Supplier Quality Engineer - Aerospace

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) at plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability and scalability of our external supply chain. We manufacture some of the most complex precision-machined components in the satellite industry, and maintaining a world-class supplier base is essential to supporting our rapid production ramp and our broader aerospace/defense customer portfolio.

The SQE owns supplier qualification, performance management, auditing, and issue resolution, with a focus on quality, delivery, special process control, and compliance with AS9100, ITAR, and customer flow-downs. This role directly supports growth by strengthening supplier capability, reducing risk, and ensuring purchased materials and outside processes meet the highest industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Qualification & Risk Management

• Conduct supplier capability assessments, onsite audits, and risk reviews for machining, materials, and special processes (anodize, chem film, passivation, heat treat, coatings, NDT).
• Qualify suppliers to support rapid scale-up for key space/defense programs.
• Maintain and continuously update the Approved Supplier List (ASL) with risk levels, findings, and corrective actions.

Supplier Performance Monitoring

• Manage and improve supplier scorecards (OTD, PPM, escape rate, responsiveness).
• Lead 8D/5-Whys investigations with suppliers; ensure robust containment and permanent corrective actions.
• Hold regular performance reviews with critical suppliers—driving accountability, communication, and results.
• Reduce supplier-caused rework, scrap, and MRB workload.

Quality Assurance for Purchased Goods & Outside Processes

• Review material certifications, special process certs, and C of Cs for accuracy and compliance with engineering, ITAR, and customer requirements.
• Verify supplier understanding of dimensional requirements, GD&T, tolerance stackups, and complex aerospace drawings.
• Support and refine receiving inspection strategy, sampling plans, and incoming defect analytics.

FAI / NPI Support

• Partner with suppliers to ensure the accuracy and completeness of their AS9102 First Article Inspection submissions.
• Validate supplier-readiness for aggressive schedules and precision requirements.
• Participate in design reviews and manufacturability discussions for new part families.

Supplier Issue Resolution & Escalation

• Lead all supplier-related nonconformance investigations, including rapid containment actions for urgent builds.
• Support MRB dispositions and cost recovery for supplier defects.
• Coordinate with Production, Engineering, and Materials to minimize disruption to manufacturing flow.

Continuous Improvement & Supply Chain Development

• Develop suppliers to improve process capability, eliminate recurring failures, and support volume increases.
• Implement supplier improvement plans.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, and Program Management to eliminate waste and reduce cycle time.

Compliance, Documentation & Audit Support

• Ensure supplier adherence to AS9100D, ITAR, customer contractual flow-downs, procedures, and record-keeping standards.
• Support customer audits.
• Maintain CAR logs, audit reports, and FAI documentation in ERP.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Liberty, SC 29657 (Required)

Work Location: In person