Senior Supplier Quality Engineer, Cable & Wire Harness

As a Senior Supply Quality Engineer, you will work inside & outside the organization to define, develop, and execute processes that deliver high quality & reliable cable and wire harness. This role focuses on collaborating and driving early engagement to get cables and wire harness sub-systems and assemblies to meet our quality requirements the first time. Everything comes down to clarity and action with our suppliers and partnering with them for world class results is essential across the supply chain. The right person for this role has knowledge of manufacturing, supply management, supplier development, sub-system performance criteria and metrology, and continuous improvement. If you are someone who loves to build world-class quality processes with suppliers, work hands-on with engineering, and be accountable for results, then this role is for you.
WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Supplier Quality Development & Product Lifecycle Integration: Drive the comprehensive supplier quality development processes throughout all product development stages, working collaboratively with the product engineering team. This includes leading design reviews, guiding supplier process development, overseeing testing, and ensuring qualification for components and sub-assemblies of cables and wire harness products. Critically review supplier processes and capabilities to ensure robust alignment with complex cable and wire harness requirements.
• Functional Test Process Development: For unique and specialized cables and wire harnesses, partner closely with development engineering or manufacturing engineering to design, develop, qualify, and implement effective functional test processes at supplier sites.
• Cross-Functional Program Support & Risk Management: Collaborate with development engineering, product quality engineering, global strategic sourcing, and program management to ensure predictable and high-quality supply for development and production programs. Proactively manage exceptions, containments, and deviations related to supplier technical performance. Drive supplier quality readiness by analyzing key and critical characteristics on drawings and supplier specifications, developing robust measurement systems, and executing comprehensive supplier qualification activities (e.g., PPAP, FAIR, Audits, inspection development).
• Strategic Supplier Performance Management: Partner with Global Strategic Sourcing and Product Sourcing Engineering to drive overall supplier performance, focusing on cost, quality, delivery, and the fulfillment of strategic supply chain goals.
• Risk Elimination & Reliability Enhancement: Own the systematic elimination of supplier-related risks to measurably improve quality and reliability across the entire product lifecycle. Utilize a range of tools including audits, readiness reviews, and training to ensure supplier compliance and proactive risk mitigation.
• Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Actions: Lead and support Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) and Material Review Board (MRB) activities. Own the implementation and effectiveness of containments derived from purchased goods. Drive the resolution of fitment and performance issues.
• Supplier Corrective Action Effectiveness: Review and validate the effectiveness of supplier corrective actions and disseminate lessons learned across the product and engineering teams. Drive the Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR) process to ensure timely and effective resolution.
• Quality Management System Auditing: Audit the Quality Management System (QMS) at our suppliers, with a specific focus on aspects pertaining to cable and wire harness quality and performance. Define and improve required documentation and activities as needed to ensure adherence to flow-down requirements from customers and relevant industry standards.
• Supplier Audits & Compliance Leadership: Prepare, support, and lead comprehensive supplier onsite audits and reviews for contract deliverables, ensuring quality management and compliance with all applicable requirements.
• Continuous Improvement Leadership: Lead and mentor cross-functional teams on continuous improvement projects that enhance supplier quality performance, process efficiency, and overall product reliability.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education & Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in Supplier Quality Engineering, onsite Quality Engineering for Inspection, or Manufacturing Engineering specifically within Wire Harness production.
• Technical Expertise & Industry Standards:
• Deep understanding and practical application of industry standards relevant to cables and wire harnesses, including but not limited to:
• SAE (e.g., AS50881, AS22759).
• IPC (e.g., IPC-A-620, IPC-A-610, WHMA-A-620).
• J-STD-001: Requirements for Electrical and Electronic Assemblies.
• NASA Standards (e.g., NASA-STD-8739 series, where applicable).
• Demonstrated experience evaluating wire harness manufacturing processes, ensuring adherence to best practices and industry specifications.
• Proven experience performing source inspections at wire harness manufacturing suppliers.
• Extensive experience flowing down Source Control Requirements and specifications to suppliers.
• Hands-on experience implementing Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) within a Wire Harness Manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated experience with thermocouple wires, copper conductors, RF cables, Fiber Optic (FO) cables, and flexible cable assemblies.
• Comprehensive understanding of wire harness design, manufacturing processes, and quality control methodologies.
• Experience in functional & Hi-Pot testing for Wire Harness Assemblies.
• In-depth knowledge of various types of electrical splices and termination methods used in wire harnesses.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and specifications.
• Quality Systems & Methodologies:
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and relevant industry-specific QMS requirements (e.g., AS9100/AS9100D).
• Proficiency in product development methodologies such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), including elements like Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), quality improvement techniques, and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience performing First Article Inspection (FAI) according to industry standards like AS9102.
• Application of first principles and Six Sigma methodologies to problem-solving, process optimization, and quality improvement.
• Supplier Management & Continuous Improvement:
• Proven ability to drive supplier performance and evaluation, including experience with Statement of Work (SOW) development, quality clauses, intellectual property (IP), and relevant government regulations (e.g., ITAR).
• A strong ownership mindset with demonstrated capability to drive projects from initiation to successful completion.
• Analytical skills and experience for data mining, data quality analysis, metrics generation, issue management systems, and statistical analysis tools (e.g., MatLab, JMP, MiniTab).
• Proven ability to lead and implement continuous improvement initiatives within a supplier quality context, driving measurable gains in supplier performance and product quality.
• Experience in developing, standardizing, and optimizing quality processes and procedures across a supply base.
• Security & Travel:
• Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.
• Must be able to travel up to 25% - 50% of the time to suppliers, sourcing partners, and manufacturing locations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Active IPC-A-620 or IPC-A-610 Certification.
• Experience in creating material and process specifications for Wire Harness Fabrication
• Developing source inspection plans and qualifying the inspection process capabilities.
• Experience with government contracts and MIL standard requirements
• Experience with Teamcenter, SolidWorks, Oracle/Netsuite, Jira, Tableau, and Foundry