Supplier Quality Engineer

Overview

Trust Automation has over 35 years of experience in custom motors, linear drives, digital drives, and systems which meet the unique needs of its customers. Its product line includes motors, linear drives, digital drives, custom assemblies, and products to fit unique applications and ground-up system design and manufacturing solutions. We design, build and support control and power management systems for the most demanding defense, semiconductor, industrial automation, and medical applications.

Trust Automation is an equal opportunity employer and committed to attracting, hiring, developing, and retaining a skilled, productive, and diverse workforce. Every employee has an “at-will” relationship with Trust Automation.

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for the end-to-end management of supplier quality to ensure consistent delivery of conforming materials, components, and services. This role owns supplier quality lifecycle activities including supplier selection support, onboarding, qualification, performance monitoring, re-evaluation, corrective action, and continuous improvement, in close partnership with Supply Chain and Engineering.

The SQE serves as the primary quality interface to suppliers and is accountable for supplier quality capability, compliance, and performance. The SQE and QE work collaboratively on supplier-related nonconformances to ensure effective containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, and prevention of recurrence.

This role supports compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, customer-specific requirements, and regulatory expectations (e.g., DCMA/DoD).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

• Partner with Supply Chain and Engineering in the selection and approval of new suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier quality capability, risk level, and regulatory compliance during the sourcing and selection process.
• Conduct supplier quality system audits, process audits, and capability assessments as part of onboarding.
• Ensure quality requirements, specifications, drawings, standards, and customer flow-downs are clearly defined and communicated prior to supplier approval.
• Support supplier approval, conditional approval, or disqualification decisions based on quality risk.
• Maintain supplier qualification records, audit results, and approval status in accordance with internal procedures and AS9100 requirements.

The SQE owns supplier quality management throughout the supplier lifecycle.

• Act as the primary quality point of contact for assigned suppliers.
• Maintain oversight of supplier approval status, scope of approval, and quality risk classification.
• Support and monitor the supplier re-evaluation and renewal process, including:
• Periodic audits and assessments
• Quality system and certification reviews
• Performance trend analysis
• Coordinate with Supply Chain on supplier renewals, status changes, and sourcing decisions based on quality performance and risk.
• Recommend supplier status changes using objective data.
• Monitor supplier performance using defined metrics, including:
• Quality-related delivery impacts
• SCAR responsiveness and effectiveness
• Repeat nonconformances and escapes
• Support supplier performance reviews and escalation activities when performance targets are not met.
• Drive supplier improvement plans, defect reduction initiatives, and capability improvement projects.
• Identify high-risk or underperforming suppliers and lead mitigation actions.
• Work closely with the assigned QE (NCR/MRB owner) on all supplier-related nonconformances.
• Support containment, investigation, and root cause analysis for supplier-caused NCRs.
• Own supplier communication related to nonconformances and corrective actions.
• Initiate and manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs).
• Verify corrective action implementation and effectiveness through data review, documentation review, audits, or on-site verification.
• Provide supplier risk assessments and corrective action status to support MRB disposition decisions.

• Support incoming inspection and receiving quality activities related to supplier quality risk.
• Review and approve supplier quality documentation, including:
• First Article Inspection Reports (FAI)
• Certificates of Conformance (COC)
• Test reports and inspection data
• PPAP / APQP elements (when applicable)
• CMTRs and special process certifications
• Support risk-based inspection planning and inspection strategy adjustments for supplier parts.

• Plan and conduct supplier quality system audits and process audits in accordance with AS9100 and ISO 9001 principles.
• Assess supplier controls over:
• Manufacturing processes
• Special…