Supplier Development Engineer

Jobtailor

San Francisco (CA)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Jobtailor seeks an experienced supplier development engineer focused on brittle materials to optimize ceramic, sapphire crystal, and glass components for health wearable devices. You will drive global suppliers, lead DFMA reviews, and establish robust brittle-material acceptance criteria to enable smooth development and production ramps.

Role requires hands-on knowledge, strong problem-solving, and ability to travel internationally up to 15% to support global manufacturing sites.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

Develop and document processes, parameters, consumables, and secondary-operation requirements.

Skills

Brittle materials

Design for Manufacturing

Failure analysis

Cpk and GD&T

DOE

Dimensional capability

Strong communication

Critical thinking

Tools

CIM

Sintering

CNC grinding

Lapping/polishing

Edge chamfering

Laser cutting/drilling

PVD coating adhesion

Job description

Define best-in-class processes for ceramic, sapphire crystal, glass, and other brittle components meeting Oura design and operational requirements
Partner with Quality Engineers, Material Engineers, and Product/Industrial Designers to optimize brittle-material component design and manufacturing for cost, cosmetics, reliability, and fracture resistance
Use Cpk, GD&T, and strength/fracture testing data to drive process decisions and influence product and industrial design
Drive global suppliers to establish and optimize manufacturing processes for ceramic, sapphire crystal and glass components, ensuring quality and resolving production issues
Lead Design for Manufacturing reviews and set brittle-material acceptance criteria for tooling and processes entering development builds and production ramp
Develop and document processes, parameters, consumables, and secondary-operation requirements
Provide leadership and support at manufacturing sites during development and production ramp, resolving brittle-material issues with cross-functional teams

Requirements

4+ years of direct experience in a mechanical manufacturing environment as a Supplier Development Engineer, Supply Base Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Manufacturing Design Engineer, Supplier Industrialization Engineer, or equivalent role, with 2 or more years focused on brittle materials
Experience driving global suppliers to establish and qualify brittle-material manufacturing processes from NPI to mass production, including DFM reviews that surface brittle-specific risks before build start
Hands-on knowledge of ceramic, sapphire crystal, and glass manufacturing processes, including CIM, sintering, CNC grinding, lapping/polishing, edge chamfering, laser cutting/drilling, PVD/coating adhesion on brittle substrates
Experience with failure analysis (fractography), design of experiments (DOE), and dimensional capability (Cpk, GD&T)
Working understanding of brittle fracture mechanics and relevant strength/reliability testing, including 4-point bend, ring-on-ring, and thermal shock/cycling
Knowledge of cosmetic defect standards for ceramics, sapphire crystal, or glass
Ability to travel internationally, up to ~15% of the time
Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate challenges clearly to leadership and cross-functional partners
Positive, high-urgency mindset with willingness to learn and challenge the status quo
Direct experience with ceramics, sapphire crystal, or glass on highly cosmetic parts or health wearable devices strongly preferred

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in brittle materials manufacturing processes, including ceramic, sapphire crystal, and glass, with a strong focus on quality assurance and supplier development. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in optimizing design for manufacturing and resolving production challenges.

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