Sr Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Title: Senior Supplier Quality Engineer Job Description The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer ensures that purchased components and materials consistently meet stringent quality, regulatory, and customer requirements. This role focuses on qualifying and monitoring suppliers, supporting pre-market supplier quality activities for new product development, and driving continuous improvement across the supply base. The engineer works independently as a seasoned technical specialist, using advanced expertise to solve complex problems, enhance processes, and support components used in brain, spinal cord, and pelvic stimulation products. Responsibilities Ensure that suppliers consistently deliver high-quality parts, materials, and services that meet applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. Qualify suppliers according to established company standards and support the administration of certified supplier programs to maintain cost-effective and reliable incoming quality. Monitor components and materials from initial acquisition through the manufacturing cycle, proactively identifying, communicating, and resolving supplier-related issues as they arise. Develop, prioritize, and maintain an auditing schedule to ensure designated suppliers are regularly audited and comply with good manufacturing practices (GMP) and quality standards. Evaluate suppliers’ internal processes and functions to assess overall performance, provide feedback, and support improvements in their operations. Provide pre-market quality engineering support to New Product Development (NPD) teams, partnering with Component Engineering and Post-Market Supplier Quality to deliver robust, defect-free parts and materials. Offer technical guidance and quality compliance oversight for supplier quality engagement throughout the NPD lifecycle, focusing on newly qualified parts and strategies that drive product quality and continuous improvement. Collaborate with Component Engineers to develop and implement Product Acceptance Sampling Strategies, coordinate the Approved Supplier List, deploy Supplier Owned Quality, and establish control plans for new products. Define receiving inspection requirements for incoming components and materials, including associated test method validation for internal test methods. Lead supplier selection and ongoing supplier support activities, ensuring that chosen suppliers can meet technical, quality, and regulatory expectations. Manage and execute component qualification activities, including review of specifications, validation results, and performance data to confirm suitability for use in brain, spinal cord, and pelvic stimulation products. Review and maintain component documentation and performance data, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal procedures and regulatory standards. Formulate, deliver, and manage technical projects that advance existing technology or introduce new technologies and therapies, from design through implementation. Work independently under limited supervision to determine approaches to complex technical and quality challenges, providing in-depth analysis and recommendations for process and system improvements. Build relationships with internal stakeholders, Senior customers, and vendors, exchanging information on status, issues, and ideas to influence decisions and achieve quality objectives. Coach, guide, and potentially direct the work of lower-level professionals, providing training, mentoring, and project leadership as needed. Contribute to the completion of work group objectives by fostering consensus and alignment on assignments related to supplier quality and component qualification. Identify and implement improvements to processes, systems, or products to enhance performance and reliability within the supplier quality function. Communicate complex technical and quality information clearly and effectively in documentation, reports, and presentations. Essential Skills Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience with a baccalaureate degree, or a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with an advanced degree. Baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree earned outside the United States that satisfies applicable regulatory requirements. Advanced knowledge of supplier quality engineering in a regulated technical industry, combining breadth and depth of expertise. Hands-on experience working directly with suppliers, including supplier selection, qualification, support, and performance evaluation. Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to address complex technical and quality issues that span multiple job areas or specialties. Excellent communication and documentation skills, including the ability to clearly convey technical requirements, quality expectations, and analysis to internal teams and external suppliers. Experience with component qualification processes, including review and validation of component performance data and documentation. Practical knowledge of project management principles, with the ability to manage projects or processes within the supplier quality and NPD space. Ability to work independently under limited supervision, determine approaches to solutions, and provide guidance and review for lower-level specialists. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience in supplier quality within a highly regulated technical industry, such as medical devices or similar environments. Familiarity with production part approval processes (PPAP) and advanced product quality planning (APQP), including experience with PPAP processes used for complex components. Knowledge of good manufacturing practices (GMP) and quality system standards applicable to component manufacturing and supplier operations. Experience with component qualification specifically for products used in brain, spinal cord, and pelvic stimulation therapies. Ability to develop and implement Product Acceptance Sampling Strategies and contribute to the creation and maintenance of Approved Supplier Lists. Experience deploying Supplier Owned Quality models and developing control plans for new products. Skill in defining receiving inspection requirements and performing or overseeing test method validation for internal test methods. Capability to communicate effectively with Senior internal and external customers and vendors, influencing decision-making through clear presentation of facts, status updates, and recommendations. Experience mentoring, coaching, or training other professionals and providing leadership on technical projects. Comfort working on complex, multifaceted problems that require in-depth analysis and creative solutions to improve processes, systems, or products. Work Environment The role operates within a technical, regulated product development and manufacturing environment that supports components used in brain, spinal cord, and pelvic stimulation products. The position is preferably based on-site, providing direct access to cross-functional engineering, quality, and supplier management teams, as well as manufacturing and inspection operations. However, remote work is also possible, and candidates may be considered for 100% remote arrangements depending on business needs. Work involves close collaboration with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, regular use of quality and engineering tools, and adherence to established procedures and industry standards. The environment emphasizes project ownership, independent problem-solving, and continuous improvement, with opportunities to lead initiatives, influence product quality, and contribute to advanced technologies and therapies. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Fridley, MN. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $65.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Fridley,MN. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.