Senior Supplier Engineer

Job description

Primary Function of Position The ideal candidate possesses in-depth experience, both conceptual and hands-on, in the manufacturing, testing, and inspection of machined metal and plastic components, metal castings, sheet metal components, and wire rope assemblies. In addition, this candidate has the skills and experience to assess, select, and develop optimal supplier partners in these commodities while mentoring and developing our team.

In addition, the ideal candidate possesses a solutions-oriented approach to use critical-thinking and their engineering experience to help solve challenges faced by our cross-functional teammates in Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality Engineering. This position has both Sustaining and NPI responsibilities listed below.

Sustaining Responsibilities

Translate complex technical problems into solutions. Work diligently and relentlessly with suppliers to build and own a vision to improve delivery, quality, cost, and capacity by identifying risks and appropriate mitigations. Plan and execute supplier change projects affecting a combination of supply continuity, quality, cost, capacity, and supply chain risk management that include manufacturing and inspection process changes, capacity optimization, facility changes, and new equipment qualifications.

Drive suppliers to continually improve their business and manufacturing processes with an eye on supplier scorecard performance, and to meet Intuitive’s requirements by using a collection of best practices in project management, SPC, and negotiation by leading these independently. Investigate, analyze, close, and prevent recurrence of non-conformances for purchased components from suppliers. Monitor supplier performance and initiate improvement activities, including the ownership of CAPAs for supplier non-conformances from symptom through root cause analysis, to corrective action, and preventive action.

Drive changes to Intuitive requirements with occasional engineering calculations, SolidWorks assembly review, and executing changes to specifications and drawings through the change order process.

Complete project and part qualification deliverables including

Process FMEA, Process Capability Analysis, FAIR, Process Validations, and Gage R&R.

NPI Responsibilities

Understand the state-of-art in your components’ manufacturing technologies and processes. Lead DFM activities by engaging the cross-functional engineering team and suppliers early in the development cycle to obtain valuable feedback on manufacturability, opportunities for improved assembly at Intuitive, and design improvements prior to production. Select the correct manufacturing process and supplier for the part, considering metrics such as long-term fit with Intuitive, commodity specialization, capacity, and total cost of ownership.

Develop supplier production readiness based on forecast, supplier capacity, quality performance, and process capability.

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills, Experience Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering field. 8+ years of relevant experience in Manufacturing, Supplier Process, or Design Engineering. Strong and persistent curiosity for solving technical problems in component manufacturing, testing, and inspection. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience communicating with upper-level management. Excellent ability to handle challenging technical and interpersonal situations to ensure solid relationships with our internal customers and supply chain.

In-depth knowledge of Part Qualification, Process FMEAs and Process Validations. Highly experienced in reading and interpreting detailed mechanical drawings containing GD&T to be able to communicate technical information regarding manufacturing and inspection. Significant computer experience using Microsoft Office suite, Product Lifecycle Management software (e.g. Agile), and ERP software (e.g. SAP). Experience with statistical analysis software such as Minitab.

Knowledge of 21 CFR part 820 and ISO 13485 or experience at a medical device company. Experience with low-volume, high-mix production environments, such as capital equipment. Working Conditions Ability to travel to suppliers on an as-needed basis, both domestically and internationally.