NPI concept drawings, communication of concept to suppliers, design/drawing review and acceptance, Windchill activities, BAAN functions, tooling management, and Q Notes. Additional activities include supplier and product qualifications by execution of Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) coordinated with suppliers and internal cross-functional supply chain, manufacturing and engineering teams.

Principal Accountabilities:

Quality and Technical Problem Resolution

Responsible for identifying quality problems, leading root cause analysis, and implementing resolution of technical issues in a cross-functional environment with the supplier, manufacturing and engineering. The STE is the focal point for Reject Notices and Request for Technical Authority and will initiate root cause analysis, supplier corrective action and/or preventive action plans as applicable with the utilization of 6 Sigma tools, critical thinking, and a sense of urgency.

Supplier Quality Metrics

Responsible for development of supplier quality metrics and monthly reporting and distribution of metrics. The STE identifies supplier quality performance trends and improvement opportunities with time bound corrective actions or improvement plans to meet Supply Chain metric targets.

Engineering Liaison

Coordinates with Engineering on NPI, Concurrent Product and Process Development, and Continuous Process Improvement to ensure design concept to production status, configuration management, specification approvals and cost reduction goals are met.

Supplier PPAP Management

The STE leads the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) and develops the inspection plan with collaboration from Design Engineering, Materials & Processes Engineering, and Manufacturing. Additionally, the STE will provide technical guidance to the Supply Chain team on the requirements and purchase of supplier tooling.

Required Qualifications:

• a Bachelor’s Degree or higher with experience in a Supplier Quality or Engineering role. Preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP software and proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio).
• Fluent in Business English in written and oral form.

Top Candidates Have:

• Engineering or manufacturing background with familiarity of manufacturing processes used in forging and machining operations relevant to turbomachinery products.
• Familiarity with engineering practices and process planning including drawing interpretation, tooling concepts, nondestructive testing (NDT), functional test, in addition to technical product knowledge and metallurgy principals.
• Knowledge of melting and conversion of turbomachinery alloys as a complementary skill set.
• Strong analytical problem solving and statistical skills.
• Effective communication in written and oral form.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, leading a cross-functional technical team to consensus, and ability to influence or persuade suppliers and internal clients to effective solutions.
• Demonstrated responsiveness and acts with a sense of urgency.
• Familiarity with 6 Sigma tools and techniques, and understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Project management skills to advance supplier qualification and improvement projects to completion.
• Working knowledge of supplier selection process and quality management systems.

Summary Pay Range:

$112,704.00 - $169,056.00

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

October 2, 2026 - October 16, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.