Lead Principal Supply Chain Engineer

Select and Qualify Components:

-Provides advanced technical assessments of supplier components at varying degrees of complexity and integration level, by evaluating material composition, electrical characteristics, mechanical properties, and durability.
-Reviews component reliability using supplier-provided failure rate data and accelerated life testing, ensuring alignment with industry standards.
-Guides Supplier Quality, Supply Chain Security, and Test Engineering teams in establishing and updating qualification criteria for critical components.
-Reviews and recommends improvements regarding supplier manufacturing processes, introducing best practices for material traceability, process controls, and consistent component quality.

Supplier Engagement:
-Builds and manages strategic supplier relationships, negotiating technical specifications, quality benchmarks, and capacity commitments for critical components.
-Leads high-impact audits of new and existing suppliers, evaluating advanced production processes, risk management practices, and compliance with international quality and security standards.
-Develops and executes supplier development programs, driving innovation, efficiency, and quality improvements within supplier operations.
-Serves as a key contributor in cross-functional initiatives to develop new supply chain strategies that align with product development goals.

New Product Introduction:
-Supports the New Product Introduction (NPI) process by validating that components and supplier processes are production-ready before launch.
-Leads design reviews, offering technical guidance on component selection and manufacturability, and supplier capabilities.
-Guides suppliers to align production ramp-up plans with project milestones and demand forecasts.
-Oversees pilot production runs to confirm that manufacturing processes meet established quality and performance standards.

Failure Analysis:
-Oversees quality management processes, directing root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for supply chain issues, including with sub-tier component suppliers.
-Leads complex failure analysis efforts on supplier components, leveraging advanced analytical techniques (e.g., X-ray, scanning electron microscopy [SEM], electrical testing) to resolve systemic issues.
-Collaborates with suppliers to develop robust quality management systems, implementing process improvements that enhance product reliability and performance.
-Establishes and tracks advanced quality metrics, guiding continuous improvement initiatives to drive supplier excellence.
-Develops and enforces comprehensive procedures for managing non-conforming components, ensuring alignment with regulatory and operational standards.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
-Works closely with Design, Operations, Quality, and Procurement teams to ensure that component strategies align with overall product development goals.
-Acts as the primary technical liaison between suppliers and internal stakeholders to facilitate clear communication and timely resolution of issues.
-Leads cross-functional projects aimed at improving product quality, reducing costs, and enhancing supply chain performance.
-Provides expert consultation regarding design changes, process optimizations, escalations, and supply chain transitions across lines of business (LOB).

Core Responsibilities