Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Description

The Supplier Quality Engineer plays a key role in improving supplier performance and ensuring uninterrupted production by visiting key supplier sites, analyzing performance issues, and driving targeted improvement strategies across purchase orders, processes, and quality systems. This position focuses on supplier development in engines and avionics, working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers to resolve quality concerns, mitigate risks, and enhance capacity and capability in a long-term, high-impact role.

Responsibilities

• Visit key supplier sites regularly to analyze performance issues and identify root causes affecting quality, delivery, and capacity.
• Coordinate and implement improvement strategies at suppliers, including purchase order alignment, process enhancements, and quality system improvements.
• Expedite critical parts at critical suppliers to remove roadblocks and ensure zero disruption to the production line.
• Work with suppliers to establish clear recovery plans aligned to purchase orders through harmonized lines of balance, and maintain daily follow-up to track progress.
• Align with internal stakeholders in Procurement, Quality, and Operations to prepare a clear mandate for supplier interventions and ensure a smooth handover once actions are implemented.
• Identify supplier improvement opportunities and risk mitigation actions at key supplier sites, and manage these activities from initiation through completion.
• Drive execution of supplier performance improvement plans and collaborate with internal and external partners to pursue solutions and close action plans.
• Develop and maintain supplier development plans focused on quality, delivery, capacity, and process capability in engines and avionics supply chains.
• Provide regular feedback and progress updates to all relevant stakeholders on supplier support activities and improvement initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external groups, ensuring timely escalation of issues that may impact production or quality.
• Conduct thorough onsite capacity and capability reviews at suppliers, identify gaps, and establish clear action plans to address those gaps.
• Coordinate personal work travel arrangements, including reservations, follow-up, expense claims, and financial review related to travel.
• Manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize activities, and maintain momentum on several supplier projects at once.
• Apply strong analytical, planning, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills to resolve complex supplier issues and improve overall performance.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Administration, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in a relevant manufacturing, production, or supplier quality environment.
• Strong manufacturing and production knowledge and hands-on experience.
• Experience working with sub-tier suppliers in complex supply chains.
• Demonstrated ability to work extremely independently and engage with new suppliers with minimal supervision.
• Experience in project planning and coordination involving several sectors or cross-functional teams.
• Expert-level computer skills in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and effectively prioritize workload.
• Strong sense of ethics and customer-focused mindset.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Operational and financial management knowledge (considered an asset).
• Understanding of business relationships and dynamics between suppliers and internal organizations.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in supplier quality, quality assurance, and quality engineering within manufacturing environments.
• Experience in engines and avionics, with familiarity in aerospace-related supplier ecosystems.
• Experience conducting quality control activities and audits at supplier facilities.
• Proven ability to perform detailed root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Experience collaborating with suppliers that support major aerospace engine and avionics programs.
• Ability to interface effectively with Procurement, Quality, and Operations teams to align supplier development initiatives.
• Operational and financial management understanding to support cost-effective improvement strategies.
• Strong customer orientation and ability to represent internal interests while maintaining constructive supplier relationships.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 70% of the time to various supplier locations.

Work Environment

This role is primarily based onsite in a Quality Department, working Monday through Friday from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position involves frequent travel—up to 70% of the time—to supplier locations, including primary sites in Rocky Mount, NC and Wilson, NC, and secondary sites such as Wilmington, NC. The work environment is focused on manufacturing and quality operations, with extensive interaction across Procurement, Quality, and Operations teams and close collaboration with engine and avionics suppliers. The role requires regular use of Microsoft Office tools (PowerPoint, Excel, Word) and participation in onsite capacity, capability, and process reviews at supplier facilities. This is a long-term opportunity with strong potential for continuity as quality concerns with key suppliers are addressed and long-term improvement plans are implemented.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Seattle, WA.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $80.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Seattle,WA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.