Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Title: Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Description

The Supplier Quality Engineer provides quality engineering and continuous improvement leadership across suppliers, engineering, and quality organizations. This role leads supplier problem solving, implements corrective actions, performs process and quality system audits, qualifies new components and processes, and drives strategic improvements across the global 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 supplier improvement, with a strong focus on electronics and PCBA manufacturing.

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, and ICT/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 NPI readiness.
• Improve supplier process capability, reduce scrap, and enhance consistency and defect prevention.
• Lead APQP/PPAP flow-down requirements in collaboration with Engineering and Supply Chain.
• Develop and maintain incoming quality control (IQC) plans, sampling strategies, and test/inspection requirements.
• Support and approve First Article qualifications for new components and processes.
• Lead DFMEA and PFMEA activities related to supplier processes to identify and mitigate risks.
• Support stop-ship decisions, 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 and 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, and Critical-to-Quality (CtQ) characteristics for supplier-delivered components and assemblies.
• Verify supplier process readiness for launch, including line qualification, tooling, and assembly readiness.
• Ensure suppliers meet launch quality targets such as DPPM, RTY, and escape rates.
• Monitor supplier quality performance, including defect trends, process variation, cost of quality metrics, and incoming quality results.
• Lead structured problem-solving (8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa) for supplier-related issues, customer returns, and internal escapes.
• Monitor and improve supplier performance in areas such as 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 effectiveness through data analysis and process validation.
• Support containment, rework coordination, concessions, and stop-ship decisions when required.
• Promote a culture of quality, data integrity, and continuous improvement using Lean, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement tools.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Manufacturing, 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.
• IPC-A-610 training or certification.
• Demonstrated expertise in APQP/PPAP, PFMEA, DFMEA, control plans, and MSA/GR&R.
• ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor certification.
• 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).
• Willingness to travel up to 30% to supplier or manufacturing sites.
• Strong background in electronics manufacturing and quality engineering.
• Ability to lead supplier qualification, audits, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Capability to interpret and apply industry standards such as IPC-A-610 and related specifications.
• Strong data-driven decision-making and statistical analysis skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly with cross-functional teams and leadership and drive actions to closure.

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 ISO and IATF quality systems.
• Strong electronics understanding, including schematics, LCD technologies, and component-level knowledge.
• Working knowledge of Oracle PLM, ERP, and MES systems.
• Advanced statistical analysis capability and comfort working with large data sets for quality metrics.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive action without direct authority.
• High sense of ownership, urgency, and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Experience optimizing test strategies such as ICT, functional testing, AOI, and related methods.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) with APQP/PPAP, PFMEA, DFMEA, control plans, and validation activities.

Work Environment

The role is based within a modern office and manufacturing support environment. The position follows a hybrid work schedule, with three days in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and two days remote (Monday and Friday). The standard workweek is approximately 40 hours, with some overtime as needed to support critical supplier issues, new product launches, and key quality initiatives. The SQE collaborates closely with engineering, operations, and supplier teams and travels up to 30% of the time to supplier or manufacturing sites to conduct audits, support launches, and drive on-site improvements.

Regional talent in the Seattle/Everett areas are encouraged to apply with resume showing clear qualifications. We are also looking at internally-focused Quality Engineers and will consider those resumes for other roles.

#LI-MH3

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

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)

This is a hybrid position in Mukilteo,WA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 21, 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.

Salary : $60 - $75