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Salary: USD 120,000 - 180,000 / annual
Zipline is the world's largest autonomous drone delivery service, operating on four continents and completing millions of deliveries of blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products. The company has flown over 140 million commercial autonomous miles and is scaling a global logistics system that reduces emissions and strengthens supply chains.
As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you will own quality performance for assigned suppliers and purchased components, ensuring parts meet engineering requirements and support reliable manufacturing and fleet operations. You will work directly with suppliers and cross-functional teams including Supplier Industrialization Engineering, Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality to prevent defects, resolve issues, and strengthen processes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing supplier quality performance, establishing expectations, monitoring metrics, and driving improvement plans based on risk and defect trends
- Leading containment and corrective action for supplier defects, conducting structured investigations (8D, 5 Whys), and verifying effectiveness
- Supporting supplier and part qualification through the Zipline Part Approval Process (ZPAP), including first article inspections, material certifications, and process capability reviews
- Strengthening supplier process controls by reviewing PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, and inspection methods
- Improving incoming quality by defining inspection criteria and recommending strategies based on part criticality and supplier performance
- Participating in new-product launches, production ramps, supplier transfers, and design changes to identify and mitigate quality risks
- Conducting supplier process audits and hands-on improvement activities to reduce defects and recurring disruptions
- Connecting production and field learnings by investigating supplier-related failures and incorporating lessons into controls
- Maintaining clear records and visibility of supplier quality issues, corrective actions, and qualification evidence
This role is 100% on-site in South San Francisco with approximately 10% travel for supplier assessments and issue resolution.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
- 5+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, Supplier Industrialization, or closely related engineering role in complex hardware manufacturing
- Demonstrated success resolving supplier quality issues through containment, root-cause analysis, corrective action, and effectiveness verification
- Hands-on experience with structured problem-solving methods (8D, 5 Whys, fishbone analysis)
- Practical knowledge of APQP, PPAP, first article inspection, PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and MSA
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T; translate requirements into manufacturing and inspection controls
- Experience assessing supplier manufacturing processes, conducting audits, and driving corrective actions with external partners
- Strong analytical and communication skills; ability to explain technical risks and prioritize competing issues
- Ability to work independently while building productive relationships across suppliers and internal teams
Bonus qualifications:
- Experience in aerospace, robotics, automotive, medical devices, or other industries with demanding reliability requirements
- Experience with electromechanical assemblies, electric motors, precision machined parts, castings, molded components, electronics, or wire harnesses
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949 quality management systems
- Experience supporting new-product introduction, supplier production ramps, or manufacturing transfers
- Proficiency with statistical analysis and quality reporting tools (JMP, Minitab, Excel)
- ASQ certification, Six Sigma certification, or demonstrated application of continuous improvement methods
