Supplier Quality Engineer, Thermal (Contract)

Job Overview

What You’ll Do:

• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure compliance with company and industry quality standards.
• Conduct specialized supplier audits (process, product, system) for thermal and electromechanical components, including heat exchangers, cooling systems, HV components, PCBA, wiring harnesses, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Develop and implement supplier performance metrics, including defect rates, response times, and process improvements.
• Work closely with suppliers to develop corrective and preventive action plans for nonconformance issues.
• Establish and validate supplier processes for thermal components, including assembly line setups, manufacturing, gauge design and approvals, first article inspection (FAI) and production part approval process (PPAP).
• Conduct incoming inspections and quality checks components as needed.
• Review and approve supplier documentation, such as control plans, FMEAs, Deviations and inspection reports.
• Ensure compliance with specifications, drawings, and industry standards such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100 as applicable.
• Participate in the supplier selection process by providing quality-related input.
• Lead weekly calls with suppliers to ensure parts are on track to meet quality and timing requirements for various build stages of the production line.
• Participate in design reviews with the design engineering and manufacturing team to mitigate risk for manufacturing and assembly.
• Monitor and report on supplier performance metrics, such as defect rates, delivery times, and compliance with specifications.
• Investigate and resolve quality issues related to supplier materials and components.
• Collaborate with suppliers to determine root causes of defects and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supplier quality and performance.
• Lead MRB meetings and act as a quality representative for the engineering change control board.

Who You Are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing) or a related technical field.
• 3-9 years of experience in manufacturing quality or supplier quality engineering, preferably in automotive, EV, or aerospace.
• Strong knowledge of thermal management systems and electromechanical assembly processes (HV, PCBA, wiring harnesses).
• Working experience with IPC 600, IPC 610, IPC 620, and USCAR standards.
• Strong understanding of quality core tools (QMS, audits, APQP, SPC, PPAP, FMEA, MSA).
• Proficiency in ISO 9001:2018 or IATF 16949 standards.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong understanding of High Voltage components and box builds (HVJB, HV Cables, Inverter etc.) and assembly processes.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (30-50%).
• ASQ certifications (CQE, CQA, CQM, Lean Six Sigma) are a plus.