Supplier Quality Engineer
Published 03.03.2026
Company: Safran Electronics & Defense Job field: Quality Location: Irvine, California, United States
Contract type: Permanent Contract duration: Full-time Required degree: Bachelors Degree Required experience: More than 3 years Professional status: Professional, Engineer & Manager Salary range: $111K-$135K
ITAR: ITAR Controlled position
# 2026-173530
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Published 03.03.2026
Job Description
Job Summary: The Supplier Quality Engineer is a key technical leader responsible for working with suppliers, design engineering, operations, and supply chain to select qualified suppliers and enhance supplier performance, ensuring a positive impact on the quality of both new and existing products.
Essential Job Functions: • Collaborate with business units, cross-functional teams, and suppliers to manage, monitor and improve supplier performance. • Manage the processing of system, process and product nonconformances linked to suppliers until they are resolved in order to prevent customer impacts and avoid any production line stop. • Identify & escalate any risks or concerns in relation to product or peoples safety both internally and within the supply chain, using the company tools & processes. • Issue Failure Analysis and Root Cause/Corrective Action reports to suppliers; follow up, review, and approve supplier inquiries and requests promptly, based on the severity of impact on customer or Safran manufacturing operations. • Promote & identify areas for improvement among suppliers and ensure their implementation. • Subject Matter Expert in supplier product knowledge and able to influence supplier performance in a positive way. • Effectively assist suppliers in complex root cause and corrective action responses in high intense high visibility cases that may have a negative impact on customer products Safran provides. Corrective actions are usually irreversible and result in zero repeat occurrences. • Identify and carry out the necessary training among suppliers. • Other duties may be assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: • FAA Repair Station knowledge is a plus. • Prior Supplier Quality and/or Supplier Development experience throughout the lifecycle of products. • ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) a plus. • Possess experience in manufacturing or industrialization, knowledge of APQP (AS9145) a plus. • Proficient in spreadsheet (report formatting, graphing, formula calculation generation), database, presentation and project management tools (i.e. Excel, Minitab, etc.). • Ability to read and understand assembly drawings including GD&T, schematics, block diagrams and Engineering Change Notices for the purpose of specific inspection criteria and evaluation. • Demonstrated auditing experience to AS9100, AS9110 AS9120 and Mil-Stds. • Maintain general familiarity with aerospace manufacturing equipment preferred. • Understanding of receiving inspection processes, including statistical sampling, component measurement techniques, specifications, drawings, and AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports. • Demonstrate excellent problem-solving, judgment, and decision-making skills, with comprehensive knowledge of Quality systems methods and practices (DOE, PFMEA, Control Plans, Lean Manufacturing concepts, DMAIC, Root Cause Analysis, etc.).
Job Requirements
Required Competencies:
Education: • Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution in the field of Engineering such as Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, or equivalent discipline.
Experience: • 10 or more years related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience. • Experience within supplier quality discipline; Six Sigma and Lean methodology; a current certification from the American Society of Quality (ASQ) would be ideal. • SAP experience preferred but not required. • Must have a valid drivers license, a clean driving record, knowledge of traffic laws, and ability to navigate different routes. • Experience with problem solving methodology such as A3 and 8D. • Experience leading complex projects with remote team members. • Knowledge of manufacturing structures, varied processes, operating practices, and operating budgets. • Experience managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Leadership Skills / Management Skills / Personal Skills: • Change agent • Communication skills and active listening, ability to interact effectively with all levels of management, executive leadership of small to mid-size companies and the ability to build and maintain relationships with Safran suppliers and customers. • Ability to manage and solve conflicts • Ability to analyze and synthesize • Customer Oriented • Integrity • Quality Control Analysis • Time Management • Critical Thinking
But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)
Travel Specificity: Potential domestic and international travel between Irvine, California and other locations up to 50%. Passport required. Must be willing to travel to all continents sometimes at short notice.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position and occasionally move about the office and laboratory. Constantly operates and use a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copier/printer. The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information. The ability to observe, identify and assess details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds across office for various needs.
Work Environment: The work environment is in the office. Noise level in the office is typically quiet.
Company Information
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazines "Worlds best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.
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1833 Alton Parkway CA 92606 Irvine California United States
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100,000 employees worldwide 27 Number of countries where Safran is located 35 Business area families