Senior Supplier Technical Engineer – NPI & Quality Leader

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Paid time off

Tuition Reimbursement

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Adoption benefits

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. in the United States seeks a Supplier Technical Engineer to own technical aspects of purchased parts from concept to life cycle, including quality management.

You will apply expertise in metal fabrication, welding, heat treating, and machining, and coordinate with suppliers and internal engineering teams. The role emphasizes CPPD, NPI, CPI, PPAP, and FMEA activities, with a focus on supplier performance, data trends, and continuous improvement projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical subject with 5–7+ years of experience, or 10+ years manufacturing experience in lieu of a degree.
• Engineering practices & process planning (interpretation of drawings, tooling concepts, NDT, Functional Test, etc.)

Responsibilities

• Own technical accountability for the assigned purchased parts from NPI through the product life cycle including all quality management aspects.
• Demonstrate knowledge in metal fabrication, welding, heat treat, and machining.
• Communicate technical requirements with suppliers including design/drawing review and quality notes management.
• Monitor supplier quality performance data and trends.
• Collaborate with Sourcing Specialists and Buyers to develop supplier performance improvements using root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Contribute to supplier selection as a technical SME and participate in CPPD, NPI, CPI.
• Support design and process FMEA and PPAP processes; develop FAPITP with input from Design Engineering.

Skills

Analytical problem-solving

Root cause analysis

Communication of statistical tools

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical subject

10+ years manufacturing experience in lieu of a degree

Tools

Six Sigma

Design of Experiment (DOE)

Lean Manufacturing

Job description

Caterpillar Inc. in the United States seeks a Supplier Technical Engineer to own technical aspects of purchased parts from concept to life cycle, including quality management.

You will apply expertise in metal fabrication, welding, heat treating, and machining, and coordinate with suppliers and internal engineering teams. The role emphasizes CPPD, NPI, CPI, PPAP, and FMEA activities, with a focus on supplier performance, data trends, and continuous improvement projects.