Supplier Quality Engineer – Metal Fabrication

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Evaluate and qualify suppliers for metal fabrication processes, which include welding, stamping, laser cutting, forming, and assembly.

• Perform supplier process audits to assess manufacturing controls, equipment capabilities, inspection methods, and quality systems.

• Analyze engineering drawings, GD&T, material specifications, and customer requirements to determine critical dimensions, features, and functions.

• Inspect welded assemblies for dimensional precision, workmanship quality, weld discontinuities, and adherence to drawings and acceptance criteria.

• Assess stamping processes to ensure dimensional consistency, tooling condition, burr control, cracking, springback, and surface imperfections.

• Evaluate laser cutting processes for cutting precision, edge quality, dross presence, distortion, and repeatability.

• Create and review inspection plans, control plans, process flow diagrams, and PFMEAs.

• Assist in new product introductions, first article inspections, and PPAP submissions.

• Confirm material composition, mechanical properties, traceability, and associated material certifications.

• Assess painting, coating, plating, and surface finish requirements, including appearance and thickness specifications.

• Lead investigations into root causes and implement corrective actions using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, and fishbone analysis.

• Collaborate with sourcing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to enhance quality, process capability, yield, and delivery performance.

• Monitor supplier performance and validate the effectiveness of corrective actions and development plans.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

• A minimum of three years of relevant experience in quality, manufacturing, industrial engineering, or supplier quality within metal fabrication.

• Hands-on experience with welding inspection, metal stamping, and laser cutting technologies.

• Proficient in interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, and technical specifications.

• Experience with dimensional inspection tools, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).

• Strong understanding of quality management systems, statistical process control (SPC), measurement system analysis (MSA), and process capability analysis.

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and technical documentation abilities.

• Capacity to collaborate across functions and engage directly with suppliers to address manufacturing and quality challenges.

• Willingness to travel to supplier and manufacturing sites as needed for business purposes.

• Preferred: Certifications such as Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma certification, or equivalent credentials.

• Preferred: Familiarity with MIG, TIG, resistance, or robotic welding processes.

• Preferred: Knowledge of relevant AWS welding codes and nondestructive testing methods.

• Preferred: Experience with large metal enclosures, cabinets, racks, chassis, or other complex fabricated assemblies.

• Preferred: Background in leading supplier qualification, supplier development, and manufacturing readiness reviews.

• Preferred: Understanding of Lean manufacturing principles, tooling and fixture validation, and design for manufacturability practices.

🏝️ Benefits

• Short-term incentive based on performance.

• Medical insurance coverage.

• Dental insurance coverage.

• Vision insurance coverage.

• Paid time off accruing at a rate of 3.07 hours during the first year of employment.

• 4 weeks of paid parental leave.

• 11 company-paid holidays in 2027 (9 fixed holidays and 2 optional floating holidays), subject to annual adjustments.

• 401(k) retirement plan available.

• Employee stock purchase plan offered.