Supplier Quality Engineer

About The Role Supplier Quality Engineer Location: Clawiter (Travel to MI as needed) The Supplier Quality Engineer will play a key role in ensuring world‑class performance of the Zoox prototype and production supply base, and drive continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, driven, energetic, detailed, and team‑oriented. Candidates with experience in Automotive, Interior and Exterior components/subassemblies such as seating systems, A‑class surface parts with gloss and color requirements, and a strong understanding of manufacturing processes such as injection & blow molding, sheet‑metal forming are highly preferred. Responsibilities Work with Vehicle Systems Engineering to assess the manufacturability of new product designs. Work with Engineering and Strategic Sourcing managers to select appropriate suppliers, conduct detailed supplier process assessments/audits, and provide feedback to management on final selection. Work with suppliers on all technical design elements of the drawing; conduct CAD model and print reviews to assess design for manufacturability, and collaborate in investigating or developing new manufacturing techniques if necessary. Lead the Supplier Industrialization Roadmap (SIR) by conducting product and process development activities and capability assessment at the supplier manufacturing site. Identify supplier capital‑expenditure equipment, tooling, and fixturing requirements aligned with project implementation timelines, and drive all qualification activities to verify and validate tooling and fixturing. Work with strategic sourcing managers to assess supplier readiness for different Zoox vehicle build events, highlight risks related to production ramp, and report on risk‑mitigation plans to management. Manage and continuously improve the APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) process with suppliers from design through PPAP submission to SOP. Train and set up suppliers in the Zoox Supplier Quality Portal, review prototype and production parts quality documents, and provide feedback as required. Lead RCCA analysis with suppliers, issue corrective action, support immediate containment, short‑term and long‑term corrective actions, and ensure supplier process documentation is updated. Provide support to Manufacturing, Quality, and Vehicle Engineering for analysis and disposition of suspect supplier material, and participate in MRB disposition meetings as needed. Analyze and report incoming supplier part quality metrics, including First Article Inspection reports, Cp/Cpk analysis, Pareto, statistical process control, and process capability studies. Drive continuous improvement across the supply base using quality and lean manufacturing tools. Improve Zoox supplier quality processes such as assessments, supplier management, and part approval processes. Travel up to 40% domestically or internationally, occasionally on short notice. Qualifications Minimum bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or an equivalent engineering discipline. Minimum 8 years of experience in Quality, Supplier Quality, or Manufacturing, across the automotive, aviation, or medical‑device industries, or a combination of Supplier Quality and internal plant quality development. Experience in New Product Introduction (NPI) and creating/improving quality systems. Experience using problem‑solving techniques such as Six‑sigma, 8‑discipline, Pareto charts, regression analysis, ANOVA, DOE, fishbone analysis, and Red‑X. Experience with core process‑control tools, including process flow diagrams, control plans, SPC, MSA, and process capability. Experience with manufacturing processes such as injection molding, stamping, and electromechanical assemblies. Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), tooling and fixture verification, validation, and final buy‑off at suppliers. Working knowledge of Quality and automotive systems such as ISO9000 and IATF16949. Certifications such as CQE from ASQ, Six‑Sigma Green Belt, or certified Quality Systems Auditor preferred. Solid knowledge of conducting supplier assessments, APQP and PPAP, product launch, and vendor ramp experience. Full literacy in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and preferred experience with Google Workspace. Key Responsibilities & Skills Supplier Quality Management Supplier Assessment & Audits Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) New Product Introduction (NPI) Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) Statistical Process Control (SPC) Process Capability Analysis (Cp/Cpk) Lean Six Sigma Problem Solving Risk Management & Mitigation Supplier Industrialization Roadmap (SIR) Execution Tooling & Fixture Qualification Injection Molding & Blow Molding Expertise Sheet Metal Forming & Stamping Knowledge Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) ISO9000 / IATF16949 Compliance Material Review Board (MRB) Support Supplier Part Quality Metrics Reporting Technical Skills CAD Model & Drawing Review Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word Google Workspace Statistical Analysis Tools (DOE, ANOVA, Minitab) SPC Software Six‑Sigma Tools (8‑D, Pareto, Fishbone) Quality Management System (QMS) Platforms Education Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering. Preferred: Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Master’s in Industrial Engineering, Master’s in Manufacturing Engineering, or MBA. Industry Experience Automotive Aviation Medical Device Autonomous Vehicle Manufacturing Prototype & Production Supply Chain #J-18808-Ljbffr