This job is posted on behalf of KB Search Team, LLC by Top Echelon.
Supplier Development Engineer
Fort Wayne, Indiana | Onsite
KB Search Team is partnering with a well-established aerospace and defense manufacturer in Fort Wayne to find a Supplier Development Engineer. Our client builds components for military aircraft programs and is in a strong growth phase, with new business and projects on the way. This role is key to building the supplier base that will support that growth.
This is a hands-on, relationship-driven role for someone who enjoys getting out to supplier sites, developing new suppliers, and making the whole supply chain stronger. It’s a small, close-knit team where everyone works together, and people who show initiative have a real path to grow.
What You’ll Do
- Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers through audits, capability assessments, and risk analysis
- Build strong working relationships with current and potential suppliers across the U.S.
- Travel to supplier sites (10-20%, typically a few days at a time) to drive process improvements and alignment
- Monitor supplier performance on quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness, and lead improvement initiatives
- Partner with suppliers on manufacturing processes and technical compliance to drawings and specifications
- Support new product introduction by bringing suppliers in early for manufacturability and cost optimization
- Ensure suppliers meet AS9100/ISO 9001, ITAR, and customer-specific quality requirements
- Review and approve PPAPs, FAI reports, process validations, and corrective actions
- Participate in MRB and root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities
- Champion lean principles internally and across the supply base
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering, or a related field
- 5+ years of experience in supplier development, quality engineering, or manufacturing engineering within aerospace and defense
- Proven, hands-on experience developing suppliers, not only managing supplier quality from a desk
- Experience with electromechanical assemblies, precision machining, or electronics manufacturing preferred
- Strong understanding of GDT, engineering drawings, and manufacturing processes
- Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and industry standards such as MIL and IPC
- Hands-on experience with PPAP, FAI, PFMEA, SPC, and root cause analysis tools
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and supplier performance tracking tools
- Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills
- A team player who takes initiative, drives continuous improvement, and wants to grow with a company long term
Why You’ll Love It
- Meaningful work supporting military defense aircraft
- A stable company with decades of history, very low turnover, and a family-like culture
- A strong record of promoting from within
- High employee satisfaction and healthy work-life balance
- Quarterly profit sharing and an annual incentive plan
- 401(k) with company match
- 14 paid holidays, plus vacation and sick time
- Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability, along with medical, dental, and vision coverage
Interested? Apply today, or reach out to Rhonda Dove at KB Search Team for a confidential conversation.
Looking for local commutable candidates