Supplier Quality Engineer

5th Axis Inc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay with bonus

100% medical coverage

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Career advancement

Non-corporate culture

Job summary

5th Axis seeks a Supplier Quality Engineer to qualify and develop suppliers for CNC machining, finishing, plating, and assembly. You will lead audits, First Article approvals, containment actions, and corrective actions to ensure tight adherence to specifications and on-time launches.

You will partner with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to reduce supplier risk, improve product quality, and support new supplier onboarding. Travel is approximately 20%–30% domestically.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and extensive supplier quality experience are required.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 and quality systems is essential.
• Proven track record in audits, First Article inspections, and corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Qualify and develop suppliers to meet engineering, quality, and delivery specs.
• Lead supplier audits, First Article approvals, and corrective actions.
• Monitor supplier performance with scorecards and defect data.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to reduce risk.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional teamwork

Travel readiness

Education

Quality/Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Five+ years supplier quality experience

Experience with CNC machining

GD&T interpretation

Audits & CAPA

Strong communication

Job description

Strengthen the Supply Chain Behind Advanced Manufacturing at 5th Axis

At 5th Axis, we’re global leaders in precision machining, automated production, and turnkey manufacturing solutions. From advanced workholding systems to zero-point technology, we design, build, and deliver solutions that empower machinists and manufacturers worldwide.

If you understand precision manufacturing and know how to turn supplier challenges into sustainable improvements, this is an opportunity to make a measurable impact across our products, processes, and supply chain.

Build Quality into Every Supplier Partnership

As our Supplier Quality Engineer, you’ll qualify and develop suppliers to ensure purchased components, materials, special processes, and outsourced manufacturing services consistently meet our engineering, quality, and delivery requirements.

You’ll serve as the primary quality liaison between 5th Axis and its suppliers, leading audits, First Article approvals, corrective actions, supplier performance reviews, and quality activities supporting new products and new suppliers.

This position requires approximately 20%–30% travel, primarily to domestic supplier locations.

What the Job Looks Like

• You visit a potential machining supplier to evaluate its equipment, processes, quality systems, capacity, and technical capabilities.
• You review drawings, tolerances, inspection plans, and First Article Inspection reports before approving a new part.
• You investigate supplier defects, establish containment, and ensure corrective actions address the true root cause.
• You use scorecards, defect data, capability studies, and audit findings to improve supplier performance.
• You partner with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to reduce supplier risk and support successful product launches.

What You’ll Do Here

• Evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers supporting CNC machining, raw materials, finishing, plating, heat treatment, assembly, and other manufacturing processes.
• Lead supplier-quality activities for new products, new suppliers, and outsourced manufacturing launches.
• Review and approve First Article Inspection reports, control plans, inspection plans, capability studies, certifications, and other supplier deliverables.
• Conduct supplier audits and manufacturing capability assessments.
• Investigate supplier nonconformances and lead containment, root-cause analysis, and supplier corrective-action requests.
• Monitor supplier performance through scorecards, defect rates, delivery results, corrective-action effectiveness, and cost-of-poor-quality data.
• Review engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, critical characteristics, and inspection requirements.
• Evaluate supplier measurement systems, gauges, fixtures, calibration controls, and process capability.
• Partner with internal teams and suppliers to improve quality, manufacturability, delivery, process capability, and total cost.
• Maintain supplier quality records and support compliance with ISO 9001 and applicable customer or industry requirements.

What You’ll Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in Quality, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Five or more years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, process engineering, or a related engineering role.
• Direct experience with CNC machining, precision-manufactured components, workholding, grinding, or automated manufacturing systems.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and inspection requirements.
• Experience conducting supplier audits, process audits, or manufacturing capability assessments.
• Strong knowledge of First Article Inspection, control plans, process capability, measurement systems, and statistical process control.
• Experience managing supplier corrective actions and structured root-cause investigations.
• The ability to communicate technical requirements clearly and build productive supplier relationships.
• Strong organization, analytical, problem-solving, and project-management skills.
• The ability to travel approximately 20%–30% based on business needs.

Who This Role Is Ideal For

• Supplier Quality Engineers with experience supporting precision machining or complex manufactured products.
• Manufacturing or Quality Engineers ready to take greater ownership of supplier development.
• Engineers who enjoy working directly with suppliers to solve technical and process problems.
• Quality professionals experienced in audits, First Article approval, corrective action, and continuous improvement.
• Technically strong problem-solvers who can balance quality, manufacturing, delivery, and business needs.
• Professionals who are comfortable working across supplier facilities, manufacturing environments, and cross-functional teams.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay with performance-based bonus opportunities
• 100% company-paid medical coverage available for employees
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with up to a 5% company match
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Training and meaningful opportunities for career advancement
• A supportive, non-corporate culture where your ideas matter
• Company-sponsored team events and activities

Ready to Strengthen Quality at the Source?

This is an opportunity to shape the supplier processes behind advanced manufacturing—not simply inspect problems after they arrive. You’ll help build capable suppliers, improve product quality, and protect production from costly disruptions.

If you’re ready to combine engineering expertise with supplier development and hands‑on problem‑solving, and build your future with 5th Axis.

5th Axis is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, value different perspectives, and believe everyone has the ability to make an impact. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] .