We are seeking a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) – Composite Materials to take end-to-end ownership of supplier quality for composite materials and components. This role focuses on ensuring robust manufacturing processes, material integrity, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across a global supplier base. The role goes beyond inspection and compliance, emphasizing process capability, risk mitigation, and supplier maturity. The Senior SQE will lead supplier qualification, process validation, and technical quality decisions, acting as a key interface between suppliers and internal teams such as engineering, manufacturing, NDT, and program quality.
Key Responsibilities
Supplier Quality Leadership
- Own supplier quality performance throughout the full lifecycle: development, qualification, and serial production.
- Qualify and certify new composite suppliers through capability assessments, readiness reviews, and audits.
- Conduct system, process, and special process audits, including composite layup, curing, machining, and bonding.
- Drive supplier performance using scorecards, KPIs, and structured improvement roadmaps.
Process Control, Validation & Risk Management
- Ensure robust control of composite manufacturing processes through definition and monitoring of Critical Process Parameters (CPPs), Key Characteristics (KCs), and process windows.
- Lead First Article Inspections (FAI) and process validation in accordance with aerospace standards (e.g., AS9102).
- Identify and mitigate supplier risks using PFMEA and structured process risk assessments.
Material Assurance, Compliance & NDT Oversight
- Review and approve material certifications, Certificates of Conformance, control plans, and quality records.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and customer aerospace standards.
- Provide technical oversight of NDT activities (UT, C-scan, RT, thermography), including definition of acceptance criteria and review of results.
- Lead technical quality investigations related to composite defects (e.g., voids, delamination, bonding issues), including root cause analysis and CAPA implementation.
Technical Authority & Internal Support
- Act as technical quality authority for composite suppliers.
- Advise internal stakeholders on supplier capabilities, material selection, and process limitations.
- Maintain expert-level knowledge of composite manufacturing technologies, including prepreg layup, resin infusion / RTM, autoclave and out-of-autoclave curing.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent.
- 5–8+ years of experience in Supplier Quality Engineering with strong expertise in composite materials and special processes.
- Solid experience with AS9100, NADCAP, supplier audits, and process qualification.
- Proven ability to lead, influence, and make sound technical quality decisions.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Preferred Experience
- Aerospace or space-grade composite structures.
- Hands-on experience with composite NDT and acceptance criteria.
- Familiarity with major aerospace standards (e.g., ECSS, ESA, NASA, or equivalent).
- Experience working in high-reliability or safety-critical environments.
Key Competencies
- Technical authority and confident decision-making
- Risk-based and systems-thinking mindset
- Ability to manage and develop multiple suppliers
- Data-driven, process-oriented approach to quality
If you are interested in this challenging position we are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive application for
ref.no. 109,355 preferably through our
ISG career portal or via email.
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