Supplier Quality Engineer

viaPhoton; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) with 4% match

Flexible PTO

10 paid holidays including 2 floating

Monthly team events

Job summary

viaPhoton is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to act as the quality gatekeeper for our global supply chain. You will conduct audits, run quality programs, and drive improvements with suppliers to prevent defects before reaching production.

Role involves performing supplier audits, developing inspection plans, and collaborating with Engineering, Manufacturing, and NPI teams across global sites. Travel 25–40% to supplier sites, domestic and international.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Quality Engineering.
• Familiarity with fiber optic components and sheet metal/injection molding processes.
• Experience with supplier audits, qualifications, root cause analysis, and risk-based quality planning.
• ASQ certifications like CQE, CSQP, or CQA are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the Supplier Quality Assurance program across global suppliers.
• Establish incoming inspection plans based on supplier risk, part criticality, and performance.
• Conduct supplier audits aligned to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
• Lead supplier corrective action requests using 8D, DMAIC, and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards tracking quality, delivery, responsiveness, and performance metrics.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and NPI teams to qualify suppliers and components for new products.

Skills

Experience in supplier quality

ISO 9001/14001 knowledge

Root cause analysis

Audit experience

Travel 25-40%

ASQ CQE/CSQP/CQA (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quality/Manufacturing

Job description

We are changing the norm by being customer-focused, technology-led. viaPhoton is reimagining fiber optic manufacturing for the AI era. We design and deliver custom-engineered, end-to-end fiber connectivity solutions for the data centers, 5G networks, and AI infrastructure shaping the next decade, and our customers need them in weeks, not months. In five years we've grown to a team of 200+ and 4x'd our revenue in the last year alone, and we're just getting started. We're looking for people who want to do their best work with a team that's moving fast.

About the Role

You’ll be the quality gatekeeper for our global supply chain, working with external suppliers to make sure every component meets our standards. You’ll conduct audits, manage quality programs, and lead improvements with suppliers, keeping defects out before they ever reach our production floor.

• Own and execute the Supplier Quality Assurance program across global suppliers, including qualifications and approvals
• Establish incoming inspection plans based on supplier risk, part criticality, and performance
• Conduct supplier audits aligned to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, including fiber optic cable, sheet metal, and injection molding suppliers
• Lead supplier corrective action requests using 8D, DMAIC, and root cause analysis methodologies
• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards tracking quality, delivery, responsiveness, and performance metrics
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and NPI teams to qualify suppliers and components for new products

What You’ll Bring

• Have a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related field
• Have 5+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Quality Engineering
• Know fiber optic components and sheet metal and injection molding manufacturing processes
• Have experience with supplier audits, qualifications, root cause analysis, and risk-based quality planning
• Have ASQ certifications like CQE, CSQP, or CQA (a plus, but not required)
• Are willing to travel 25 to 40% to supplier sites, domestic and international

What's in it for you?

• Robust health, dental, and vision coverage that starts on day 1
• 401(k) with 4% match, vests immediately after a 90-day waiting period
• Flexible PTO that grows over time
• 10 paid holidays, including 2 floating holidays
• Monthly team events

Location

Naperville, IL

Schedule

Mon–Fri | Onsite

Compensation

$70,000 - $80,000 base, plus annual bonus

At viaPhoton, we are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. We reinforce this through our core values and beliefs as well as our processes and strategic goals. We remind team members to seek various viewpoints, learn and be hungry with curiosity, and gain trust.

We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit and qualifications. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, health condition, genetic information, marital or family status, military or veteran status, socioeconomic background, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We provide reasonable accommodations and adjustments throughout the hiring process. If you need one, please let us know. Any personal data you share with us is handled confidentially and in line with applicable data protection law.