Supplier Quality Engineer

Supplier Quality Engineer Onsite | Ashland, MA

At KiddeFenwal, our products help protect people, facilities, and critical assets around the world. Through Kidde Fire Systems, Kidde Fire Protection, and Fenwal Controls, we design and manufacture fire suppression, detection, and safety solutions used across a variety of commercial and industrial applications.

We are looking for a Supplier Quality Engineer who enjoys solving problems, working directly with suppliers, and improving how products are made.

This is a hands-on engineering role with significant ownership and visibility. You will partner with suppliers and our Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to solve quality problems, qualify new suppliers and components, and drive measurable improvements in supplier performance.

Approximately 80% of the role is focused on supplier quality and supplier development, with the remaining 20% supporting incoming inspection and First Article Inspection (FAI) activities. What You'll Do

• Own supplier quality activities for assigned suppliers and components.
• Qualify new suppliers and components and help ensure they are ready for production.
• Partner directly with suppliers to investigate defects, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Lead structured problem solving using 8D, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action methodologies.
• Coordinate quality requirements for new components, including FAI, PPAP, process qualification, Control Plans, and related documentation.
• Evaluate nonconforming material and coordinate containment and corrective actions with suppliers and internal teams.
• Track supplier performance using DPPM, nonconformance trends, corrective action performance, and supplier scorecards.
• Work with underperforming suppliers to improve processes, reduce defects, and prevent recurring quality issues.
• Support supplier development, continuous improvement, and risk-reduction initiatives.
• Support the qualification and transition of alternate suppliers and components.
• Perform and support First Article and incoming inspections, reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, dimensional requirements, and inspection results.
• Use inspection equipment such as calipers, micrometers, thread gauges, CMMs, and vision systems, as applicable.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to solve technical and supplier quality challenges.

What You'll Bring Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, process quality, manufacturing engineering, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Experience with dimensional inspection and precision measurement equipment.
• Experience investigating manufacturing or supplier quality issues and implementing corrective actions.
• Knowledge of structured problem-solving techniques such as 8D, root cause analysis, or equivalent methodologies.
• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems and ISO 9001.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities while collaborating effectively with suppliers and internal teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the ability to learn ERP and quality-management systems.

Even Better If You Have

• Direct supplier quality or supplier development experience.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, or Gauge R&R.
• Experience with machined, cast, forged, sheet-metal, or other manufactured components.
• Experience performing or supporting First Article Inspections.
• Familiarity with ANSI, ASTM, ASME, or similar engineering standards.
• Experience with ERP, engineering drawing, or document-management systems.
• Experience working within an ISO 9001-certified manufacturing environment.

Why This Role? This isn't a role where you'll spend all day reviewing paperwork. You'll have the opportunity to own supplier issues from investigation through resolution, work directly with suppliers, collaborate with engineers and manufacturing teams, and see the impact of your work on product quality and operational performance.

You'll join an environment where you can:

• Own meaningful supplier quality projects and make decisions.
• Gain exposure to a broad range of components, manufacturing processes, and technologies.
• Work directly with suppliers, engineers, manufacturing teams, and supply chain professionals.
• Develop deeper expertise in supplier development, problem solving, PPAP, FAI, and continuous improvement.
• Help improve the quality and reliability of products designed to protect people and critical assets.

If you're an engineer who likes getting to the root of problems, working collaboratively with suppliers, and seeing tangible results from your work, we'd like to hear from you.