Supplier Quality Engineer

RFA Engineering ( www.rfamec.com ) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking a growth-oriented candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. This position will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing facility.

This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.

Supplier Quality Engineer

We are seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to lead the development and validation of weldment and sheet metal suppliers. This role focuses on assessing manufacturing capabilities, tooling, fixturing, inspection processes, and quality systems to ensure suppliers can consistently produce components that meet engineering and quality requirements. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in welding, fabrication, GD&T, metrology, and supplier quality, with the ability to drive root cause analysis, implement corrective actions, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to improve supplier performance and product quality.

Responsibilities

- Develop and validate supplier capabilities for welded fabrications and sheet metal components.

- Assess supplier manufacturing processes, tooling, fixturing, inspection methods, and quality systems to ensure production readiness.

- Benchmark current production methods and product quality standards against prospective supplier capabilities.

- Evaluate supplier capacity to manufacture components meeting established quality, dimensional, and performance requirements.

- Review supplier process controls and inspection plans to confirm consistent product quality.

- Verify supplier compliance with engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements.

- Lead supplier audits and capability assessments focused on fabrication, welding, machining, and inspection processes.

- Investigate manufacturing and quality issues at supplier locations and drive root cause analysis activities.

- Validate corrective actions and preventive measures implemented by suppliers.

- Document supplier assessments, technical findings, capability studies, and improvement recommendations.

- Collaborate with design, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality teams to support supplier development initiatives.

- Support continuous improvement efforts related to supplier quality, process capability, and product performance.

Requirements

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or equivalent experience.

- 3+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, or fabrication-focused manufacturing environments.

- Strong understanding of welding processes, fabrication methods, and sheet metal manufacturing best practices.

- Ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings and GD&T requirements.

- Experience evaluating manufacturing process controls and quality assurance systems.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience performing root cause analysis and corrective action validation.

- Ability to effectively communicate technical requirements to suppliers and internal stakeholders.

- Willingness and ability to travel to supplier locations as required.

Desired Attributes

- Experience developing or auditing weldment suppliers.

- Knowledge of common welding processes including MIG, TIG, robotic welding, and structural fabrication practices.

- Understanding of fixture design, tooling validation, and process capability studies.

- Experience with APQP, PPAP, Control Plans, PFMEA, and supplier quality processes.

- Working knowledge of measurement systems and inspection methodologies.

- Experience reviewing and interpreting CMM reports and dimensional analysis data.

- Familiarity with metrology equipment including CMMs, laser trackers, portable arms, and conventional inspection tools.

- Experience supporting supplier development, sourcing transitions, or quality improvement initiatives.

- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple supplier projects simultaneously.

- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position

Pay Range: $70,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience

About RFA Engineering

RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.

Competitive Benefits

- Health and Dental Insurance

- TelaDoc Healthiest You

- Supplemental Vision Insurance

- Company Paid Life Insurance

- Company Paid Long-Term Disability

- Short-term Disability

- Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)

- Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care

- HSA for Medical Expenses

- Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)

- Paid Time Off (PTO)

- Paid Holidays

- Bereavement Leave

- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

- Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly