Supplier Development Engineer

SDFM; Rock Hill (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Powerus is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to industrialize new parts at supplier facilities and expand supplier capacity for electrical and mechanical components. The role requires regular travel to supplier sites in the United States.

You will transfer designs to production, assess process capability, and develop ramp plans with suppliers, tracking progress on site while coordinating with Powerus engineering to resolve issues and ensure a smooth ramp to production.

Qualifications

• Reading drawings and specs.
• Willingness to travel regularly to domestic supplier facilities.
• Experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, or NPI.

Responsibilities

• Transfer new and changed designs to production suppliers and manage industrialization through first article approval.
• Assess supplier process capability, capacity, and readiness for Powerus production rate.
• Review supplier process flows, PFMEAs, and control plans for new parts.
• Build capacity and ramp plans with suppliers and track them to completion on site.
• Return supplier DFM feedback to Powerus engineering.
• Support make-vs-buy and dual-source qualification with strategic sourcing.
• Resolve supplier technical issues that threaten delivery during ramp.

Skills

Reading drawings

Travel availability

Manufacturing knowledge

Process thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering, or equivalent

Tools

PFMEA

Control plans

CAD software

Lean manufacturing

Job description

About Powerus

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems platform designed to move, protect, and sustain critical assets in high-consequence environments. The company combines advanced autonomy, manufacturing capability, operational expertise, and strategic acquisitions to support defense, national security, critical infrastructure, and commercial operations globally.

Mission

Our mission is to deliver resilient autonomous technologies that strengthen national security, improve operational safety, and expand the capabilities of organizations operating in complex environments.

Why Join Powerus

Powerus is moving parts from prototype vendors to suppliers capable of production rate, and asking existing suppliers to increase capacity. Many of those suppliers must change their own processes to get there.

This role works inside supplier facilities to make that happen, from process readiness through first article approval. Once a part passes first article, quality ownership transfers to Supplier Quality Engineering.

Position Overview

Powerus is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to industrialize new parts at suppliers and increase supplier capacity for electrical and mechanical components. The role requires regular travel to supplier facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Transfer new and changed designs to production suppliers and manage industrialization through first article approval
• Assess supplier process capability, capacity, and readiness for Powerus production rate
• Review supplier process flows, PFMEAs, and control plans for new parts
• Build capacity and ramp plans with suppliers and track them to completion on site
• Return supplier design-for-manufacturability feedback to Powerus engineering
• Support make-versus-buy and dual-source qualification with strategic sourcing
• Resolve supplier technical issues that threaten delivery during ramp

Qualifications

• Must be located in the United States, within commuting distance of Rock Hill, SC
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, or new product introduction
• Working knowledge of common manufacturing processes such as machining, molding, PCB assembly, and cable assembly
• Ability to read drawings and specifications
• Ability to travel regularly to domestic supplier facilities
• U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)); this role involves access to ITAR- and EAR-controlled technical data

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scaling suppliers from prototype to production
• Experience with lean manufacturing and process capability
• Experience with domestic sourcing and NDAA or Buy American requirements
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or automotive supply chains
• Active or prior U.S. security clearance

What We Look For

Candidates should have taken at least one part from a prototype vendor to a qualified production supplier and should be able to describe the process changes made at the supplier to get there.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Powerus is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and mission-driven workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.