Head of Supplier Quality Engineering and Development

In this role you will be responsible for providing leadership across Zipline and to ensure world class quality of the electrical, mechanical and other components feeding into Zipline’s hardware and associated infrastructure. You will be responsible for leading a team of Supplier Industrial Engineers and Quality Engineers to develop and execute strategies to establish and maintain a robust, end-to-end quality system, encompassing both advanced and current / sustaining supplier performance, as well as drive continuous improvements in the quality of products within Zipline’s supply base and manufacturing environment.

What You'll Do  

Supplier Development:

• Develop, manage, audit and correct planning and execution of component manufacturing and (sub)assembly techniques and quality control processes at current and potential suppliers, both domestically and internationally to ensure they meet increasing quality, delivery, cost, and reliability requirements.
• Lead, track and improve Supplier manufacturing process development and launch readiness for design changes, new products and outsourcing initiatives.
• Guide Suppliers in developing exceptionally robust processes and procedures to promote seamless and efficient production of high quality electrical and mechanical components.
• Facilitate communication and clarification of technical requirements between Suppliers and Zipline’s Design, Internal Quality and Procurement teams. Collaborate with Zipline Design, Internal Quality and Manufacturing/NPI to determine ideal performance specifications and Supplier metrics.
• Partner with Zipline's Design, Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams to determine requirements for outsourcing initiatives in electrical and mechanical assemblies and components.
• Select, coach, and support potential and current suppliers into independent workforces that strive for continuous improvement towards zero defects.

Process Optimization:

• Participate in Supplier Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews, guide suppliers in efficient use of poke-yokes, best methods of gauging, and correct tools or assembly equipment to use.  Provide feedback to Zipline Design teams to ensure alignment and incorporation of feedback during validation build phases.
• Drive advanced quality planning and RCCAPA with our suppliers so that the quality of our parts is excellent at the source and thus require no receiving inspection at Zipline.
• Lead and implement Supplier improvements in scalability, cost, and quality.

Quality Improvement:

• Lead the Internal Quality Team to strengthen the vendor/process certification methodology that ensures quality is built into our electrical parts, assemblies and processes.
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• Drive improvements utilizing Lean methodologies, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and supplier scorecards.
• Ensure supplier compliance, while driving systematic problem solving and process-improvement plans.
• Develop strong and positive relationships internally and externally to implement and track supplier/engineering design changes, capacity studies and New Product Introductions.
• Ensure Zipline’s internal manufacturing process incorporates industry standard best practices to ensure the highest level of quality and reliability with all Zipline hardware and associated infrastructure. 

What You'll Bring 

• You have worked for 10 years in a fast paced and high growth environment as a Supplier Quality Engineer, Supplier Development Engineer, Supplier Industrialization Engineer, or similar role
• You have successfully launched, into volume production, complex electrical & mechanical components and assemblies using quality planning from prototype through mass production stages.
• You have worked with an established Quality System and applied it to improve your supply base (applicable standards are AS9100/ISO9001/IATF16949).
• You have achieved measurable results with implementing Product Quality Planning with part suppliers and contract manufacturers, both domestic and overseas (applicable examples are Advanced Product Quality Planning, Production Part Approval Process, Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, SPC).
• You have visited vendors in different geographies and you know what excellence looks like across a variety of manufacturing processes so that you can effectively assess the best fit for Zipine’s needs (as a minimum: electromechanical assembly, PCBA manufacturing, injection and blow molding, coating. Multi sensor integration including optical, acoustic and RF is a big plus!).
• You have actively participated in a product design effort and thus know what it takes to transition from prototype to volume production (if you used any CAD system like Altium, OrCAD, Solidworks PCB that is a big plus!).
• You understand the value of methods such as 8D, 5-WHY, Pareto Charts and Fishbone Diagrams because you have achieved measurable results by using them and influencing others to do the same.
• You can thrive in structured and unstructured environments and are not dissuaded by the prospect of making hard decisions about what is important and urgent against a backdrop of limited resources.
• You have a good understanding of and have successfully implemented gates within a product development process and achieved the intended results.
• You have strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to drive aggressive timelines with key stakeholders internally and externally.

What Else You Need to Know   

This role will require travel of 25-30% of the time to visit Suppliers, and Zipline will work together with you to make sure that this is possible.