Sr Supplier Quality Engineer

Location: Everett, WA (Onsite)

As a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE), you will provide quality engineering and continuous improvement leadership across Fluke’s suppliers, engineering, and quality organizations. 

You will lead supplier problem‑solving, implement corrective actions, perform process and quality system audits, qualify new components and processes, and drive strategic improvements across our supplier base.

This role supports the complete product lifecycle—concept and design, New Product Introduction (NPI), and sustaining—by embedding robust supplier quality practices, improving manufacturing capability, and driving continuous global supplier improvement.

The ideal candidate brings hands‑on experience in electronics manufacturing, supplier development, APQP/PPAP, structured problem solving, six sigma and a 3rd party ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor credentials.

Key Responsibilities:

Supplier Development:

• Lead supplier qualification and ongoing performance management for PCB and PCBA suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier electronic assembly processes (SMT, wave soldering, conformal coating, cleanliness, ICT/functional test).
• Ensure compliance with IPC‑A‑610 and related standards (J‑STD‑001, IPC‑A‑600).
• Drive supplier quality controls, readiness, and overall performance improvement, including NPI readiness.
• Drive improvements in supplier process capability, scrap reduction, consistency, and defect prevention.
• Lead APQP/PPAP flow‑down requirements with Engineering and Supply Chain.
• Develop and maintain IQC plans, sampling strategies, and test/inspection requirements.
• Support and approve First Article qualifications.
• Lead DFMEA and PFMEA activities related to supplier processes.
• Support stop-ships, containment, investigations, and other quality-related activities as needed.
• Conduct supplier process, system, and product audits; drive timely closure of nonconformities.
• Ensure quality procedures, work instructions, and records meet QMS requirements.
• Ensure proper documentation, traceability, change control, and configuration management at suppliers.
• Communicate supplier risks, quality status, and improvement progress to leadership with clarity and urgency.

New Product Introduction (NPI):

• Lead supplier‑related APQP/PPAP activities, including DFM/A reviews, PFMEA, control plans, MSA/GR&R, First Article Inspection (FAI), and process validations.
• Partner with Design and Manufacturing Engineering, and Operations to ensure manufacturability and quality robustness of electronic designs.
• Provide supplier manufacturing and process capability input during Engineering Design Reviews.
• Define acceptance criteria, MSA/GR&R, and Critical-to-Quality (CtQ) characteristics for supplier.
• Verify supplier process readiness for launch, including line qualification, tooling, and assembly readiness.
• Ensure suppliers meet launch quality targets (DPPM, RTY, escape rates).

Sustaining & Continuous Improvement:

• Monitor supplier quality performance, including defect trends, process variation, CoQ metrics, and incoming quality.
• Lead structured problem‑solving (8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa) for supplier‑related issues, customer returns, and internal escapes.
• Monitor and improve supplier performance (CoPQ, scrap, rework, yield).
• Optimize supplier test strategies (ICT, functional test, AOI, FP) to minimize escapes.
• Drive permanent corrective actions and verify effectiveness through data and process validation.
• Support containment, rework coordination, concessions, and stop‑ship decisions when needed.
• Promote a culture of quality, data integrity, and continuous improvement using FBS tools.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Manufacturing, or related Engineering discipline.
• 8-10+ years of Supplier Quality Engineering experience, preferably in electronics/PCBA manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of PCB manufacturing and PCBA assembly flow.
• IPC‑A‑610 training or certification.
• Demonstrated expertise in APQP/PPAP, PFMEA, DFMEA, control plans, MSA/GR&R.
• ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor certification.
• Proficiency with structured problem‑solving tools (8D, 5‑Whys, Ishikawa).
• Experience with Lean, Kaizen, or Six Sigma (Green Belt+ preferred).
• Willingness to travel up to 30% to suppliers or manufacturing sites.

Desired Skills

• Familiarity with J‑STD‑001, IPC‑A‑600, and electronics reliability concepts (Weibull, FRACAS).
• Knowledge of ISO 13485, IATF 16949 quality systems.
• Strong electronics understanding (schematics, LCD technologies, component knowledge).
• Working knowledge of Oracle PLM, ERP, and MES systems.
• Strong statistical analysis and data‑driven decision‑making capability.
• Ability to influence cross‑functionally and drive action without authority.
• High sense of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement mindset.

Fortive Corporation Overview

Fortive’s essential technology makes the world stronger, safer, and smarter. We accelerate transformation across a broad range of applications including environmental, health and safety compliance, industrial condition monitoring, next-generation product design, and healthcare safety solutions.

We are a global industrial technology innovator with a startup spirit. Our forward-looking companies lead the way in software-powered workflow solutions, data-driven intelligence, AI-powered automation, and other disruptive technologies. We’re a force for progress, working alongside our customers and partners to solve challenges on a global scale, from workplace safety in the most demanding conditions to groundbreaking sustainability solutions.

We are a diverse team 18,000 strong, united by a dynamic, inclusive culture and energized by limitless learning and growth. We use the proven Fortive Business System (FBS) to accelerate our positive impact. 

At Fortive, we believe in you. We believe in your potential—your ability to learn, grow, and make a difference. 

At Fortive, we believe in us. We believe in the power of people working together to solve problems no one could solve alone. 

At Fortive, we believe in growth. We’re honest about what’s working and what isn’t, and we never stop improving and innovating.

Fortive: For you, for us, for growth.