Supplier Development Engineer

Performs, monitors and evaluates Quality Control functions at suppliers and Company facilities in order to assure components and materials meet or exceed requirements. May also perform Quality function at customers site. Involved with supplier selection and development activities related to New Product Introduction (NPI), Prototype and Production business.

Job Description

Level I-IV

• Perform Quality Control functions at suppliers facilities, such as source inspection and test of suppliers products as specified by Subcontract, Purchase Order and/or associated documentation (specifications, drawings, qualifications and special and acceptance procedures)
• Develop and control test and inspection instructions to be utilized by Supplier Q.A. functions (Incoming Inspection and Supplier) to assure compliance with Company and Contract Quality requirements
• Provide technical assistance to Incoming Inspection, suppliers and other Company functions so that they may prevent fabrication, test and inspection problems; May also provide technical assistance at customer sites
• Provide technical assistance in the preparation of workmanship standards, instructions and inspection criteria for suppliers and Company; Initiate product design changes through proper channels to improve part quality or enhance ease of manufacturing, test and inspection
• Perform quality audits of supplier's and Company's processes and procedures to determine the effectiveness of the Quality Program
• Report results, indicating conclusions and suggested actions for suppliers and Company, and prepare and initiate Corrective Action Requests (CARs) to suppliers and Company when non-compliances to quality requirements exist; Follow-up to satisfactorily close out all CARs issued
• Perform failure analyses with suppliers on relevant failures on returned products; Analyze reported defects and failures; Investigate discrepancies and initiate corrective actions when necessary to preclude future rejects
• Familiarize suppliers in the use of Company's documented process system to capture and record actions and results
• Oversee sample, special and qualification tests; Assist other Supplier Quality Engineers during failure analysis with the supplier on product returns, final acceptance and environmental failures
• Prepare reports on procured product quality and corrective actions taken and reply to Customer/Government inquiries regarding supplier Quality Assurance
• Prepare summaries of research and maintain files on vendors to provide immediate current and historical information of procured product reliability
• Apply quality management system methodologies
• Review and define elements of concern/definition in customer documentation through the New Product Introduction (NPI) stages
• Disposition suspect/nonconforming material
• Provide First Article Inspection work direction and disposition for supplied product
• All employees are responsible for the Quality of their work to ensure BEI meets, or exceeds Customer Satisfaction.

Level II

• Perform all the essential functions and competencies listed above
• Train and provide guidance to lower level Quality Assurance Engineers
• Apply quality management system methodologies

Level III

• Perform all the essential functions and competencies listed above
• Provide leadership in establishing and managing supplier certification and second source program, specific to customer needs
• Perform site audits and/or coordinate supplier audits as appropriate; Supplier site audits may require directing first article inspection
• Perform Fault Analysis (FA) research on all commodities and provide the appropriate reports and supporting statistical data; Direct inspection and electrical performance testing as necessary for products
• Initiate and establish proactive working relationships with suppliers, including acquisition of supplier in- process data, evaluation of process capability and arrangement of regular statusing
• Ensure that quality levels are maintained and continuously improved by reviewing customer and Company quality requirements for purchased parts and in-house manufactured, assembled and ready-to- ship items
• Facilitate long-term strategic supplier and quality development
• Assist in the analysis of discrepancies or deviations from customer standards or specifications; Determine root cause of discrepancies and prepare recommendations for corrective actions
• Mentor and provide leadership to engineers, technicians and inspectors

Level IV

• Perform all the essential functions and competencies listed above
• Demonstrate the highest level of competence in the discipline through knowledge and leadership in the function
• Perform professional technical assignments independently and/or coordinate the work of other engineers in professional technical analysis, requiring the full use and wide application of established Supplier Development Engineering principles, theories, concepts and precedents in the field plus a working knowledge of other related disciplines
• Conduct research in areas which require a moderately high level of expertise and knowledge of areas of specialization and some related fields
• Devise new techniques and approaches and provide solutions to a wide range of technical problems by drawing on own areas of technical specialty and consulting with other engineering specialists for technologies where there is not an in-depth expertise
• Make independent decisions based on available data, selection of materials and required parameters
• Evaluate plans and criteria for technical activities in his specialty and recommend alternatives as required to comply with customer, supplier and Company obligations
• May lead projects or segment of major projects; Responsible for achievement of schedule, fiscal and technical performance objectives
• Assignments are broad and will include: development of new techniques as a result of independent research study, development and evaluation of plans and procedures, theoretical computations and analysis, design and development of equipment with many complex features, testing of procedures, equipment and materials, make extensive contributions to proposal efforts, responsible for the conduct and performance of assignments
• Review and coordinate work of assistants to ensure progress is maintained to achieve specified aims
• Interpret and direct the preparation of data for reports on technical findings, recommendations accomplishments, and progress measured against specific plans
• Attend conferences and meetings to represent assigned activity
• Maintain knowledge in area of specialization and a few other related fields; Remain cognizant of developments in the remaining related fields
• May publish in scientific or professional journals or represent organization in professional societies
• Position performance may be measured from a combination of Corporate and Divisional Balanced Score Card Goals which will include but not limited to Financial Performance, Customer Satisfaction, Operational Excellence and Employee Focus.
• Individual position performance goals may be specific to the position, business segment or as it relates to an individuals contribution or employment within the organization.

Requirement:

Level I-IV

• Effective organization and prioritization skills
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to complete projects in a timely manner
• Ability to support a 24/7 global business operation as required
• Demonstrate discretion, confidentiality, independent judgment and professionalism when representing the company
• Excellent written and verbal communication, as well as presentation skills
• Ability to work individually or in teams
• Understanding of and ability to use continuous improvement tools
• Able to travel up to 5% of the time, including day and overnight travel as required
• Participate in a continuous improvement activity with complete documentation, including a follow up review with the team in a presentation format
• See job analysis forms for specific physical stressors of the job

Level I

• 4 year Technical degree or equivalent combination of education and experience as approved by executive management
• 0-3+ years of electronics manufacturing experience

Level II

• 4 year Engineering or Technical degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience as approved by executive management
• 5+ years of electronics manufacturing experience
• Familiarity with advanced technologies and applications; ASQ certification; Master of advanced technologies and applications
• Ability to train/mentor new development employees
• Able to travel up to 10% of the time, including day and overnight travel as required

Level III

• 4 year Engineering or Technical degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience as approved by executive management
• 8+ years of electronics manufacturing experience; 3+ years in a leadership role
• Master of advanced technologies and applications; ASQ certification
• Ability to lead strategic initiatives
• Highly effective interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with customers, coworkers and suppliers
• Ability to effectively and efficiently perform tasks across all departmental activities
• Excellent comprehension of non-technical aspects at Company, its suppliers and its customers
• Able to travel up to 20% of the time, including day, overnight and international travel as required

Level IV

• 4 year Engineering or Technical degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience as approved by executive management; Masters degree preferred
• 15+ years of experience in electronics manufacturing or quality systems engineering; 5+ years in a leadership role; Considered an engineering expert
• Complete understanding of a variety of problem solving techniques (i.e. DFM, DOE, SPC, etc.)
• Outstanding industry-leading understanding of manufacturing systems and tooling developments
• Able to travel 20+% of the time as required