Job Description – Technical Sourcing Engineer
Job Title: Technical Sourcing Engineer
Location: San Jose, CA
Experience: 6–8 Years
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job Summary
We are looking for an experienced Technical Sourcing Engineer with strong expertise in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Supplier Management, and Supply Chain Management.
The ideal candidate will have experience managing global suppliers, leading RFQ/RFP processes, qualifying new suppliers, and supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) programs.
The role involves working closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, and Program Management teams to ensure successful product launches, supplier readiness, cost optimization, and supply chain continuity.
Must-Have Technical Skills
- 5+ years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Supplier Management, or Supply Chain Management.
- Experience managing global suppliers and contract manufacturers.
- Strong experience in supplier identification, qualification, onboarding, and development.
- Hands-on experience managing RFQ, RFI, and RFP processes.
- Ability to analyze supplier quotations and perform commercial and technical evaluations.
- Strong understanding of engineering drawings, manufacturing processes, and technical specifications.
- Knowledge of First Article Inspection (FAI), supplier quality requirements, and manufacturing validation.
- Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and product launch activities.
- Strong knowledge of ERP and PLM systems such as Oracle, Arena, Teamcenter, or equivalent.
- Experience with PCAs, machined parts, sheet metal, electronics, medical devices, or similar manufacturing commodities.
- Knowledge of inventory planning, warehouse setup, launch readiness, and Kanban implementation.
1. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for new product development and NPI programs.
- Identify, evaluate, onboard, and qualify global suppliers.
- Manage supplier relationships and drive supplier performance improvements.
- Lead RFQ/RFP activities, supplier negotiations, and final supplier selection.
- Develop supplier comparison matrices based on cost, quality, technical capabilities, and delivery performance.
2. New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Support NPI programs and new product launch activities.
- Coordinate supplier readiness, validation builds, and manufacturing qualification.
- Work with suppliers to complete First Article Inspection (FAI) and quality documentation.
- Ensure suppliers meet engineering, quality, and production requirements.
- Review engineering drawings and assess manufacturing capabilities and cost drivers.
3. Procurement & Cost Optimization
- Analyze supplier quotations and conduct techno-commercial evaluations.
- Drive cost reduction, sourcing optimization, and annual savings initiatives.
- Negotiate pricing, tooling costs, and commercial terms with suppliers.
- Support direct material sourcing and procurement activities.
- Ensure sourcing decisions align with business and supply chain objectives.
4. Inventory & Supply Chain Management
- Support inventory planning, warehouse setup, and market launch readiness.
- Implement Kanban and inventory management processes.
- Coordinate material availability and supply continuity.
- Work with global suppliers and internal teams to manage sourcing timelines and delivery requirements.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, and Program Management teams.
- Act as a coordination point between suppliers, customer stakeholders, and offshore sourcing teams.
- Track sourcing activities, supplier performance, and industrialization milestones.
- Identify supply chain risks and drive timely issue resolution.
Generic Managerial & Soft Skills
- Strong negotiation, costing, and supplier relationship management skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
- Strong ownership, governance, prioritization, and escalation management.
- Analytical and commercially focused mindset.
- Ability to manage multiple sourcing projects and timelines.
- Experience working with global and cross-functional teams.
- Strong problem-solving and stakeholder management capabilities.
Key Skills for Recruitment
Must-Have Skills:
Strategic Sourcing, Technical Sourcing, Procurement, Supplier Management, Global Sourcing, RFQ, RFP, RFI, NPI, Supplier Qualification, Supplier Development, Supplier Onboarding, FAI, Engineering Drawings, Manufacturing Processes, Cost Negotiation, Inventory Planning, Kanban.
Good-to-Have Skills:
PCAs, Machined Parts, Sheet Metal, Electronics, Medical Devices, Oracle ERP, Arena PLM, Teamcenter, Supplier Scorecards, Cost Reduction, Material Planning, Logistics, Contract Manufacturing.
Preferred Candidate Background
Candidates with experience in manufacturing, electronics, medical devices, industrial products, contract manufacturing, and new product development environments will be preferred.