Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Advanced Ground Systems Engineering is hiring an onsite Senior Supplier Quality Engineer to strengthen supplier performance and help ensure purchased components, materials, assemblies, and outsourced processes meet AGSE, customer, quality system, and applicable regulatory requirements. This role combines technical leadership, supplier partnership, and continuous improvement to support reliable delivery from prototype through production.

Location: Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 (onsite)
Pay: USD 105,000 - 140,000 per year

What you will do

• Provide guidance to entry-level and mid-level Quality Engineers through training, development, and mentorship.
• Partner with Engineering and Supply Chain/Buysers on supplier selection, qualification, and development.
• Ensure suppliers receive clear technical and quality expectations through purchase order flowdown, procurement codes, and ERP system information.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships to align on standards, expectations, and improvement goals.
• Manage onboarding and surveillance audits, on-site and remote, for compliance to ISO 9001 and AGSE-specific requirements.
• Manage source inspections on-site and remote to support compliance with AGSE purchase order flowdown requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance using scorecards and key quality metrics and report results internally.
• Manage supplier nonconformance (NCMRs), deviation requests, and concession approvals.
• Lead and facilitate RCCA activities for supplier issues using common methods such as 8D, 5-Why, and Ishikawa.
• Oversee First Article Inspections (FAIs) per AS9102 or AGSE-specific requirements.
• Assess and validate special processes requiring additional certifications (for example welding, plating, heat treating), aligned to industry accreditation such as NADCAP and AWS Welding.
• Provide supplier quality guidance, including reviews of PPAPs, PFMEAs, and Control Plans.
• Support NPD and NPI to ensure supplier readiness from prototype through production.
• Participate in internal and external audits involving ISO, customers, and regulatory bodies.
• Promote continuous improvement and lean practices within AGSE and its supplier base, including supplier quality improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on supplier quality for strategic supply chain initiatives.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years in Quality Engineering, preferably in aerospace, manufacturing, or defense.
• Minimum 7 years in a Supplier Quality Engineering role.
• Minimum 3 years working in a manufacturing environment specializing in complex machined components, 3D CAD modeling, and structural welding.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 standards.
• Proficiency in FAIRs (AS9102), PPAP, APQP, and SPC.
• GD&T fundamentals and ability to interpret engineering drawings.
• Working knowledge of inspection tools and technologies including CMMs, PCMMs, Romer/Faro Arms.
• Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems.
• Willing and able to travel domestically and internationally to supplier sites. Estimated travel up to 40% of working time.
• Familiarity with NADCAP and special process audits.
• Preferred: CQE, Six Sigma, or ISO Lead Auditor certification.

Systems and standards you will work with

• ISO 9001, AS9100, FAIRs (AS9102), PPAP, APQP, SPC, GD&T
• CMMs, PCMMs, Romer/Faro Arms
• ERP/MRP systems, NADCAP, AWS Welding

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Physical requirements and working conditions

• Regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk or hear in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel, or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; lift up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Typically office or warehouse conditions with quiet to moderate noise.
• In certain assignments, may work near moving equipment and be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, biological hazards, airborne fumes, outdoor weather conditions, and loud, prolonged noise.