Quality Engineer

How will you make an impact?

We are launching a new manufacturing site in Salisbury, NC focused on cold plates and liquid-cooled infrastructure products.

This is a builder's role: we're looking for a Supplier Quality leader with proven results standing up supplier quality at a facility from ground zero-creating the processes, developing the team, qualifying suppliers, and driving stable ramp to volume.

You will lead supplier quality strategy and execution across cold plate, precision machining, fluid handling, and surface finishing/plating supply chains. You'll also manage a team of Incoming Quality Inspectors, establishing robust incoming controls and escalation pathways while partnering closely with Engineering, NPI, Operations, and Program Management.

Location:

This role will be onsite and will work a day shift schedule Mon- Fri.

Travel: Up to 25% to suppliers and partner sites (domestic; occasional international if needed)

What will you do?

New Site Build-Out (Ground Zero)-

* Stand up the Supplier Quality function for a new facility: governance, SOPs, templates, and operating cadence.

* Establish and deploy PPAP-based supplier readiness expectations aligned to customer requirements and internal standards.

* Build a scalable model for supplier onboarding, qualification, risk tiering, and ongoing supplier performance management.

Supplier Qualification, Audits & PPAP Execution-

* Lead supplier capability assessments and qualification activities (QMS/process audits, special process validation, traceability, calibration, ESD controls as applicable).

* Own supplier PPAP strategy and execution including:

o Design records & change control alignment

o Process Flow, PFMEA, Control Plan

o MSA/GR&R, capability studies (Cp/Cpk where applicable)

o FAI / dimensional layouts

o Material certs, compliance requirements

o Part Submission Warrant (PSW) approval and supplier readiness sign-off

* Drive supplier corrective actions and verify effectiveness through data and re-validation.

NPI Ramp Sustaining for Cold Plates & Liquid Cooling-

* Partner with Engineering/NPI to identify CTQs and ensure suppliers can meet dimensional, plating, leak integrity, cleanliness, thermal performance, reliability, and cosmetic expectations.

* Support quality planning and validation for:

o Cold plates: machined features, internal flow paths, flatness, surface finish, brazed/bonded joints, fittings, seals, and material compatibility

o Surface finishing/plating: nickel plating and silver plating suppliers, including coating thickness, adhesion, coverage, porosity, corrosion resistance, masking, cleanliness, and special process controls

o Liquid cooling products: cold plates, manifolds, CDUs, pumps, heat exchangers, QD couplers, hoses/tubing, seals

* Ensure supplier processes support leak integrity, cleanliness/contamination control, material compatibility, plating quality, corrosion resistance, and thermal performance.

Incoming Quality & Supplier Performance Management-

* Lead Incoming Quality Control strategy: inspection plans, sampling, gage control, inspection work instructions, and disposition workflows.

* Build and manage supplier performance scorecards (PPM/DPPM, escapes, OTD, COPQ, audit performance).

* Lead containment and escalation for supplier issues (stop-ship criteria, sorting, deviations/waivers, MRB support).

Corrective/Preventive Action & Continuous Improvement-

* Drive structured problem solving with suppliers using 8D / A3 / 5-Why / Ishikawa.

* Implement preventive actions tied to PFMEA risk reduction and field/production feedback.

* Drive supplier process improvement focused on yield, cycle time, reliability, and cost of poor quality.

People Leadership (Inspectors)-

* Lead, coach, and develop a team of Incoming Quality Inspectors (scheduling, training, work allocation, and performance management).

* Build training and certification plans for inspectors (inspection methods, blueprint/GD&T basics, gage use, workmanship standards).

* Ensure consistent execution of incoming inspection and clear escalation to SQE/Engineering.

How will you get here?

* Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, Industrial, or related).

* 7 years in Supplier Quality / Manufacturing Quality in precision machined, plated, or liquid cooling products.

* Demonstrated success building or scaling quality systems at a new site or major facility expansion.

* Strong working knowledge and hands-on leadership using PPAP (PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA, capability, PSW).

* Experience leading supplier audits and driving corrective actions to verified closure.

* Required experience working with nickel plating and silver plating suppliers, including supplier qualification, process controls, plating specifications, coating thickness/adhesion verification, and corrective actions.

* Ability to operate hands-on in a manufacturing environment (supplier floor site floor).

Preferred Qualifications-

* Experience with cold plates, liquid cooling systems, thermal management products, or high-performance computing infrastructure.

* Experience with liquid cooling systems and cold plate failure modes (leak, contamination, corrosion, seal integrity, plating adhesion/coverage, material compatibility, and thermal performance).

* Working knowledge of ISO 9001 environment and customer audit readiness.

* Lean/Six Sigma (Green Belt ) or equivalent structured CI experience.

Core Competencies-

* Startup mindset: structured, fast, practical-build it right, then scale it.

* Strong risk judgment: knows what must be perfect vs what must be "good enough to launch safely."

* Supplier influence without authority; can drive action through clarity and standards.

* Strong executive communication: can turn quality chaos into decision-ready updates.

What Success Looks Like (First 6-12 Months)-

* PPAP-based supplier readiness framework deployed for the site.

* Critical suppliers qualified with stable processes and approved PPAPs prior to ramp.

* Incoming inspection system running smoothly with trained inspectors and clear escalation.

* Reduced supplier escapes and measurable improvement in PPM/DPPM and COPQ during ramp.

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