Supplier Quality Engineer

AT3 Staffing is partnering with an innovative aerospace manufacturer in Vergennes, VT to identify a highly skilled Supplier Quality Engineer with expertise in electrical systems, printed circuit boards (PCB), and circuit card assemblies (CCA). This is a unique opportunity to play a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of cutting-edge aerospace products used in some of the industry's most demanding applications.

In this position, you'll serve as the key quality liaison between the organization and its global supplier network, driving supplier excellence, resolving complex technical challenges, and ensuring compliance with rigorous aerospace and defense standards. If you're passionate about high-reliability electronics, supplier development, and continuous improvement, this role offers the chance to make a significant impact on mission-critical programs.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality & Development

• Lead the qualification, approval, and ongoing management of suppliers supporting electrical components, PCB fabrication, and circuit card assembly manufacturing.
• Conduct supplier audits, assessments, and performance reviews to ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards and customer requirements.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes including SMT assembly, through-hole assembly, conformal coating, and environmental testing.
• Develop strong supplier partnerships while driving accountability and continuous improvement initiatives.

Technical Leadership – Electronics & CCA Manufacturing

• Serve as the subject matter expert for PCB fabrication, electronics assembly, and high-reliability soldering processes.
• Ensure compliance with IPC standards, aerospace regulations, and customer-specific requirements.
• Review manufacturing processes, inspection methods, and test procedures to verify product quality and reliability.
• Analyze engineering drawings, schematics, specifications, and technical documentation to support supplier performance and product integrity.

Problem Solving & Corrective Action

• Lead investigations into supplier-related failures, escapes, and nonconformances using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, RCCA, and FMEA.
• Drive containment activities and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) through effective implementation and verification.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and supplier teams to resolve complex quality issues.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics including PPM, on-time delivery, yield, and quality escapes.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead supplier improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction, process capability, yield improvement, and operational excellence.
• Coach suppliers on best practices for quality systems, process controls, and high-reliability electronics manufacturing.
• Identify opportunities to enhance supplier performance and reduce risk across the supply chain.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• 5 years of Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Quality Engineering experience within the aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industries.
• Hands-on experience supporting PCB fabrication and CCA manufacturing in high-reliability environments.
• Proven success working directly with suppliers to improve quality performance and resolve technical issues.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of:
• PCB fabrication and assembly processes
• Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
• Through-Hole Technology (THT)
• Conformal coating applications
• Environmental and qualification testing
• Expertise with industry standards including:
• IPC-A-610 Class 3
• IPC-J-STD-001
• IPC-7711/7721
• AS9100
• AS9102 (First Article Inspection)
• AS5553 (Counterfeit Parts Prevention)
• Experience with inspection and test methodologies such as:
• Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
• Automated X-Ray Inspection (AXI)
• In-Circuit Testing (ICT)
• Flying Probe Testing
• Functional Testing

Quality & Analytical Skills

• Strong background in:
• Root Cause Analysis
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• FMEA
• Control Plans
• Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
• Data-driven approach to decision-making and continuous improvement.

Professional Skills

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence supplier performance and drive results without direct authority.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting avionics, space, defense, or other mission-critical aerospace systems.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience working with global electronics manufacturers and contract manufacturing partners.
• Knowledge of thermal management, vibration and shock testing, and harsh-environment electronics reliability.

Travel

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30–50% to support supplier audits, qualifications, and improvement initiatives.

Compensation

$80,000 – $130,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and technical expertise.