Principal Supplier Quality Specialist (Remote)

Principal Supplier Quality SpecialistWe are seeking a Principal Supplier Quality Specialist to support supplier quality, development, and continuous improvement across our aerospace and defense operations. As a Principal Supplier Quality Specialist, you will work directly with suppliers and cross-functional teams to ensure supplier processes, products, and materials meet quality, regulatory, and customer requirements. You will lead supplier qualification, assessment, performance monitoring, escape management, root cause analysis, and corrective action activities while helping drive sustainable improvements across the supply base.In this individual contributor role, you will use your advanced knowledge of supplier quality and your commodity to identify risks, resolve complex supplier quality issues, and influence suppliers toward improved quality and process performance. You will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Program Management, and other stakeholders to support supplier capability, work transfers, process changes, and production readiness.Your mission: Drive supplier quality excellence by strengthening supplier capabilities, preventing quality escapes, resolving complex quality issues, and implementing sustainable corrective and preventive actions that support product quality, delivery, and customer requirements.Join us in driving operational excellence, supplier performance, and innovation across the aerospace and defense industry!This is a remote position based in Minnesota. Candidates should preferably reside in Minnesota or a nearby state to accommodate travel to meet with suppliers.What You Will Do:Lead supplier qualification, certification, assessment, monitoring, and development activities to ensure suppliers meet applicable quality and business requirements.Monitor supplier quality performance, analyze quality data and trends, and identify systemic issues and opportunities for improvement.Lead supplier escape management and complex quality issue resolution, including root cause analysis, containment, corrective action, and preventive action activities.Partner with suppliers and cross-functional teams to develop and implement effective corrective and preventive actions using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D and Red-X.Conduct or support supplier audits, assessments, source inspections, material release activities, Corrective Action Boards, and other supplier quality reviews.Apply quality tools and methodologies, including PFMEA, MSA, Process Flow, Control Plans, SPC, and other risk-based quality techniques, to improve supplier process capability and product quality.Evaluate supplier readiness and capability to meet requirements for work transfers, process changes, Resourcing Gates, and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) acceptance.Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Program Management, and other cross-functional partners to mitigate supplier risks and support program and production requirements.Influence and coach suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive sustainable improvements, resolve quality concerns, and strengthen supplier processes and performance.Support supplier continuous improvement initiatives and quality programs while maintaining compliance with applicable RTX policies, customer requirements, quality management systems, and industry standards.Qualifications You Must Have:Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field and a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience.Prior experience in supplier quality and development, including supplier qualification, supplier assessments, quality audits, supplier performance monitoring, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.Qualifications We Prefer:Experience working in the aerospace and defense industry or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.Knowledge of quality core tools, including APQP, PFMEA, MSA, Process Flow, Control Plans, SPC, and PPAP.Experience with supplier audits, assessments, qualification/certification, source inspection, or supplier performance management.Experience with structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, Red-X, Root Cause Analysis, and Corrective/Preventive Action.Knowledge of Quality Management Systems, applicable quality regulations and standards, risk management, Lean Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.Experience working directly with suppliers to drive quality improvement, resolve complex issues, and improve process capability.What We OfferSome of our competitive benefits package includes:Medical, dental, and vision insuranceFour weeks of PTO for newly hired employeesGenerous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy optionTuition reimbursement programStudent Loan Repayment ProgramLife insurance and disability coverageOptional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance,?critical illness?insurance, group legal, ID theft protectionBirth, adoption, parental leave benefitsOvia Health, fertility, and family planningAdoption AssistanceAutism BenefitEmployee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessionsHealthy You Incentives, wellness rewards programDoctor on Demand, virtual doctor visitsBright Horizons, child and elder care servicesTeladoc Medical Experts, second opinion programAnd more!