Director, Supplier Quality
Divergent Technologies · Torrance, CA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Quality
- Base pay
- $193k–$236k
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level quality role at Divergent Technologies (automotive) in Torrance, CA.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, FMEA, PPAP, APQP
- Base pay
- $193k–$236k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $101k–$149k. This one lists $193k–$236k.
Median of the low and high ends of 84 live postings that list pay, out of 179 quality engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 178 other live quality postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 72% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $100k–$149k, from 82 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 78%
- ✓ FMEA 56%
- ✓ Supplier quality 49%
- ✓ AS9100 44%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 44%
- ✓ ISO 9001 40%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Divergent Technologies
We found 2 people at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Daniel → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Divergent Technologies in Torrance
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Full description from Divergent TechnologiesAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Supplier Quality Strategy, Governance & Operating Model
- ◆Architect and deploy a scalable supplier quality operating system that supports:
- ◆Low-volume, high-complexity builds
- ◆Scalable, repeatable production
- ◆Additive manufacturing infrastructure
- ◆Define supplier segmentation strategy (strategic, critical, developmental, transactional) with differentiated quality engagement models.
- ◆Establish quality governance forums (e.g., Supplier Quality Council, cross-functional escalation reviews).
- ◆Develop multi-year roadmap for supplier quality maturity aligned with company growth (prototype → industrialization → scale).
- ◆Own end-to-end supplier quality policies, procedures, and standard work.
- ◆Drive digitization of supplier quality processes (QMS tools, real-time dashboards, supplier portals).
- ◆Supplier Selection, Qualification & Industrialization
- ◆Partner with sourcing during RFQ and supplier selection to evaluate:
- ◆Technical capability
- ◆Process maturity
- ◆Capacity and scalability
- ◆Quality system robustness
- ◆Lead supplier risk assessments (technical, operational, geopolitical, financial).
- ◆Define and execute supplier qualification frameworks , including:
- ◆Pre-award audits (process, quality system, manufacturing readiness)
- ◆Capability studies and run-at-rate validations
- ◆Drive industrialization readiness for new suppliers:
- ◆Manufacturing process validation
- ◆Tooling and fixture qualification
- ◆Special process validation (heat treatment, additive, composites, machining, etc.)
- ◆Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) Execution
- ◆Own supplier-side APQP execution across all programs and customers.
- ◆Ensure robust completion and approval of:
- ◆Design reviews and supplier feasibility commitments
- ◆Process Flow Diagrams aligned to actual manufacturing steps
- ◆PFMEA with high-risk failure modes mitigated prior to SOP
- ◆Control Plans tied to critical-to-quality (CTQ) characteristics
- ◆Drive Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions at appropriate levels:
- ◆Validate dimensional results, capability indices (Cp/Cpk), and material certifications
- ◆Ensure alignment with engineering specifications and performance
requirements
- ✓Establish launch readiness criteria and enforce strict entry/exit gates for suppliers.
- ✓Supplier Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
- ✓Define and operationalize supplier scorecards , including:
- ✓PPM (defects)
- ✓On-time delivery (OTD)
- ✓Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)
- ✓Responsiveness and corrective action closure time
- ✓Lead monthly/quarterly business reviews (MBRs/QBRs) with strategic suppliers.
- ✓Drive structured supplier improvement programs , including:
- ✓Lean manufacturing implementation
- ✓Six Sigma projects
- ✓Yield and throughput optimization
- ✓Develop and deploy supplier development roadmaps for underperforming or strategic partners.
- ✓Own escalation process for chronic supplier issues, including executive-level interventions.
- ✓Nonconformance Management, Root Cause & Corrective Actions
- ✓Establish a closed-loop nonconformance management system across incoming, in-process, and field issues.
- ✓Lead critical supplier quality issue resolution using:
- ✓8D methodology
- ✓5 Whys, Ishikawa (Fishbone), fault tree analysis
- ✓Ensure true root cause identification (escape point + occurrence cause), not superficial fixes.
- ✓Validate effectiveness of corrective actions through data and audit.
- ✓Partner with internal teams to manage:
- ✓Supplier containment actions
- ✓Line disruptions and recovery plans
- ✓Field failures and warranty-related supplier issues
- ✓Incoming Quality & Risk-Based Inspection Strategy
- ✓Design and implement risk-based incoming inspection frameworks , including:
- ✓Dock-to-stock programs for high-performing suppliers
- ✓Increased inspection for new or underperforming suppliers
- ✓Define inspection plans based on:
- ✓Criticality of components (safety, structural, performance)
- ✓Supplier capability and historical performance
- ✓Optimize balance between inspection, cost, and risk .
- ✓Implement advanced inspection technologies where applicable (CMM, CT scanning, digital metrology).
- ✓Supplier Audits & Quality Systems Compliance
- ✓Develop and execute a global supplier audit program , including:
- ✓Quality system audits (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100 as applicable)
- ✓Process audits (layered process audits, special process validation)
- ✓Product audits
- ✓Ensure supplier compliance
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Divergent is building the new industrial age. Every day, our teams design, manufacture, and assemble advanced systems for some of the world’s most demanding industries. Our integrated engineering and manufacturing platform transforms complex designs into production-ready solutions, helping customers move faster, build smarter, and deliver critical systems when they matter most. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs and supports leading U.S. aerospace and defense companies.
Join us and help push the boundaries of what can be built.
Purpose
The Director of Supplier Quality leads the development and execution of Divergent ’s global supplier quality strategy. This role is responsible for ensuring that all externally sourced components, materials, and services meet stringent quality, reliability, and performance standards—spanning prototype through full-rate production.
You will build and scale supplier quality systems appropriate for a high-growth, advanced manufacturing environment, while driving accountability, performance, and continuous improvement across a diverse and evolving supply base.
This is a hands-on leadership role that blends strategic quality management, deep technical engagement with suppliers, cross-functional collaboration, and relentless pursuit of operational excellence. The ideal candidate will thrive in a highly dynamic, fast-growth environment, and bring both startup grit and world-class manufacturing discipline.