Supplier Quality Engineer

Socket.dev; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cummins in Indianapolis is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to drive supplier quality initiatives and apply APQP methods to improve external manufacturing processes. You will support audits, root cause analysis, and corrective actions while advancing continuous improvement with internal partners in Purchasing, Manufacturing and Engineering.

The role emphasizes collaboration across cross-functional teams, implementation of industry tools, and ensuring supplier performance meets quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field required.
• Experience with APQP, VPI quality support, and PPS beneficial.
• Ability to participate in supplier audits and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Support external supplier quality initiatives and corrective actions.
• May participate in external supplier audits and lead low complexity audits after certification.
• Apply APQP and AIAG tools to improve supplier manufacturing processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in the external supply base.

Skills

Communication

Customer focus

Auditing

Technical interpretation

Process design

Process validation

Measurement design

Problem solving

Quality influence

Quality standards

Statistics

Supplier improvement

APQP skills

Diversity awareness

Reliability analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

APQP

DFMEA

PFMEA

Control Plan

SPC

MSA

PPAP

Job description

Job Summary:

The Supplier Quality Engineer creates values by supporting supplier quality initiatives that enable the business or function to achieve its operational and strategic supplier quality goals

Key Responsibilities:

Build relationships with all critical partners to improve quality and business outcomes, including: external suppliers, external customers, and internal customers and stakeholders, such as Purchasing, Manufacturing and Engineering. Learn and apply industry common Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) tools, and Cummins specialty tools to develop or improve an external supplier’s manufacturing process. Become an effective auditor by participating in external supplier audits; may lead low complexity and low risk audits after becoming a certified auditor. Participate in the resolution of external supplier related quality challenges; support root cause analysis, supporting development of corrective actions and support the verification of the effectiveness of corrective actions; may lead resolution of low complexity and lower risk quality challenges after gaining experience. Embrace continuous improvement in the external supply base by participating in and contributing to product and process focused projects that utilize industry proven methodologies, such as lean and six-sigma. Partcipate in the quality performance planning and improvement process for a specific product type or specific segment of the external supply base; may lead the quality planning and improvement process for low complexity and low risk product types or segments of the supply base.

Responsibilities

Competencies:

• Communicates effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Customer focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Auditing - Applying auditing skills and techniques and Quality Management Systems knowledge to effectively appraise a manufacturing process for quality and safety risks and non-conformances.
• Interpreting Technical Requirements - Applying knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing principles and Engineering Standards to correctly interpret the technical requirements of an engineering drawing; Applying knowledge to improve a product’s design for manufacturability and measurability.
• Manufacturing Process Design - Applying knowledge of manufacturing technology (methods, techniques, tools, equipment, etc) to design a Zero Defect manufacturing process that can consistently meet technical and customer requirements.
• Manufacturing Process Validation - Applying core Automotive tools (i.e. DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plan, SPC, MSA, Source Release and PPAP) to validate that a manufacturing process can consistently meet technical and customer requirements.
• Measurement Process Design - Applying knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing principles and knowledge of measurement technology (standards, techniques, equipment, etc) to design a measurement system that can consistently meet industry and customer requirements.
• Problem Solving - Solves problems and may mentor others on effective problem solving by using a systematic analysis process by leveraging industry standard methodologies to create problem traceability and protect the customer; determines the assignable cause; implements robust, data-based solutions; identifies the systemic root causes and ensures actions to prevent problem reoccurrence are implemented.
• Quality Influence - Ability to recognize stakeholders, create a forum to professionally extract stakeholder perspectives, drive and engage in constructive conflict, and to influence outcomes in order to ensure Cummins makes a balanced decision inclusive of Quality priorities.
• Quality Standards - Applying knowledge of quality standards, such as ISO9001:2015 and IATF16949, to develop procedures, processes, and external suppliers in a manner that aligns with regulatory requirements.
• Statistical Foundations - Applies statistical tools and technique to influence decision making; leverages understanding of data collection methods, key statistics, graphical and analytical methods to describe process performance, gain insights and drive improvement action
• Supplier Performance Improvement - Improving supplier performance by developing and executing an effective quality improvement strategy that consists of a project team, glidepath, reduction of manufacturing issues and improvement of systemic deficiencies.
• Supplier Quality Project Planning and Execution - Applying Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) skills to develop and execute a quality plan that enables external suppliers to meet customer expectations; Requires facilitating communication and collaboration across cross-functional activities, when a program, initiative, or project concerns external suppliers.
• Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Supplier Product Reliability - Ability to evaluate the supplier's product design, supplier's manufacturing process design and product validation process to ensure the supplier is capable to meet reliability expectations.

U.S. Early Careers Eligibility Requirements:

Exempt Entry Level: Designed for external candidates within 2 years of completing their highest level of degree (Bachelor, Master, PhD, MBA, or JD) from an accredited U.S. college/university, and currently reside within the continental U.S.

International Student Eligibility (U.S. based roles): F-1 visa students must have approved Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Occupational Practical Training (OPT) beforetheir Early Career assignment begin. CPT/OPT must relate to their degree and be authorized by their university. Students are responsible for securing this approval through their school’s international office.

Education, Licenses, Certifications:

U.S. college/university Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical or scientific subject required.
This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.

Experience:
Minimal level of relevant work experience required.

Qualifications

This position supports internal Engine Business suppliers and is responsible for APQP execution, VPI quality support, continuous improvement initiatives, and Product Problem Solving (PPS) activities to ensure successful product launches and ongoing supplier quality performance.

College Job Type: Exempt – Entry Level

Degree: Bachelor’s

Education Program: Mechanical Engineering preferred, will consider Industrial Engineering

Start Date: Fall 2026/Jan 2027

Job Skills Required:

• Project management
• Problem solving
• Resourcefulness
• Analytics

Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law.