The Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) team plays a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and scalability of the company’s global supply chain. As part of the Global Quality organization, the team partners closely with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and operations to deliver high-performing supplier ecosystems that support new product introduction (NPI) and high-volume production. 

This team is at the forefront of driving operational excellence by combining deep manufacturing expertise with advanced analytics, automation, and AI-driven quality solutions. As part of this group, you will have the opportunity to influence supplier strategy, elevate process capability, and shape the future of digital quality transformation across the supply base.

As a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer, you will manage supplier quality activities for assigned suppliers and components, ensuring capable processes, effective issue resolution, and readiness for new product introduction and production ramp. 

You will: 

• Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, and periodic audits for assigned suppliers to ensure compliance with quality requirements 

• Drive supplier quality readiness for New Product Introduction (NPI) and transition to high-volume manufacturing 

• Develop and maintain supplier quality requirements, control plans, statistical process control (SPC), and process validation criteria 

• Build a detailed understanding of supplier manufacturing processes to identify risks and resolve quality issues 

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions using structured methods such as 8D and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis-PFMEA 

• Monitor supplier performance and drive measurable improvements in yield, defect reduction, process capability, and cost of poor quality 

• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, operations, and factory SQE teams to address supplier quality risks 

• Coach suppliers on robust process controls, measurement systems, SPC, and PFMEA 

• Use data analytics and digital quality tools to improve visibility, decision-making, and issue prevention 

• Evaluate and support appropriate inspection or automation solutions for recurring quality risks 

• Lead or support targeted Six Sigma and continuous improvement projects within the assigned supplier scope 

We’re looking for someone who is: 

• A strong analytical thinker who can solve complex manufacturing and quality problems 

• Skilled at translating data into practical actions and influencing decisions 

• A confident communicator who can work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders 

• Comfortable operating in global, cross-functional manufacturing environments 

• Proactive, self-directed, and able to operate in a fast-paced setting 

• Curious and adaptable, with an interest in applying analytics and digital tools to quality engineering 

• A collaborative technical leader who can guide suppliers and align teams without direct authority 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, such as Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Materials, or a related discipline 

• 2+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or process engineering 

• Strong working knowledge of quality methods and tools, including MSA, SPC, PFMEA, and 8D 

• Experience supporting NPI, supplier qualification, and production ramp in a manufacturing environment 

• Experience analyzing supplier performance data and driving corrective actions and sustained improvement 

• Experience in high precision manufacturing industries such as HDD recording media manufacturing, disk drives, semiconductors, or related industries. 

• Ability to travel weekly, including regional and international travel, to support supplier engagements