Supplier Development Engineer, PCBA (Starlink)

• ◆Own continuity of supply and improve quality, cost, delivery, and capacity metrics for photonic piece-part components and optical subassemblies used in Starlink Satellites
• ◆Collaborate with design, R&D, commercial supply chain, hardware reliability, materials, and manufacturing engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of piece part, assembly, metrology, and/or sub-system design intent
• ◆Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems
• ◆Identify, audit, and onboard new suppliers
• ◆Create, define, and implement supplier technical and quality

based on program

and expectations for NPI and production phases

• ✓Lead resolution of supplier quality issues through root cause analysis, while functioning as liaison between purchasing, engineering, production, and suppliers
• ✓Define product technical requirements, and ensure supplier compliance with these

• ✓Implement and monitor the production part approval process (PPAP) with selected suppliers to enable rate production
• ✓Ensure qualification and reliability activities at suppliers are in line with

• ✓Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps and root causes to drive supplier improvement plans
• ✓Provide feedback to suppliers as appropriate on manufacturing methods, with a specific focus on eliminating costs, reducing cycle times, and increasing yields
• ✓Conduct independent research to identify potential new suppliers and capabilities in manufacturing and metrology
• ✓Identify and drive product & process improvements to lower part cost, reduce supply risk, eliminate potential defects, and improve cycle time
• ✓Effectively manage mission-critical supply chain by establishing excellent working relationships and regular lines of communication with suppliers
• ✓Demonstrate a strong sense of extreme ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, and self-direction
• ✓Function as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve supplier quality issues and to provide technical support
• ✓Collaborate with teams, lead projects, and continuously drive improvement in the supply base
• ✓Act as internal owner of supplier’s statistical process control (SPC), yield improvement activities, new tool/process qualification, and performance in terms of quality, efficiency, and cost

• ✓Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• ✓E xperience with photonics or electronics manufacturing, including photonic piece-part components (pumps, fiber, lenses, combiners, isolators, and/or filters); OR wire bonding, active alignment, fiber splicing, OR PCBA manufacturing.
• ✓3+ years of experience in one of the following: supply chain engineering, supplier development/quality, manufacturing, design engineering

• ✓Master’s degree in an engineering discipline, business, or supply chain
• ✓6+ years of experience in one of the following: supply chain engineering, supplier development/quality, manufacturing, design engineering
• ✓Proven track record of taking ownership of projects, negotiating successfully to reduce costs, and influencing engineering customers to drive results
• ✓Working knowledge of supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAIR, RCCA failure analysis, DOEs, six sigma, lean methods, 8D etc.) and quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP)
• ✓Knowledge of lean, production, and supply chain concepts
• ✓Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, time management, and organizational skills
• ✓Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to suppliers, team members and management
• ✓Ability to act quickly in a fast-moving and high-stress environment

• ✓Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical deadlines
• ✓Ability to travel: Up to 60% work week travel may be required
• ✓Valid driver’s license