Job Description:
Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) will be based in China (Shenzhen or Shanghai) and will be a primary interface between the suppliers and client teams located globally. In this position you will lead all aspects of the hardware quality for various NPI as well sustaining projects. With primary focus on the injection mold and sheet metal processes, the SQE will play an important role in supplier development, supplier performance management and continuous improvement activities. SQE will act as a subject matter expert for mechanical components manufacturing processes and guide the internal/external teams to assess risks and to ensure appropriate design and process controls are planned and implemented to mitigate such risks. Specific job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Tooling and process qualification in early NPI stages.
- Utilize statistical approaches such as AQL levels and implement robust IQC/OQC/IPQC processes
- Lead the qualification of gages and inspection tools used in process using Measurement System Analysis techniques (Gage R&R, Correlation studies, bias/linearity analysis, etc.).
- Lead problem solving efforts for any quality issues and drive closure of quality issues including corrective actions.
- Coordinate and verify quality standards to ensure they meet our requirements.
- Investigate and drive closure of quality issues including corrective actions.
- Drive continuous quality improvements at the suppliers (yield improvement, scrap reduction, etc.)
- Conduct frequency-based audits to track suppliers progress towards building best-in-class manufacturing process/products.
- New part qualification via PPAP/FAI reviews and approvals.
- New supplier evaluation and qualification from quality system & process control management perspective.
- Early engagement and able to react at timely manner/on-site support to mitigate potential risk impacts throughout entire product/parts lifecycle.
- Establish and document best practices/lessons learned and effectively utilize for new projects.
Basic qualifications:
- BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering (ME)
- 10+ years of experience managing suppliers specifically dealing with companies in China
- 5+ years of experience in managing quality in mechanical products (plastic injection molding, die casting, extrusion, sheet metal fabrication, etc.)
- Experience in continuous process improvements, supplier audits, supplier performance management, escalation management, design of experiments (DOE) and risk assessments.
- Solid understanding of quality tools such as statistical process control, process improvements, yield improvements, cycle time reductions, pareto charts, root cause analysis, failure modes, test procedures, gauge repeatability & reproducibility, FAI (first article inspection), CpK (statistical process capability), etc.
- Willingness to travel (expected 60%-80% travel time, mostly domestic in China but can include other geographies based on the supply chain)
- Excellent communication skills, fluent in English and Mandarin (both oral and written)
- Experience and track record in influencing suppliers at both the engineer level as well as the executive level.