Job Title:

Supplier Quality Engineer

Position Summary

Supports vendor quality activities by assisting with the evaluation of supplier operations, products, and services for compliance with company and applicable regulatory quality standards. Performs inspections, audits, and testing of products, materials, and processes under established procedures to assess compliance and effectiveness. Assists in tracking quality metrics and KPIs and supports improvement initiatives. Works collaboratively with internal teams and suppliers to address quality concerns, mitigate risk, and resolve issues. Assists with documentation, reporting, and administrative activities related to supplier quality performance.

Essential Job Functions

Assist in maintaining nonconforming material matrix data for quality reporting purposes, utilizing statistical process control tools as directed.

Support the supplier control system, including participation in Material Review Boards (MRBs) and Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) under guidance.

Maintain corrective action records for supplier returns and warranty claims.

Assist with trending supplier-related rejections and support internal corrective action efforts.

Support procedure audits associated with the Piper Quality Management System.

Assist in analyzing production and service limitations and provide input on potential improvements to specifications, policies, and procedures.

Participate in internal audits in accordance with the Quality Assurance Manual.

Interface with Engineering, Manufacturing, and suppliers to support resolution of vendor-related quality issues.

Assist with basic root cause investigations and corrective action follow-up.

Review Piper Process Specifications (PPS), engineering drawings, and acceptance criteria to support verification of supplier product quality.

Apply basic statistical quality tools and methods to support quality measurement and process improvement activities.

Assist with evaluating quality activities across functional areas to support process capability and workflow continuity.

Support departmental initiatives and quality improvement projects as assigned.

Assist in maintaining accuracy of approved supplier data, including supplier surveys, risk mitigation approvals, and supplier change notices.

Perform other related duties as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. May be required to train and assist other employees, effectively partnering and collaborating on department and cross-functional organizational initiatives.

Minimum Position Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience

Quality inspection experience required including comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing process and quality system, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.

Bachelors’ Degree preferred, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience

Minimum of two years within a quality-related role within a manufacturing organization; aircraft or aerospace experience preferred.

ISO9001/AS9100 experience preferred. Familiarity with APQP and failure mode analysis.

Physical Demands

Demonstrates physical and functional ability to perform and accomplish tasks. Regularly required to walk throughout Piper’s campus and stoop, kneel, bend, crouch in and around aircraft while performing investigations. Uses hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Requires moderate physical effort consisting of occasionally lifting and/or moving light to moderately heavy weight material up to 35 lbs.

Mental Demands

Working knowledge of computer management tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access is necessary to perform the duties in this position.

Ability to read and understand technical data including engineering design and process specifications.

General knowledge of all phases of aircraft design, approval, manufacturing, and service, all manufacturing processes and techniques relative to fabrication and assembly.

Ability to foster collaborative relationships, to work well under pressure, to organize and synthesize new information, and prioritize tasks. Possesses critical thinking, analytical skills and flexibility. Ability to multi-task. Required detailed attention to work in an environment where interruptions need to be controlled. Demonstrates sensitivity to customer needs and expectations.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to both office and plant environments. May be exposed to odors, chemical agents, dust, fumes, gasses, sharp objects, hazardous or moving equipment, wet slippery floors, and extremes in temperature and humidity.

Interacts regularly with various staff and employees, vendors, suppliers, and occasionally with community members and regulatory agency representatives.

Travel and overtime may be required.

Operational Excellence

Supports all operational excellence initiatives ensuring full participation in all department services, continuous improvement efforts, and training programs.

Quality Assurance

Maintains a safe, orderly working environment including FOD compliance.

Ensures adherence to Piper Aircraft, Inc. corporate compliance policies.

Adheres to organization and department policies and procedures.

Compliance

Responsible for ensuring compliance with laws, rules and regulations appropriate to job function.

Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.

Work ethically and with integrity; upholds organizational values.

Maintains compliance with company safety policies and procedures, OSHA, and EPA regulations including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), behaviors, physical space and hazardous waste disposal procedures.

Communicates Effectively

Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills who understands how to develop and maintain external supplier and internal customer relations in both written and oral form.

Maintain a high level of professionalism at all times during direct contact with employees, suppliers, and customers.

Decision Quality

Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving on-time with deliverables.

Optimizes Work Processes

Knows and contributes the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Attention to Detail

Takes responsibility for a thorough, accurate, and detailed method of completing work tasks.

Drives Results

Overcomes adversity, consistently achieving quality results - even under demanding deadlines and unexpected operating circumstances.

Teamwork

Interacts, partners, and collaborates effectively with others, positively contributing to overall department and organizational deliverables and results.