Position Summary:
The Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer monitors, documents, communicates, and improves the quality of incoming parts used in Cadwell’s industry-leading neurodiagnostic equipment, as well as the business and supplier processes used to produce those parts. This role includes quality oversight of circuit board assemblies, cables, metals, plastics, and more. The Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer leads the technical aspects of initial supplier qualification and ongoing re-qualification efforts and oversees both internal and external CAPAs related to supplier and contract manufacturer controls. This role collaborates closely with Operations, Quality, and R&D Engineering teams.
Key Duties / Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with Operations and Design Engineering to develop and implement product acceptance sampling strategies, coordinate the Approved Supplier List (ASL), and establish supplier-owned control plans for new products
- Develop part qualification plans for new and revised components; determine incoming inspection requirements and create inspection plans (e.g., frequency, dimensional, visual, and functional criteria), including implementation and monitoring within the ERP system
- Lead response efforts for sourced-part quality issues identified during inspection, assembly, or in the field; manage supplier communication, containment, and replacement activities in collaboration with Procurement, Incoming Inspection, and suppliers
- Conduct failure analysis to determine root cause and define corrective and preventive actions (CAPA); validate and verify supplier actions for effectiveness
- Partner with Design Engineering on first article inspections, fit/form/function testing, drawing updates, and the design and implementation of measurement tools and fixtures; recommend design and specification improvements to enhance yield and reduce cost
- Support manufacturability and yield optimization by contributing to design and operations engineering activities from concept through release, including design reviews and prototype evaluation
- Participate in supplier and contract manufacturer selection, qualification, and re-qualification through planning and conducting on-site and remote quality system audits
- Assess supplier manufacturing environments and processes to evaluate capability and suitability; drive process improvements to ensure incoming part quality standards are met
- Identify and support supply chain cost-saving opportunities through part, material, and supplier qualification initiatives
- Proactively identify and mitigate supplier quality risks using experience, inspection data, and supplier control plans
Job Knowledge / Requirements:
- Comprehensive knowledge of printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing processes, including both bare board fabrication and populated assemblies
- Demonstrated experience coordinating supplier quality activities, including issue identification, communication, containment, and corrective action implementation
- Strong understanding of statistical analysis tools and methodologies (e.g., Cpk, Gage R&R, statistical process control)
- Knowledge of electronics design processes, tools, and design transfer formats
- Working experience with electronics debugging
- Proficiency in root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., Design of Experiments, Ishikawa/fishbone diagrams)
- Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., IPC, AS9100, ISO 9001)
- Ability to contribute effectively in cross-functional teams; strong communication skills, including presentations and reporting, with the ability to drive corrective actions
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of injection-molded plastics used in electronics packaging and associated manufacturing processes
- Working knowledge of sheet metal design and manufacturing
Education / Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent work experience
- Typically more than seven (7) years of relevant professional or technical engineering experience, including five (5) or more years in quality assurance
- Experience working with regulated equipment, preferably in a medical or similarly safety-conscious, highly regulated industry
Cadwell Industries, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and affirms the right of every individual to participate in all aspects of employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at careers@cadwell.com.