We are looking to add a Supplier Quality Manager to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing leading-edge electronics for satellites, spacecraft, and aerospace systems, we would like to hear from you.
In this role, you will lead CesiumAstro’s supplier quality engineering function, managing a team of Supplier Quality Engineers responsible for supplier qualification, supplier development, supplier performance evaluation,, and nonconformance resolution across the company’s aerospace and defense supply base. This role establishes and enforces supplier quality requirements, drives root cause and corrective action activity with suppliers, and partners closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Manufacturing to ensure purchased hardware and materials meet AS9100 and contractual quality requirements. The Manager exercises latitude and independent judgment in administering supplier quality programs, policies, and staffing for the department.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage and develop a team of Supplier Quality Engineers, including hiring, workload assignment, performance management, and career development.
- Manage department budget, staffing plans, and resource allocation for the supplier quality function.
- Direct the team's implementation and maintenance of supplier quality processes and documentation in accordance with AS9100 and applicable standards, leveraging business systems functionality to drive process efficiency and effectiveness.
- Ensure the team works cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to drive supplier flow-down and compliance to QMS, customer, industry, and regulatory/statutory requirements.
- Oversee the approved supplier base, including supplier qualification, periodic performance review, supplier relationship management, risk assessment, and removal when necessary.
- Ensure the team provides suppliers the technical guidance, support, and training needed to align with CesiumAstro requirements for execution.
- Partner with Design Engineering to ensure suppliers' design-for-manufacturability (DFM) considerations are incorporated into supplier processes.
- Oversee supplier site audits and source inspection activities as needed.
- Oversee nonconformance investigations and root cause corrective action activities when supplier issues occur, including disposition of nonconformances such as rework, scrap, and RMA.
- Monitor and drive resolution of escalated Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs).
- Establish and analyze supplier performance metrics, including defect rate, nonconformances, on-time delivery, cost of rework/scrap, and SCAR resolution.
- Use supplier performance data to drive strategic partnerships and develop supplier capability with key suppliers.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across the supplier quality function.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field.
- A minimum of 7 years of related experience with 1–3 years of leadership/management experience, including direct supervision of quality or supplier quality engineering staff.
- Strong working knowledge of AS9100/ISO 9001 quality management systems and aerospace supplier quality requirements.
- Proficiency in root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone).
- Experience with supplier qualification, PPAP, and First Article Inspection (AS9102) processes.
- Working knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and quality inspection methods.
- Understanding of ITAR/EAR and DFARS requirements applicable to aerospace and defense suppliers.
- Demonstrated people leadership skills, including coaching, performance management, and team development.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and supplier relationship management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems, such as Acumatica, SAP, or comparable platforms
- Familiarity with Quality Management System (QMS) software
- Experience with statistical analysis tools, such as Minitab
- Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software
- Ability to travel to supplier and manufacturing sites, domestically and occasionally internationally, up to approximately 50% of the time.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Manager (CQM), or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification.
Skills Required
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, refugee, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field.
- Minimum 7 years related experience with 1-3 years of leadership/management experience, including direct supervision of quality or supplier quality engineering staff.
- Strong working knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality management systems and aerospace supplier quality requirements.
- Proficiency in root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone).
- Experience with supplier qualification, PPAP, and First Article Inspection (AS9102) processes.
- Working knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and quality inspection methods.
- Understanding of ITAR/EAR and DFARS requirements applicable to aerospace and defense suppliers.
- Demonstrated people leadership skills including coaching, performance management, and team development.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration and supplier relationship management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as Acumatica, SAP, or comparable platforms.
- Familiarity with Quality Management System (QMS) software.
- Experience with statistical analysis tools such as Minitab.
- Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software.
- Ability to travel to supplier and manufacturing sites, domestically and occasionally internationally, up to approximately 50% of the time.
- Manage department budget, staffing plans, and resource allocation for supplier quality function.
CesiumAstro Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about CesiumAstro and has not been reviewed or approved by CesiumAstro.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, plus FSAs and mental health benefits. Feedback suggests the health package is comprehensive for a growth-stage aerospace firm.
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Retirement Support — Offerings include a 401(k) with company matching and other retirement-plan elements. Feedback suggests core retirement mechanisms are in place alongside standard financial benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO, paid holidays, paid sick days, and bereavement leave are included. Feedback suggests time-off options are broad on paper across multiple leave types.
CesiumAstro Insights
What We Do
We build high-throughput, plug-and-play phased array communication payloads for space and airborne platforms. CesiumAstro’s full-stack, multi-mission hardware and software products enable a diverse range of commercial and defense objectives. Full-system engineering design is at the heart of every CesiumAstro product. We deliver high-performance solutions under rapid development timelines.
Why Work With Us
At CesiumAstro, we’re a team. We’re passionate, respectful, and determined colleagues ready to help at a moment’s notice. We’re mentors excited to enable our peers with the knowledge they need to succeed. Together, we’re visionaries committing to building memories that will last a lifetime.
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