Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Title: Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Description

This Senior Supplier Quality Engineer role provides quality engineering and continuous improvement leadership across suppliers, engineering, and quality organizations. You will lead supplier problem solving, implement corrective actions, perform process and quality system audits, qualify new components and processes, and drive strategic improvements across the supplier base. The position supports the full product lifecycle-from concept and design through New Product Introduction (NPI) and sustaining-by embedding robust supplier quality practices, improving manufacturing capability, and driving continuous global supplier improvement. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in electronics manufacturing, supplier development, APQP/PPAP, structured problem solving, Six Sigma, and holds a third-party ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor credential.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification and ongoing performance management for PCB and PCBA suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier electronic assembly processes, including SMT, wave soldering, conformal coating, cleanliness, in-circuit testing (ICT), and functional testing.
• Ensure supplier compliance with IPC-A-610 and related standards such as J-STD-001 and IPC-A-600.
• Drive supplier quality controls, readiness, and overall performance improvement, including New Product Introduction (NPI) readiness.
• Improve supplier process capability, reduce scrap, enhance consistency, and prevent defects across the supplier base.
• Lead APQP/PPAP flow-down requirements in collaboration with Engineering and Supply Chain teams.
• Develop and maintain incoming quality control (IQC) plans, sampling strategies, and test and inspection requirements.
• Support and approve First Article qualifications for new components and processes.
• Lead Design FMEA (DFMEA) and Process FMEA (PFMEA) activities related to supplier processes.
• Support stop-ships, containment activities, investigations, and other quality-related actions as needed.
• Conduct supplier process, system, and product audits and drive timely closure of nonconformities.
• Ensure supplier quality procedures, work instructions, and records meet Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
• Maintain proper documentation, traceability, change control, and configuration management at suppliers.
• Communicate supplier risks, quality status, and improvement progress to leadership with clarity and urgency.
• Lead supplier-related APQP/PPAP activities for NPI, including DFM/A reviews, PFMEA, control plans, MSA/GR&R, First Article Inspection (FAI), and process validations.
• Partner with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Operations to ensure manufacturability and quality robustness of electronic designs.
• Provide supplier manufacturing and process capability input during Engineering Design Reviews.
• Define acceptance criteria, MSA/GR&R requirements, and Critical-to-Quality (CtQ) characteristics for supplier components and processes.
• Verify supplier process readiness for product launch, including line qualification, tooling readiness, and assembly readiness.
• Ensure suppliers meet launch quality targets such as DPPM, rolled throughput yield (RTY), and escape rates.
• Monitor supplier quality performance, including defect trends, process variation, cost of quality (CoQ) metrics, and incoming quality performance.
• Lead structured problem solving (8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa) for supplier-related issues, customer returns, and internal escapes.
• Monitor and improve supplier performance metrics, including cost of poor quality (CoPQ), scrap, rework, and yield.
• Optimize supplier test strategies (ICT, functional test, AOI, and related methods) to minimize escapes.
• Drive permanent corrective actions and verify their effectiveness through data analysis and process validation.
• Support containment activities, rework coordination, concessions, and stop-ship decisions when required.
• Promote a culture of quality, data integrity, and continuous improvement by applying Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and related continuous improvement tools.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 8-10+ years of Supplier Quality Engineering experience, preferably in electronics or PCBA manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of PCB manufacturing and PCBA assembly flow.
• Hands-on experience in electronics manufacturing and supplier development.
• IPC-A-610 training or certification.
• Demonstrated expertise in APQP and PPAP processes.
• Proven experience leading PFMEA and DFMEA activities.
• Experience developing and managing control plans and MSA/GR&R studies.
• ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor certification from a third-party organization.
• Proficiency with structured problem-solving tools, including 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa diagrams.
• Experience with Lean, Kaizen, or Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt or higher preferred).
• Strong understanding of supplier quality controls, IQC planning, and inspection strategies.
• Ability to analyze supplier performance metrics such as CoQ, CoPQ, scrap, rework, and yield.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate risks, status, and progress to leadership.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% to supplier or manufacturing sites.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with J-STD-001 and IPC-A-600 standards.
• Understanding of electronics reliability concepts such as Weibull analysis and FRACAS.
• Knowledge of automotive or advanced quality management frameworks, including IATF-related quality systems.
• Strong electronics understanding, including reading schematics, familiarity with LCD technologies, and component-level knowledge.
• Working knowledge of Oracle PLM systems.
• Experience with ERP and MES systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong statistical analysis skills and a data-driven decision-making approach.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive action without formal authority.
• High sense of ownership, urgency, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Work Environment

The role centers on collaboration with global suppliers, engineering teams, and operations within an electronics and PCBA manufacturing context. You will frequently engage with PCB and PCBA suppliers and evaluate their processes, including SMT, wave soldering, conformal coating, cleanliness controls, in-circuit testing (ICT), functional testing, and automated optical inspection (AOI). The environment emphasizes a structured Quality Management System aligned with ISO 9001:2015 and leverages industry standards such as IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, and IPC-A-600. You will use tools and systems such as Oracle PLM, ERP, and MES platforms, along with statistical analysis methods and structured problem-solving frameworks like 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa. The position requires up to 30% travel to supplier and manufacturing sites, where you will perform audits, process validations, line qualifications, and on-site problem solving. The culture promotes data integrity, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration, with a strong focus on launch readiness, robust manufacturing capability, and sustained supplier performance.

We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to sex, race, or any other protected classification.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. This temporary role may be eligible for the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• 401(k)/Roth
• Insurance (Basic/Supplemental Life & AD&D)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts (HSA & DCFSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program

.Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Everett, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $75.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Everett,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 18, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.