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Infinitum Electric is pioneering next-generation axial flux electric motors that are lighter, more efficient, and more sustainable than conventional designs. The company's supply chain spans contract manufacturers, magnet suppliers, PCB manufacturers, and precision machining partners across the US, Mexico, and Asia.
The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for developing, managing, and continuously improving the quality performance of Infinitum's supplier base, with particular focus on critical and high-risk suppliers. This role leads supplier qualification, audit programs, incoming quality controls, supplier corrective action management, and collaborative supplier development activities. The Senior SQE acts as both a quality gate and a lean development partner for the supply chain.
Key responsibilities include:
**Supplier Quality Management & Performance:** Own quality performance of assigned suppliers by tracking incoming defect rates (PPM), on-time delivery, corrective action closure rates, and audit findings. Maintain supplier scorecards and lead periodic quality review meetings. Establish and enforce incoming inspection plans and acceptance criteria for critical components including magnets, PCBs, stator assemblies, and precision machined parts. Manage supplier quality escapes through containment, root cause investigation, and permanent corrective action. Monitor trends and proactively escalate systemic risks.
**Supplier Qualification & Development:** Lead new supplier qualification activities including quality system assessments, process audits, first article inspection (FAI), and approval decisions. Conduct on-site supplier audits at domestic and international locations. Develop supplier lean and quality capability through joint improvement activities including Kaizen Events, VSM exercises, A3 problem solving, and SMED workshops. Work with suppliers to implement pull systems, visual management, standard work, and statistical process control. Assess and develop Tier 2 supplier quality capability in coordination with Tier 1 strategic partners.
**Incoming Quality Control:** Design and maintain incoming inspection sampling plans based on supplier risk level, historical performance, and component criticality. Work with receiving and production teams to ensure proper identification, inspection, and disposition of incoming material. Drive suppliers toward certified supplier status as quality performance matures. Manage nonconforming material disposition including use-as-is decisions, rework, return to supplier, and scrap.
**Supplier Corrective Action (SCAR) Management:** Issue SCARs for quality escapes, audit findings, and systemic performance issues. Review and approve supplier 8D corrective action responses, challenging superficial root cause analysis. Track open SCARs through to verified effectiveness. Analyze SCAR trends to identify recurring failure modes and systemic supplier weaknesses.
**Cross-Functional Collaboration:** Partner with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams on new product introductions. Contribute to FMEA development and control plan creation. Support the Quality Management System by maintaining supplier quality records and documentation. Represent supplier quality in design reviews, engineering change notifications, and material review board activities.
The role requires up to 40% travel to supplier sites domestically and internationally, including regular visits to magnet and PCB suppliers in Vietnam and other Asian locations. When not traveling, the role operates primarily in a professional office environment at Infinitum HQ in Austin, TX, with regular visits to the production floor.
**REQUIREMENTS:**
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field
- 5–8 years of experience in supplier quality engineering in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated experience managing supplier relationships, conducting audits, and driving corrective actions
- Hands-on experience conducting supplier process audits and quality system assessments
- Proficiency with core quality tools: FMEA, control plans, MSA/Gage R&R, SPC, 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa
- Experience with first article inspection (FAI) processes and incoming inspection plan development
- Strong analytical skills to interpret supplier quality data, identify trends, and develop data-driven corrective action priorities
- Excellent communication skills to work constructively with suppliers across cultural and language boundaries and escalate supplier risks clearly to internal leadership
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 40% of the time
**PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:**
- Experience in electric motors, power electronics, magnetics, or precision electromechanical manufacturing
- Experience auditing and developing suppliers in Asia
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP), or equivalent
- Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt)
- Experience with magnet suppliers, PCB manufacturers, or precision machined component suppliers
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100 quality management system standards
- Experience with ERP-integrated supplier quality management systems
- Knowledge of lean accounting and total cost of quality frameworks applied to supplier performance evaluation
