Principal Supplier Quality Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in China.

📋 Description

• Lead thorough technical audits of component suppliers throughout Asia.

• Evaluate supplier process control, measurement capabilities, and the reliability of production and inspection.

• Identify key drivers of quality performance and create prioritized audit findings.

• Conduct pre-qualification audits for prospective suppliers.

• Execute surveillance audits and validate the effectiveness of corrective actions.

• Enhance Halter’s audit methodology and criteria for supplier assessments.

• Take ownership of resolving complex supplier quality challenges using first-principles analysis.

• Lead swift on-site investigations into production failures and outgoing quality control (OQC) rejections.

• Evaluate risks associated with in-flight inventory and establish paths to resolution.

• Enhance supplier process controls, measurement systems, and inspection techniques.

• Mentor supplier engineering teams in root-cause analysis and corrective actions.

• Escalate issues related to delayed resolutions, inadequate supplier engagement, and emerging production risks.

• Implement and uphold quality assurance specifications at supplier locations.

• Refine QA specifications in collaboration with hardware design and supplier quality leadership.

• Communicate, implement, and revalidate updated specifications as designs progress.

• Challenge specifications that are unclear, unmeasurable, or unrealistic.

• Support the approval of supplier-side parts and formal validation of components.

• Monitor approval status, corrective actions, outstanding quality issues, and risks to supply continuity.

• Collaborate on OQC failures identified during contract manufacturer incoming quality control (IQC).

• Cultivate relationships with supplier quality and engineering teams.

• Develop structured improvement plans to address systemic supplier capability deficiencies.

• Share Halter standards and technical expertise to enhance supplier capabilities.

• Report to the Head of Supplier Quality while collaborating with hardware design and operations teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 15 years of experience in supplier quality or manufacturing quality for complex electromechanical hardware.

• Proven history of resolving technically challenging quality issues at suppliers.

• Extensive knowledge in manufacturing and process engineering.

• Understanding of part manufacturing, process variation, and process control.

• Exceptional skills in conducting technical audits.

• Strong first-principles reasoning and root-cause analysis abilities.

• Experience in developing QA specifications.

• Capability to evaluate the clarity, measurability, and correct implementation of specifications.

• High proficiency in English and Mandarin, encompassing writing, speaking, and reading.

• Ability to engage directly with Chinese engineers and leadership without the need for translation.

• Proficient in working independently across a diverse portfolio of suppliers.

• Willingness to travel frequently throughout the APAC region, with considerable time spent on-site at suppliers.

• A Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• $1,000 personal growth fund.

• Opportunities for autonomy, mastery, and continuous learning.

• A diverse and inclusive work environment.

• Meaningful work that enhances farmers’ livelihoods and promotes sustainable operations.

• Collaboration with a global team on challenging, high-impact projects.