Supplier Quality Engineer

TechDoQuest; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

TechDoQuest seeks a driven supplier quality engineer to oversee CNC machining, contract manufacturing, and supplier development. You will lead technical assessments, process audits, and capability reviews while driving quality improvements and supplier accountability.

The role requires strong problem‑solving skills (8D, RCCA, 5‑Why) and effective communication with engineering teams and suppliers to ensure production readiness and sustained quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a technical field related to manufacturing engineering.
• Experience with CNC machining, GD&T, and manufacturing processes is required.
• Experience with supplier quality, contract manufacturing, and build‑to‑print processes preferred.
• Strong problem solving using 8D, RCCA, 5‑Why, Fishbone, DMAIC approaches.
• Experience reviewing PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, APQP, PPAP.
• Excellent technical communication with suppliers and cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical interface for machining and contract manufacturers.
• Develop supplier capabilities to meet technical, quality, delivery, and capacity requirements.
• Conduct supplier assessments, process audits, and manufacturing capability reviews.
• Develop and execute supplier improvement plans addressing quality and capability gaps.
• Drive supplier accountability and closure of identified gaps.

Skills

CNC Machining

GD&T

Root Cause Analysis

Manufacturing Problem Solving

Project Management

Technical Communication

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma/DMAIC

Supplier Engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Job description

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, Quality Engineering, or another related technical field.

Technical Skills

CNC Machining & Precision Manufacturing: Strong technical knowledge of CNC milling and turning, machining processes, tooling, fixturing, process parameters, inspection methods, and manufacturing process capability.

Engineering Drawings & GD&T: Demonstrated ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, GD&T, dimensional tolerances, critical characteristics, materials, and surface finish requirements.

Contract Manufacturing / Build-to-Print: Hands‑on experience working with Contract Manufacturers and Build‑to‑Print suppliers, including assessment of manufacturing capability, process controls, quality performance, and production readiness.

Supplier Engineering: Demonstrated ability to perform supplier technical assessments, manufacturing process audits, process qualifications, and supplier capability evaluations.

Root Cause & Corrective Action: Strong working knowledge of 8D, RCCA, 5‑Why, Fishbone, and other structured problem‑solving methodologies, with demonstrated ability to lead supplier investigations from containment through verified corrective action.

Manufacturing Problem Solving: Ability to troubleshoot complex machining, dimensional, material, assembly, and manufacturing‑process issues using engineering fundamentals and data analysis.

FAI & Process Qualification: Experience reviewing and approving First Article Inspection (FAI) results and evaluating supplier readiness for production.

Project Management: Ability to develop and manage project scope, schedules, milestones, technical risks, dependencies, actions, owners, and deliverables while driving projects to closure.

Technical Communication: Ability to clearly communicate complex manufacturing issues, risks, root causes, corrective actions, and project status to suppliers, engineering teams, cross‑functional stakeholders, and leadership.

Working knowledge of PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, APQP, and PPAP.

Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and DMAIC methodologies to supplier/manufacturing improvement.

Experience with fabrication, welding, complex mechanical assemblies, and secondary manufacturing processes.

Experience supporting semiconductor capital equipment or other high‑technology manufacturing environments.

Experience with supplier capacity assessments, manufacturing readiness, process validation, and production ramp.

Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, ASQ CQE, or PMP certification is desirable.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as the primary technical interface for assigned machining and contract manufacturing suppliers.

Develop supplier capabilities to meet technical, quality, delivery, capacity, and manufacturing requirements.

Conduct supplier technical assessments, process audits, manufacturing capability reviews, and part‑to‑print evaluations.

Develop and execute supplier improvement plans addressing quality, manufacturing capability, capacity, and operational risks.

Drive supplier accountability and closure of identified technical and quality gaps.

Support supplier selection, qualification, development, and ongoing performance improvement.

Machining & Manufacturing

Provide technical oversight of CNC machining, precision manufacturing, complex assemblies, fabrication, and contract manufacturing operations.

Assess supplier machining capabilities, including equipment, tooling, fixturing, inspection methodology, and process controls.

Review engineering drawings and specifications, including GD&T, critical dimensions, tolerances, materials, and surface finish requirements.

Evaluate manufacturing processes for capability, repeatability, scalability, and risk.

Review PFMEAs, Control Plans, First Article Inspections (FAI), SPC, MSA, and manufacturing process documentation.

Identify opportunities to improve manufacturability, process capability, quality, lead time, and supplier performance.

Quality & Problem Solving

Lead investigation and resolution of supplier‑related factory and customer quality issues.

Drive structured root cause and corrective action using 8D, RCCA, 5‑Why, Fishbone, DMAIC, and other appropriate problem‑solving methodologies.

Lead supplier containment and recovery activities for significant quality escapes.

Verify corrective‑action effectiveness through data analysis, process reviews, and supplier audits.

Analyze supplier quality and manufacturing data to identify trends, systemic risks, and improvement opportunities.

Drive defect reduction and continuous improvement projects across assigned suppliers.