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Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The Supplier Quality Engineering Supervisor leads a high-performing team of Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs) responsible for enhancing supplier quality maturity, supporting robust product realization, and enabling the successful execution of both current production and new product introductions. This role oversees tactical execution activities such as containment, corrective actions, and MRB support, while also driving strategic initiatives including APQP deployment, PPAP readiness, and long-term supplier capability development.

As a key technical leader and mentor, the Supervisor fosters cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure suppliers meet AV’s quality, delivery, and compliance expectations. This role plays a pivotal part in advancing continuous improvement, strengthening supplier partnerships, and aligning supplier performance with the company’s long-term strategic objectives in innovation, product reliability, and operational excellence

Position Responsibilities

+ Lead, coach, and develop a team of Supplier Quality Engineers across multiple commodities (mechanical, electrical, etc.).

+ Oversee daily production support activities including issue containment, supplier SCARs, and material review board (MRB) involvement.

+ Ensure timely response to supplier-driven nonconformances and production quality issues to maintain manufacturing flow.

+ Support long-term supplier development initiatives including APQP, PPAP, and readiness for new product introduction (NPI).

+ Support critical events such as Product Readiness Reviews (PRR), technical design reviews, and readiness assessments to ensure product and process alignment at the supplier.

+ Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Program Management) to align supplier quality activities with business needs.

+ Drive supplier audits, root cause investigations, and implementation of robust corrective and preventive actions.

+ Develop, monitor, and report supplier performance metrics (DPPM, SCAR closure rates, audit scores, readiness indicators).

+ Participate in supplier selection and risk assessments for critical programs or sourcing decisions.

+ Represent the Supplier Quality organization in high-level cross-functional meetings and executive updates.

+ Ensure compliance with applicable standards including AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, and customer-specific quality requirements.

+ Foster a continuous improvement culture within the supplier base and internal SQE team.

+ **Other duties as assigned**

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

+ Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management or STEM related discipline.

+ Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in supplier quality, quality engineering, or manufacturing operations.

+ Minimum 2 years of experience in a supervisory, lead, or mentorship role managing technical teams.

+ Strong working knowledge of industry standards (AS9100, ISO 9001), supplier quality processes, and manufacturing quality tools (8D, 5 Whys, SPC, FMEA).

+ Proven technical expertise in supplier quality management, APQP, PPAP, risk management, and supplier audits.

+ Strong communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills when working with senior supplier and internal leadership teams.

+ Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across functions and represent the company to suppliers.

+ Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-mix, low-volume production environment.

+ Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (up to 50%).

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

+ Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related field.

+ IPC or J-STD Certified Trainer (CIT) highly preferred.

+ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP), or Six Sigma certification.

+ Experience with new product introduction (NPI) and APQP/PPAP frameworks (AS9145 preferred).

+ Familiarity with aerospace/defense manufacturing and regulatory compliance (e.g., ITAR).

+ Proficient in interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and quality standards including J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, and IPC/WHMA-A-620

Physical Demands

+ Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)

+ Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

+ **_U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or_** **_asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required._**

+ Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

The salary range for this role is:

$102,708 - $145,530

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

_T_ _his position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements._

**Benefits** : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

_We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status._

ITAR

ABOUT US

At AeroVironment, our purpose is to secure lives and advance sustainability through transformative innovation. Our solutions give our customers a fresh vantage point, positioning them to see the world with new eyes and extending their reach beyond the line of sight. That is the power of our breakthrough unmanned aircraft systems, perfected and refined over a half century.

Whether they are warfighters searching for an enemy, border patrol agents searching for people in need of assistance, or telecom providers linking millions to the digital economy, our customers choose AeroVironment because our systems generate actionable intelligence reliably, creating a path to goals that would otherwise be unattainable.

Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)