Senior Supplier Quality Engineer
Location: Corona, CA
Reports To: Quality Manager
Business Unit: Aerospace & Defense (A&D)
Pay Range: $85,000 – $106,000 base salary (Compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and location)
Position Summary
The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (Sr. SQE) plays a key role in supplier performance management, project oversight, and quality systems support. This role ensures the quality and reliability of supplier-provided materials and services through proactive assessment, analysis, and collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive supplier improvement initiatives to resolve root causes and implement corrective actions that improve quality, reduce rework/scrap, and boost on-time delivery (OTD).
- Lead cross-functional problem-solving teams using formal methodologies (5-Why, 8D, FMEA, Pareto, Fishbone, etc.).
- Analyze engineering drawings, specifications, technical publications, and purchase orders to ensure supplier compliance.
- Conduct and/or coordinate supplier assessments, source inspections (on-site or virtual), and First Article Inspections (AS9102).
- Oversee supplier corrective action processes and nonconformance containment efforts.
- Review and validate supplier capabilities, including process flowcharts, PFMEAs, control plans, and manufacturing readiness.
- Support the Material Review Board (MRB) and Configuration Control Board (CCB) processes.
- Collaborate with suppliers on control plans and use of statistical process control (SPC) to reduce variation.
- Participate in internal and external audits (process, product, and quality systems).
- Ensure compliance with aerospace standards and quality systems (AS9100, ISO 9001, Nadcap).
- Develop product quality plans and inspection methodologies to support both new production and legacy programs.
Qualifications
Experience & Skills
- 8+ years of progressive experience in supplier quality, quality engineering, or supply chain improvement within an aerospace or manufacturing environment.
- Expertise in Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and problem-solving methodologies.
- Solid knowledge of GD&T and blueprint interpretation.
- Experience with aerospace manufacturing and quality inspection processes (e.g., machining, heat treating, anodizing, NDT).
- Familiarity with raw materials, flight-critical components, and contract flow-down requirements.
- Strong project management skills with a focus on accountability and cross-functional collaboration.
- Comfortable reviewing failure analyses and performing tolerance stack-ups.
- Hands-on knowledge of industrialization processes such as PPAP, PVI/DVI, and AS9102 FAI.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Project).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with aerospace primes (Boeing, Airbus, etc.).
- Green Belt or Black Belt certification in Six Sigma.
- Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles.
- Familiarity with metrology and automated measuring systems.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field required.
- Master’s degree or ASQ certification preferred.
- Equivalent experience will be considered in lieu of a formal degree.
About CIRCOR Aerospace & Defense
CIRCOR Aerospace & Defense designs, develops, and manufactures specialty fluid and motion control products for critical aerospace and defense applications. Our products are trusted across a wide range of platforms—from commercial and military aircraft (including single- and twin-aisle transports, business and regional jets, fighters, transports, and rotorcraft) to unmanned systems, naval vessels, and ground vehicles.
We operate facilities in Corona, CA; Warren, MA; Hauppauge, NY; Paris, France; Uxbridge, UK; and Tangier, Morocco. CIRCOR Aerospace & Defense is headquartered in Corona, California, and is a business unit of CIRCOR International, based in Burlington, Massachusetts.
EEO Statement
CIRCOR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.