Supplier Development Engineer/Metal

Job Description

Job Description

Supplier Development Engineer – Metal Components

The Federal Group USA | Bingham Farms, MI | Full-Time | International Travel

About the Role

This is a vendor-facing engineering role — not a plant position. You'll manage metal manufacturing projects across an international supplier network, from first samples through full production, working directly with customers, factories, and our leadership team. You need a genuine manufacturing background — you'll be reviewing prints, auditing factories, and advising clients on methods and materials — but your workplace is the supplier relationship, not the shop floor.

If you've spent years at a Tier 1 or OEM chasing PPAPs, reviewing supplier inspection reports, and managing overseas foundries and machine shops — but you're tired of the automotive program grind — this role offers the same technical work with far more variety and direct impact.

About Us

The Federal Group USA is a sourced manufacturing partner supplying precision metal components — castings, forgings, cold headed parts, CNC machined components, sheet metal fabrications, and welded assemblies — to customers across North America. We're a lean, established team where engineers work directly with the CEO and COO, own their projects end to end, and see their decisions matter. No bureaucracy, no program-cycle layoff whiplash.

What You'll Do

• Manage metal manufacturing projects cross-functionally from sample development through full production
• Advise clients on manufacturing best practices — methods, materials, and finishing options
• Review new projects for technical feasibility and manufacturing readiness
• Ensure customer prints are complete and accurate: tolerances, specifications, revisions, and material callouts; flag prints requiring client revision or formal sign-off
• Review vendor RFQs and quotes for technical accuracy and field technical questions during quoting
• Oversee day-to-day vendor management and performance; partner with Sourcing on vendor selection to ensure capabilities align with project requirements
• Travel internationally for factory tours and vendor audits with the Sourcing team
• Partner with Quality and Supplier Quality Engineers on non-conforming parts, corrective actions, vendor inspection reports, and in-process/incoming inspections
• Communicate technical information, deviations, and factory requests to the sales team for client follow-up
• Lead project kickoff meetings with clients and vendors
• Provide regular project status updates to internal and external stakeholders; escalate at-risk projects to the COO/CEO

What We're Looking For

• Hands-on experience with castings, forgings, cold headed parts, and/or machined components — you know what good looks like and what goes wrong
• Background in supplier quality, sourcing engineering, program/launch engineering, or manufacturing engineering with significant vendor interaction
• Fluency in the language of supplier management: PPAP, APQP, 8D, corrective actions, GD&T, print review
• Strong project management instincts — organizing cross-functional work, hitting deadlines, and communicating status clearly in a dynamic environment
• Comfort working directly with customers and with international manufacturing partners
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for factory visits and vendor audits
• Hindi language skills are a strong plus
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent experience)

Why This Role

• Variety: Six manufacturing disciplines and a diverse customer base — no two projects look alike
• Visibility: Direct access to the CEO and COO; your recommendations reach decision-makers the same day
• Global exposure: Work directly with international manufacturing partners, including on-site factory visits
• Stability: An established company with long-standing customer and supplier relationships
• Location: Based at our Bingham Farms, MI office

The Federal Group USA is an equal opportunity employer.