Location: Thornton, CO OR Seminole, OK (Onsite)
Travel: 25 40% (if based in Colorado, you will be required to spend 1 week a month onsite in Oklahoma for the first 3-6 months)

Compensation:

• Colorado: $95K $130K
• Oklahoma: $85K $115K

A growing aerospace and defense manufacturer is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to support and improve the performance of its global supplier network. This role will focus on supplier quality, manufacturing compliance, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives across aerospace production environments.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring suppliers meet engineering, regulatory, and customer quality requirements throughout the product lifecycle from supplier qualification and new product introduction through ongoing production support.

Responsibilities

Supplier Quality & Development

• Lead supplier qualification activities including capability assessments, audits, and risk evaluations
• Support supplier onboarding and production readiness activities including First Article Inspection (FAI) and process validation
• Ensure suppliers comply with engineering, quality, and customer requirements
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems for compliance with AS9100 standards

Supplier Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor supplier KPIs, including:
  • PPM
  • On-Time Delivery (OTD)
  • Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)
  • Escapes and nonconformances
• Lead supplier performance reviews and corrective action plans
• Partner with Supply Chain and Operations teams to improve supplier performance and reduce risk
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction and process capability

Corrective Actions & Problem Solving

• Investigate supplier-related quality issues and nonconformances
• Lead root cause analysis activities using:
  • 8D
  • 5 Whys
  • Fishbone Diagrams
  • FMEA
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented and verified for effectiveness
• Escalate critical supplier issues and support containment activities when needed

Audits & Compliance

• Conduct supplier audits to ensure compliance with:
  • AS9100
  • FAA requirements
  • Aerospace manufacturing standards
• Support customer and regulatory audits involving suppliers
• Ensure suppliers maintain effective quality management systems

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program Management teams
• Provide technical input related to supplier risk, quality, and process controls
• Serve as a key liaison between internal teams and external suppliers

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor s Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering preferred
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience
• 5+ years of aerospace or defense industry experience
• Prior Supplier Quality Engineering experience required
• Strong knowledge of:
  • AS9100
  • FAA regulations
  • Root cause analysis methodologies
  • Supplier audits
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings and specifications
• Willingness to travel up to 40%

Preferred Qualifications

• CQE, CSQP, or Six Sigma certification
• AS9100 Lead Auditor certification
• Experience with:
  • APQP
  • SPC
  • FMEA
  • Control Plans
  • NADCAP environments

Ideal Backgrounds

Candidates from the following environments are highly relevant:

• Aerospace manufacturing
• Defense manufacturing
• Aircraft component suppliers
• OEM or Tier 1 aerospace suppliers
• FAA-regulated production environments

Additional Notes

• This is a fully onsite role
• Initial travel during onboarding may be higher during the first several months
• Strong communication and supplier-facing experience are critical for success in this position