Supplier Quality Engineer
The Supplier Quality Engineer at Confidential Client is responsible for supporting supplier evaluation, qualification, and continuous improvement to ensure compliance with quality and regulatory standards. This role involves conducting supplier audits, managing part approval processes, analyzing quality performance metrics, and collaborating cross-functionally to build strong supplier partnerships. The position offers an opportunity to develop expertise in supplier quality and manufacturing processes within a hybrid work environment.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
About the Role
Confidential Client, an established organization in the Scientific & QA industry, is hiring an Associate Supplier Quality & Performance Engineer (entry-level / early career Supplier Quality Engineer) to support supplier evaluation, qualification, and continuous improvement. You will work cross-functionally with Quality, Engineering, Operations, and Strategic Sourcing to build compliant, capable supplier partnerships that meet product, process and regulatory requirements. This position is based in Dayton, MN and may include a hybrid schedule. Travel ~15–20%.
What You’ll Do
- Assist in supplier qualification activities: review technical capability, capacity and certifications
- Perform on-site supplier audits for new and existing suppliers
- Help develop proactive quality plans with New Product Development teams using APQP methodologies
- Lead or participate in design review meetings to confirm supplier capability to product requirements
- Support part approval and qualification (PPAP / FAI or equivalent): coordinate documentation, review submissions, resolve measurement discrepancies
- Partner with engineering to verify supplier product and process readiness before production release
- Collect, analyze and report supplier quality performance metrics
- Conduct trend analysis and identify recurring quality issues and areas for improvement
- Create, review and track supplier corrective action requests (SCARs); verify effectiveness
- Review Non-Conformance Reports and drive resolution with suppliers and internal teams
- Support warranty, customer complaint (CC) investigations for purchased product
- Participate in supplier business reviews and lead supplier quality discussions
- Develop and monitor supplier development plans; recommend capability improvements
- Provide training/assistance to suppliers and purchasing personnel on supplier quality requirements and print/standard interpretation
- Adhere to supplier quality procedures and work instructions; perform other duties as assigned
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 0–3 years in manufacturing, quality, supplier quality, engineering, or supply chain roles
- Familiarity with supplier and regulatory compliance standards (ISO, AS, ITAR, REACH, RoHS, PFAS, etc.)
- Knowledge of PPAP, FAI, APQP and other supplier qualification/approval processes
- Competence with quality tools: FMEA, root-cause analysis, corrective action, mistake-proofing and process control
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and detailed documents
- Strong organizational skills; able to track multiple deadlines and follow up proactively
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for supplier and internal stakeholder interaction
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP or supplier management systems preferred
- Familiarity with PLM systems (e.g., Teamcenter) is a plus
- Collaborative, curious mindset with appetite to learn technical supplier/manufacturing topics
Preferred / Accelerators
- Manufacturing experience (casting, injection molding)
- Strong mechanical aptitude
- Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) knowledge
Compensation, Work Location & Legal
- Salary range (base): $54,300.00 - $95,100.00 per year (final base pay will be determined by location, experience, skills, and internal equity)
- Employment type: Full-time, permanent
- Location: Dayton, MN (hybrid schedule possible)
- Travel: Approximately 15–20%
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and unrestricted basis. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H‑1B, TN, or employment-based permanent residence). Candidates working under temporary work authorization (F‑1 OPT/STEM OPT/CPT or similar) are not eligible.
- Confidential Client uses E‑Verify to confirm employment eligibility.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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