Supplier Quality Engineer

TL;DR

Supplier Quality Engineer (Defense Manufacturing): Qualifying, developing, and sustaining suppliers for mechanical and electrical components and assemblies with an accent on technical capability assessments, QMS compliance, and production scalability. Focus on conducting audits, implementing structured qualification processes (APQP, PPAP, FAI), and driving corrective actions for reliability and performance.

Location: Onsite in Hawthorne, California, United States. Ability to travel up to 75%.

Salary: $140,000 - 200,000

Company

hirify.global redefines modern defense with Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™) for warfighters, air operators, and border protection. Founded in 2022, raised $1B funding, headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Washington D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, and London.

What you will do

• Evaluate supplier capabilities for mechanical (machining, fabrication, casting, additive) and electrical (cables, harnesses, PCBAs) components through audits and assessments.
• Partner with Engineering on design reviews, providing DFM feedback and defining inspection requirements.
• Audit supplier QMS (ISO 9001, AS9100), ensuring control plans, traceability, and compliance with ITAR where applicable.
• Drive production readiness, process capability validation, and risk mitigation for prototype to high-rate production.
• Lead SCAR, root cause analysis (8D, 5-Why), and continuous improvement in yield, defects, and delivery.
• Manage supplier performance scorecards and support sourcing decisions cross-functionally.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing Engineering or related.
• 5–10+ years in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, or Quality Engineering in regulated environments.
• Experience qualifying suppliers for precision mechanical and electrical assemblies.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/AS9100, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, AS9102 FAI, GD&T.
• Supplier audits, source inspections, manufacturing processes (CNC, special processes, wire harnesses).
• Ability to travel up to 75%.

Nice to have

• AS9100 Lead Auditor certification.
• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.
• Scaling suppliers from prototype to high-rate production.
• Government/defense programs experience.
• ERP/MRP, PLM tools, IPC-A-620/610 familiarity.

Culture & Benefits

• Health benefits: Medical, dental, vision 100% company-paid; 401k with 50% match up to 6%, FSA, HSA, life insurance.
• Perks: Free daily lunch, no-meeting Fridays, unlimited PTO, casual dress.
• Compensation: Competitive base, pre-IPO stock options, relocation assistance, annual bonuses coming soon.
• Team: 200 employees across 5 global offices, growing rapidly.