The Supplier Quality Development Engineer is responsible for the supplier quality development activities in USA and Mexico. This role involves performing manufacturing partner (MP) audits, supporting MPs in problem-solving activities, training MPs on quality tools, driving continuous improvement projects with MPs, reviewing/approving PPAP documents, and supporting MPs on complex projects. The SQDE ensures that the quality requirements of Protolabs Network (PLN) are understood throughout the supply chain and supports compliance-related activities. Additionally, they provide support to MPs and the sales team in fulfilling quality documentation requirements for orders and improving the efficiency of the order intake process related to quality review and requirements.
This role involves working closely with the Supply Chain Teams to source, select, and qualify new suppliers, as well as supporting their onboarding process in accordance with PLN standards. The SQDE will monitor and proactively drive supplier performance and maturation, focusing on quality targets and problem-solving. Additionally, they will identify and deploy the best manufacturing practices to ensure manufacturing consistency across the network.
What you will do
- Support internal and external certification audits, as well as support MP audits, to assess compliance and identify areas for improvement.
- Follow up on audit findings and actions, ensuring they are adequately addressed and closed within the specified timelines.
- Assist MPs and the sales team with orders that require quality documentation, ensuring that requirements are understood and fulfilled by the MPs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve the current systems and processes, making the order intake process more efficient in relation to quality review and requirements.
- Support customer quality & compliance surveys, corrective action requests etc.
- Collaborate with the Supply Chain Teams to source, select, and qualify new suppliers, ensuring adherence to PLN standards and requirements.
- Monitor and proactively drive supplier performance and maturation, focusing on capabilities, quality targets and problem-solving.
- Develop suppliers by identifying and implementing manufacturing best practices to ensure consistency across the network.
- Support the development of new capabilities, such as technologies, materials, inspection methodology, and post-processing options.
- Design processes to effectively manage supplier relationships and performance in a scalable manner.
- Monitor underperforming MPs closely and set clear improvement targets.
- Make data driven recommendations for off-boarding MPs that fail to correct issues.
- Benchmark and leverage best practices across the MP network.
- Utilize an analytical mindset and data-driven approach to supplier management.
- Travel of up to 30% to 50% is required for this role.
What it takes
- Ability to travel 30-50% in the US and Mexico
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical), physical Science, or related field, from an accredited college or university
- Understanding of Quality systems and practices in a manufacturing environment.
- 2+ years of experience in a similar role.
- An analytical and risk-based mindset and data driven approach to quality management.
- Experience in a regulated environment.
- Ideally lead auditors for ISO 9001, AS9100 or ISO 13485.
- Experience with CNC machining.
- Experience with Injection Molding.
- Nice to have: 3DP, and/or Sheet metal experience is a big plus.
- Experience reviewing PPAP documents
What is in it for you
- We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
- Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
- Dental and Vision
- Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Paid caregiver leave
- You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO, Holiday Pay, and Volunteer Hours
- 401k with company match and immediate vest
- Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
- Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
- And More!
Skills Required
- Ability to travel 30% to 50% in the United States and Mexico
- Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical Engineering, physical science, or a related field
- Understanding of quality systems and practices in a manufacturing environment
- At least 2 years of experience in a similar role
- Analytical, risk-based, and data-driven approach to quality management
- Experience in a regulated environment
- Lead auditor experience for ISO 9001, AS9100, or ISO 13485
- Experience with CNC machining
- Experience with injection molding
- Experience with 3D printing or sheet metal
- Experience reviewing PPAP documents
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or qualifying refugee or asylee due to ITAR requirements
- Ability to lift or move up to 50+ pounds and work in a manufacturing environment
Protolabs Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Protolabs and has not been reviewed or approved by Protolabs.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision options are broadly available and described as good to excellent. Additional protections like short- and long-term disability and life insurance bolster the overall package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — A starting PTO allotment plus paid holidays, along with added wellness and volunteer time, is emphasized, with some roles noting PTO growth over tenure. Paid caregiver leave appears in postings and supports flexibility for life events.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting is offered, supporting long-term savings. This foundation is frequently cited alongside core financial benefits as a strong element of total rewards.
Protolabs Insights
What We Do
Protolabs is the world's fastest digital manufacturing source for rapid prototyping and on-demand production. The technology-enabled company produces custom parts and assemblies in as fast as 1 day with automated 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and injection molding processes. Our digital approach to manufacturing enables accelerated time to market, reduces development and production costs, and minimizes risk throughout the product life cycle. 3D Printing Our 3D printing service offers a wide selection of materials and technologies to create prototypes and end-use parts with complex geometries and detailed features. With tight process controls, careful design reviews, and extensive quality monitoring, we ensure precise and repeatable 3D-printed parts, every time. CNC Machining We use 3- and 5-axis milling along with turning to machine parts from commercial-grade plastics and metals. Our online quoting system and automated manufacturing process enable us to ship parts within 24 hours, helping customers accelerate development and reduce time to market. Sheet Metal Fabrication Protolabs is an industry leader in quick-turn sheet metal parts for both prototyping and low-volume production. Our digital approach to manufacturing enables us to fabricate sheet metal parts in as fast as 5 days. Additionally, we can support our customers’ development efforts with component assemblies, several finish options, and screen printing. Injection Molding Our injection molding service offers two options—prototyping and on-demand manufacturing—which provide customers a tooling solution that aligns with their project’s requirements. It’s used for quick-turn prototyping, bridge tooling, and low-volume production of up to 10,000+ parts in 15 days or less.
