Supplier Quality Engineer

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) ensures that external suppliers consistently provide materials, components, processes, and services that meet AMETEK, customer, contractual, and regulatory requirements. The role provides technical supplier-quality leadership for radio-frequency (RF) amplifiers, printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) used in aircraft electronic “black box” equipment, PCBA manufacturing processes, electric motors, and starter-generators. The SQE protects product conformity and delivery performance through supplier qualification, process and product audits, risk-based surveillance, data analysis, corrective action, and cross-functional collaboration across PDS locations. This position can be based in either Binghtamon, NY or Wichita, KS.

Essential Duties & Responsibilites:

Lead supplier quality activities from source selection and qualification through ongoing performance monitoring, development, and, when necessary, disqualification.

Plan and conduct supplier QMS, process, and product audits against ISO 9001, AS9100, AMETEK requirements, purchase-order flowdowns, drawings, specifications, and approved manufacturing processes.

Assess supplier capability for RF amplifier assemblies and aircraft electronics, including RF-sensitive workmanship, shielding/grounding, connector and cable integrity, component control, configuration control, test discipline, traceability, and environmental or acceptance-test compliance.

Evaluate PCBA manufacturing controls for SMT and through-hole assembly, soldering, rework/repair, cleanliness, ESD controls, moisture-sensitive devices, special process controls, inspection, functional test, and design-for-manufacturability risk.

Evaluate manufacturing controls for AC/DC motors, generators, and starter-generators, including winding, insulation systems, soldering/brazing, varnish or impregnation, balancing, machining, assembly, electrical test, mechanical test, and final acceptance.

Review supplier processes, control plans, PFMEAs, inspection plans, manufacturing instructions, test procedures, calibration controls, capability studies, and objective evidence to verify effective process control.

Monitor supplier performance using defects, escapes, receiving rejects, complaints, corrective-action status, delivery impact, and trend data; develop and maintain supplier scorecards and risk-based priorities.

Initiate and manage supplier containment and Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs). Validate root cause, correction, corrective action, implementation evidence, and sustained effectiveness using structured methods such as 5-Why, fishbone, 8D, DMAIC, and FMEA.

Lead supplier-related root cause and corrective action for production disruptions, customer escapes, field returns, and repeat nonconformances; coordinate recovery plans with Operations, Materials, Engineering, Receiving Inspection, and Quality.

Support new product introduction and supplier transitions by reviewing producibility, quality planning, inspection and test readiness, first article requirements, documentation, and capacity or process risks before production approval.

Review First Article Inspection packages in accordance with AS9102 and applicable customer requirements; support APQP/PPAP activities when contractually or internally required.

Ensure applicable quality and regulatory requirements are accurately flowed to suppliers and lower-tier sources, including control of changes, nonconforming product, counterfeit-part prevention, records, special processes, and customer-specific requirements.

Support the Approved Supplier List (ASL), supplier risk assessments, source inspections, deviation or concession reviews, MRB activities, and escalation of risks affecting conformity, compliance, or delivery.

Provide technical guidance and training to suppliers and internal teams on quality requirements, audit findings, defect prevention, and continuous improvement.

Support internal audits and third-party, customer, or regulatory audits as assigned. Maintain clear, complete, and audit-ready records of supplier evaluations, audits, corrective actions, approvals, and performance decisions

Support multiple PDS locations and product lines; travel to supplier sites as required. Perform other duties as assigned

Initiate supplier containment, increased inspection, controlled shipping, or other risk-control actions when product conformity may be affected

Issue SCARs, identify required objective evidence, and reject inadequate or ineffective responses

Recommend supplier approval, conditional approval, probation, development plans, suspension, or disqualification based on documented performance and risk

Escalate supplier quality or compliance risks that may affect safety, airworthiness, regulatory compliance, customer requirements, production, or delivery.

Up to 50% travel required

Position Requirements:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline required.

Equivalent relevant education and extensive supplier/manufacturing quality experience may be considered in accordance with company policy.

Experience:

Five to seven years of progressive quality, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or process engineering experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated experience auditing to ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 and evaluating compliance through objective evidence.

Hands-on experience with at least two of the following product/process areas: RF amplifiers or RF electronics; aerospace PCBAs/electronic black boxes; SMT/PTH PCBA manufacturing; electric motors; generators or starter-generators.

Aerospace industry and multi-site supplier quality experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision-marking, work quality, and to reduce costs. The successful candidate must be able to identify appropriate AI use cases and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs

Technical Knowledge & Skills:

Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100 requirements, process-based auditing, risk-based thinking, corrective action, internal auditing, and supplier auditing.

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, bills of material, specifications, acceptance criteria, purchase-order flowdowns, inspection/test records, and manufacturing documentation.

Knowledge of PCBA manufacturing processes, including SMT, PTH, soldering, rework, ESD, cleanliness, component traceability, automated/manual inspection, and functional test. Familiarity with applicable IPC workmanship standards is preferred.

Knowledge of RF amplifier or RF electronics manufacturing and test concepts, including grounding, shielding, interconnect integrity, configuration control, and verification against defined acceptance criteria.

Knowledge of electro-mechanical manufacturing processes applicable to motors, generators, and starter-generators, including winding, insulation, impregnation, balancing, machining, assembly, and performance testing.

Proficiency in supplier audits, FMEA, control plans, SPC, process capability, MSA, 8D, 5-Why, fishbone analysis, Lean Manufacturing, and data-driven problem solving.

Familiarity with AS9102 First Article Inspection, APQP/PPAP principles, FAA requirements, and customer-specific aerospace quality flowdowns preferred.

Strong analytical, written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills; able to communicate clear expectations while maintaining productive supplier partnerships.

Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and quality data or ERP systems. Ability to organize multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet critical deadlines.

Must be self-directed, detail-oriented, able to work well under pressure, and effective as a member of cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams.

Certifications:

Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), AS9100 Aerospace Auditor, or equivalent auditor training is preferred.

Lead auditor training to ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 is strongly preferred.