Supplier Quality Engineer

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on uncrewed systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology. We leverage proven, cutting-edge methodologies and technology to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks, ensuring timely delivery of cost-effective solutions to market.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for the day-to-day quality performance, compliance, and corrective-action management of TDI's supply base. The SQE serves as the primary quality interface with assigned suppliers and ensures purchased materials, components, and externally provided processes meet engineering, contractual, customer, and regulatory requirements.

The SQE focuses on supplier quality performance, nonconformance containment, root cause and corrective action, First Article Inspection (FAI), process capability, supplier audits, source inspection, and prevention of recurring defects.

The SQE works cross-functionally with Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program Management to resolve supplier-related issues that could affect product quality, production schedules, customer deliveries, or reliability.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Supplier Quality Management & Performance

• Manage quality performance of assigned suppliers.
• Monitor and trend:
• Product quality and defect rates
• Supplier escapes and recurring nonconformances
• SPC and process capability data
• Corrective-action responsiveness and effectiveness
• Maintain supplier quality scorecards and performance metrics.
• Escalate significant or recurring supplier quality risks.

Nonconformance, Root Cause & Corrective Action

• Lead supplier-related NCRs and Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs).
• Coordinate containment of suspect or nonconforming material.
• Drive root cause analysis using structured methods including:
• 8D
• 5 Whys
• DMAIC
• Validate corrective actions at both process and system levels.
• Verify corrective-action effectiveness and prevent recurrence.

Machining Process & Supplier Capability

• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes including:
• Multi-axis CNC machining
• Turning, milling, grinding, and finishing
• High-precision aerospace components
• Assess supplier ability to consistently meet:
• GD&T and dimensional tolerances
• Surface finish requirements
• Critical feature requirements
• Engineering and regulatory requirements
• Review machining strategies, tooling, inspection methods, and process controls.

Material Science & Special Process Oversight

• Evaluate compliance with material and special-process requirements including:
• Nickel-based alloys, stainless steel, titanium, and other aerospace materials
• Heat treatment
• Coatings and surface treatments
• NDT and other special processes
• Verify control of:
• Material lot traceability
• Material Test Reports (MTRs)
• Certificates of Conformance
• Special-process certifications
• Support failure analysis involving material, heat-treatment, or metallurgical concerns.

Engineering Drawing & Specification Interpretation

• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, and tolerance requirements.
• Review critical-to-quality features, surface finish, and geometric requirements.
• Ensure suppliers understand and comply with current technical requirements.
• Support Engineering and suppliers in resolving manufacturability, dimensional, and process capability concerns.

First Article Inspection (FAI)

• Review supplier FAI packages in accordance with AS9102.
• Verify dimensional results, material certifications, special-process certifications, and supporting documentation.
• Support FAI requirements resulting from design, process, tooling, or manufacturing changes.

Incoming Inspection & Quality Verification

• Support development of inspection and control plans for critical supplier components.
• Review:
• CMM data
• Dimensional inspection reports
• SPC data
• Material and process certifications
• Ensure traceability between:
• Material
• Manufacturing processes
• Inspection data
• Partner with Quality and Manufacturing on acceptance criteria and supplier containment requirements.

Supplier Audits & Source Inspection

• Conduct supplier quality system, process, and product audits as required.
• Perform targeted audits in response to:
• Supplier escapes
• Recurring defects
• Process instability
• Corrective-action concerns
• Conduct or coordinate source inspections when required.
• Document findings and ensure corrective actions are completed and verified.

Engineering, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Integration

• Collaborate with Engineering on:
• Manufacturability
• Tolerance feasibility
• Supplier-related technical issues
• Partner with Supply Chain on supplier quality performance and risk.
• Support Manufacturing with supplier-related production issues, containment, and recovery actions.
• Provide timely supplier quality status to internal stakeholders.

Configuration Control & Traceability

• Ensure supplier-delivered components conform to:
• Correct drawing revisions
• Approved configurations
• Purchase-order requirements
• Controlled documentation
• Support traceability across:
• PLM/PDM
• ERP/MRP
• QMS
• Prevent use of obsolete drawings, unauthorized process changes, or unapproved material substitutions.
• Ensure supplier quality documentation is complete, traceable, audit-ready, and AS9100 compliant.

Supplier Quality Improvement

• Drive improvement of existing supplier performance focused on:
• Defect reduction
• Process control
• Process capability
• Corrective-action effectiveness
• Inspection effectiveness
• Reduction of recurring issues
• Use quality and process data to identify trends and drive permanent corrective action.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct supervisory responsibility.
• Leads supplier quality activities and cross-functional corrective-action efforts.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Required

• Strong knowledge of precision machining processes and manufacturing methods.
• Understanding of material science and metallurgy relevant to aerospace components.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and specifications.
• Working knowledge of AS9100D and supplier quality requirements.
• Working knowledge of AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements.
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective-action methodologies.
• Knowledge of SPC and process capability.
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to interpret dimensional inspection and CMM data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with suppliers and internal engineering/manufacturing teams.
• Ability to manage confidential and export-controlled information (ITAR).

Preferred

Experience with:

• Turbomachinery or propulsion system components
• High-temperature alloys and advanced materials
• Special processes including heat treatment, coatings, welding, and NDT

Familiarity with:

• AS9145 / APQP
• PPAP
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• MSA
• Supplier audits and quality systems
• ERP/MRP systems; Costpoint preferred

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

Bachelor's degree in, or equivalent relevant experience in:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Quality Engineering
• Related technical discipline

Typically 5-10 years of experience in:

• Supplier Quality
• Quality Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Precision machining
• Materials or special-process quality

Preferred

• Experience in aerospace, defense, propulsion, or turbomachinery manufacturing.
• Experience working within an AS9100-certified quality system.
• ASQ certifications such as CQE or CQA.
• Six Sigma or formal GD&T training.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office, manufacturing, and supplier environments.
• Frequent interaction with machine shops, inspection labs, and production areas.
• Ability to perform supplier site visits, audits, and process assessments.
• May require standing, walking, and inspection activities.
• May be required to lift materials or components up to 75 lbs.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Approximately 15-40% travel to support:

• Supplier audits
• Corrective-action verification
• Source inspections
• Supplier process assessments
• Supplier containment and production recovery

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.

EEO/M/F/D/V

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