Supplier Quality Engineer I

The Supplier Quality Engineer I will support the qualification, monitoring, and continuous improvement of suppliers and contract manufacturing partners. This role helps ensure that purchased materials, components, assemblies, and finished products consistently meet ZincFive’s quality, reliability, and delivery requirements. The Supplier Quality Engineer I will collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Purchasing to resolve supplier quality issues, support new product introductions, review Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions, and strengthen supplier manufacturing processes. This position follows a hybrid schedule, combining onsite work at ZincFive headquarters in Tualatin, Oregon with remote work and reports directly to the Supplier Quality Manager.

Supplier Quality Engineer I Job Duties:

• Support qualification, onboarding, and approval of new, existing, and alternate suppliers and contract manufacturers, including documentation, capability assessments, and manufacturing risk evaluations
• Participate in supplier and contract manufacturer audits, process and quality system assessments, and manufacturing readiness reviews; evaluate manufacturing processes and quality controls against company requirements and applicable industry standards
• Monitor supplier and contract manufacturer performance, including defects, first-pass yield, escapes, customer returns, corrective action responsiveness, and required quality documentation
• Analyze quality data to identify defects, recurring issues, adverse trends, and improvement opportunities; develop scorecards, trend reports, and management review inputs; communicate findings through dashboards and cross-functional reviews
• Prioritize supplier audits, corrective actions, development activities, and incoming inspection requirements based on quality data
• Support supplier development to improve product quality, process capability, manufacturing robustness, and delivery performance; follow up on agreed actions to ensure timely completion
• Escalate significant product, process, or supplier performance risks to the Supplier Quality Manager and relevant stakeholders
• Support ongoing quality oversight of international contract manufacturing partners producing ZincFive products and assemblies, including new product introductions, engineering changes, PPAP, process validation, and production readiness
• Verify that contract manufacturers implement approved engineering changes, quality requirements, and production controls
• Coordinate with contract manufacturers and their critical suppliers to resolve quality issues and strengthen manufacturing process controls
• Review incoming nonconformances reported by Quality Technicians; coordinate containment, investigation, affected-material scope, and Material Review Board disposition with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Support development and implementation of incoming inspection processes, plans, sampling requirements, and acceptance criteria; use supplier performance and inspection data to recommend risk-based adjustments
• Issue and coordinate supplier and contract manufacturer corrective action requests; track due dates and closure evidence, and escalate overdue or inadequate responses
• Support root cause investigations using structured tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, and Pareto analysis; review containment, root cause, and corrective and preventive action responses for completeness and technical adequacy, consulting internal subject matter experts as needed
• Verify implementation and effectiveness of supplier corrective and preventive actions; identify systemic or recurring supplier quality risks and recommend preventive actions
• Support supplier quality planning and readiness for new products, parts, engineering changes, manufacturing transfers, and supplier changes; initiate PPAP with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Purchasing, communicating submission requirements, acceptance criteria, and due dates to suppliers
• Review PPAP submissions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance; track approval status, conditions, and follow-up actions
• Perform first-article inspections against specifications, with Quality Technician support as needed
• Support manufacturing and process quality initiatives; follow company procedures and quality management system requirements, supporting compliance with applicable customer, regulatory, contractual, and industry standards
• Participate in internal and external audits and quality system improvements; support development, revision, and implementation of quality procedures, work instructions, forms, and records to improve supplier and process quality efficiency and consistency

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, electrical, or a related engineering or technical field, or an associate or technical degree with equivalent manufacturing and quality experience
• 2+ years in quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, supplier quality, or a related technical role in a manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of quality control, manufacturing processes, structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and corrective action
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and technical requirements
• Ability to collect, analyze, and communicate quality data and evaluate inspection results against product acceptance requirements
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience with ERP, quality management, and document control systems
• Experience using Microsoft Copilot or similar AI tools for summaries, data analysis, and efficiency
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 requirements
• Experience with PPAP and APQP; familiarity with PFMEA, control plans, MSA, and process capability studies
• Working knowledge of GD&T
• Experience supporting supplier, customer, or internal audits and preparing or reviewing work instructions, inspection plans, procedures, and quality records
• Experience in battery, electronics, industrial manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy storage, or a related industry
• Ability to travel up to 30%, domestically and occasionally internationally, for supplier visits, audits, and qualifications

Preferred Experience/Skills:

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer certification

Key Competencies:

• Accepts coaching and applies feedback
• Attention to detail and organizational skills
• Data collection and analysis
• Analytical thinking, problem-solving and results orientation
• Teamwork and cross functional collaboration
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to travel up to 30%, domestically and occasionally internationally
• Manufacturing, warehouse and office environments
• Ability to wear PPE on face and body when required
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds
• Must be able to maintain a level state of alertness while performing this job

Salary offers will depend on factors that include the location you work from, your level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience and comparison to other employees already in this role. In addition, the successful candidate for this position will become eligible for a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k, paid sick time, paid time off for vacation, paid holidays, paid community service days, professional/personal learning program, and applicable state/federal family leave. ZincFive is committed to employing a diverse workforce. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status. We maintain a safe workplace and perform pre-employment testing. ZincFive is a participant in E-Verify and receives employment authorization of new hires through Social Security and the Department of Homeland Security databases.