Supply Chain Engineer - Mechanical

About This Role

As a Supply Chain Engineer - Mechanical focused, you'll be instrumental in ensuring the seamless integration of engineering and manufacturing capabilities with our supplier network. You'll collaborate closely with supply chain, engineering, and production teams to ensure that our suppliers can meet our rigorous standards and deliver components that align with our design specifications. This role will involve both hands-on evaluation of supplier processes and strategic initiatives to enhance supplier performance. You'll be responsible for assessing manufacturing capabilities, interpreting engineering drawings, and driving improvements that support our mission as we continue to innovate and expand. 

This is a full-time onsite role based in our El Segundo headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Own supplier quality – create framework for Varda’s supplier quality programs
• Collaborate with engineering teams on new product introduction and R&D projects, providing Designed for Manufacturability (DFM) input and supplier selection throughout the development lifecycle
• Work closely with the supply chain team to evaluate potential suppliers, conduct supplier audits, and assess their capabilities, and quality control processes
• Define and implement robust quality requirements for suppliers, including specifications, inspection and acceptance criteria, in collaboration with engineering and operations teams
• Build relationships with suppliers to drive continuous improvement of quality control processes
• Investigate and resolve supplier quality issues through root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and qualification activities to ensure supplier quality considerations are addressed during the product development lifecycle
• Stay updated with industry trends, standards, and regulations related to supplier quality and manufacturing in the aerospace sector  

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related degree (mechanical, aerospace, electrical, etc.)
• 3-6+ years of experience in supplier quality engineering, preferably in the aerospace, automotive, or high-performance engineering industries
• Demonstrated fluency with machined parts, sheet metal, mechanisms, and structural hardware supplier experience (structures and payload mechanisms)
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a keen attention to detail
• Knowledge of quality tools such as FMEA, DMAIC, 8D, etc.
• Understanding of engineering models and drawings
• Ability to travel 25-50% of the time  

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert level knowledge in one or more commodities within the team's scope (*mechanical machining, propulsion systems, PCB/PCBA manufacturing, etc)
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and enthusiasm for Varda’s spirit of innovation and drive for improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
• Proven ability to evaluate supplier capabilities, conduct audits, and drive continuous improvement of supplier quality control processes
• Proficiency in quality management systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001, and familiarity with other relevant quality standards and regulations
• Familiarity with space system components and materials, including *mechanical, electrical, and electronic components, and their associated quality requirements
• Thorough understanding of GD&T (ANSI Y14.5-2009 or 2018)

Pay Range

• Base Salary Range: 
  • Eng II: $119,000-139,000 
  • Senior: $140,000-179,000
  • Principal: $180,000-232,000 
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards 
• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA