Director of Supplier Industrialization Engineering

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Lead and scale the Supplier Industrialization Engineering team, building a high-performing organization that drives supplier manufacturing readiness from new product introduction (NPI) through sustained production.
• Own the supplier industrialization process end-to-end: supplier capability assessments, Advanced
• Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), process capability validation, and First Article Inspection (FAI) to ensure suppliers are qualified and production-ready.
• Develop and execute multi-year supplier development and second-source qualification strategies for critical components, ensuring continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, and resilience across the industrial base.
• Lead supplier engagement for manufacturing process optimization, yield improvement, cost reduction, and capacity planning to support radical production rate increases.
• Establish and maintain supplier quality standards and compliance with aerospace and defense requirements (e.g., AS9100, AS9102, AS9145, NADCAP, ITAR/DFARS) across the supply base.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Program Management, Quality,
• Manufacturing, and Finance to align supplier industrialization activities with program milestones and business objectives.

Job requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, aerospace), supply chain management, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in supplier development, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or supplier industrialization in a complex manufacturing environment involving mechanical and/or electrical assemblies.
• Demonstrated experience with APQP/PPAP processes, supplier capability assessments, and production readiness reviews.
• Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, casting, forging, composites, electronics assembly, surface treatments) and quality systems.
• Proven ability to build and scale teams and processes from early stages to a mature operating organization.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and communicate effectively to executive leadership and external partners.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to supplier sites domestically and internationally.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.