Supplier Development Engineer

Hiring for a Supplier Development Engineer in West Hartford!The Supplier Development Engineer serves as a key technical resource within the supply chain organization, supporting externally supplied hydromechanical and thermal products, electronic assemblies, and other technically specialized products and services. This highly visible role focuses on assessing supplier capabilities prior to selection, resolving supplier non-conformances on legacy products, and driving manufacturability, quality, cost, and delivery improvements across the supply base. The position offers significant autonomy, high technical visibility, and exposure to aerospace applications and cross-functional engineering and operations teams.ResponsibilitiesAct as the primary liaison between suppliers and internal engineering and quality teams, ensuring clear, respectful, and productive communication on technical risks, challenges, and opportunities.Assess supplier capabilities and conduct onsite supplier risk assessments to support supplier selection and ongoing performance management.Support supplier non-conformance management on legacy products by working within established quality and process systems to review, analyze, and disposition supplier non-conformities.Support and participate in root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities with suppliers to address quality issues and prevent recurrence.Use technical expertise to identify and propose cost reduction opportunities in collaboration with suppliers and engineering teams.Drive process improvements within the supply base by translating internal operational challenges into actionable supplier-focused initiatives.Proactively manage underperforming suppliers through quality data trend analysis and performance monitoring, escalating and resolving issues as needed.Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment to improve manufacturability, part execution, and delivery performance.Define problems, analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to support decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and maintaining progress across supplier development and quality improvement initiatives.Uphold all quality and process system requirements and ensure supplier activities align with relevant standards and internal procedures.Prepare and deliver clear written reports and presentations that communicate supplier performance, risks, and improvement plans to internal stakeholders.Build and maintain strong supplier relationships that support long-term collaboration, process changes, and continuous improvement in mechanical and aerospace applications.Essential SkillsBachelors or associate degree in a technical field, such as mechanical engineering (BSME) or a related discipline.Experience working in a technical capacity in a manufacturing environment, preferably as part of cross-functional teams.Experience working with external manufacturers and/or technical service providers in a supply chain or supplier quality context.Demonstrated ability to define problems, analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid, data-driven conclusions.Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills for effective interaction with internal teams and external suppliers.Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.Creative, quality-focused, and results-driven work ethic with a continuous improvement mindset.Strong PC skills, including proficiency with Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.Knowledge of supplier quality engineering (SQE) principles and practices.Experience with root cause and corrective action (RCCA) methodologies.Familiarity with ISO standards and quality system requirements.Understanding of supply chain planning and supplier development processes.Ability to travel approximately 40% to supplier and operational sites.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience in supplier quality, quality engineering, and supplier development in a manufacturing or aerospace environment.Background in mechanical components and systems and the ability to support mechanical supplier relationships.Exposure to aerospace applications and related technical requirements.Experience implementing or supporting process changes within supplier operations.Qualification or experience as a Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE).Ability to work with significant autonomy while maintaining alignment with organizational goals.Comfort working in high technical visibility roles, engaging with engineering and operations leadership.Experience using quality data trend analysis to monitor and improve supplier performance.Familiarity with hydromechanical and thermal products, electronic assemblies, or other technically specialized products.Interest in gaining in-depth exposure across engineering, operations, and supply chain functions.Work EnvironmentThis role operates within a dynamic manufacturing and supply chain environment that supports technically complex products, including hydromechanical and thermal systems, electronic assemblies, and aerospace-related applications. The Supplier Development Engineer frequently collaborates with cross-functional engineering, quality, and operations teams, and spends a significant portion of time at supplier facilities conducting assessments, reviews, and improvement activities, with travel requirements of approximately 40%. Work involves regular use of standard office technologies and tools, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, as well as engagement with formal quality systems and ISO-based processes. The position offers significant autonomy, high technical visibility, and broad exposure across engineering and operations, providing opportunities for meaningful impact on supplier performance, process improvements, and overall product quality.Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of West Hartford, CT.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $118000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Company Benefits Medical, dental, vision 401(k) match PTO/vacation Tuition reimbursement Parental leave Hybrid/remote flexibility Life/disability insurance Employee stock plansApplication DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026.Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in West Hartford,CT.About ActalentActalent 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 click.appcast.io 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.