Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Who we are:  

We're transforming one of the world’s oldest industries with cutting-edge technology and an innovative approach. Backed by top-tier investors and recognized by Time as one of the "best Inventions of 2024" and Fast Company as one of 2024's "Next Big Things in Tech", Electra is scaling rapidly and we're looking for bold, driven individuals to help us reshape the future of iron production. If you're ready to make a real impact in a company that's redefining heavy industry for a cleaner, smarter world, we want to hear from you.

What you will do:  

The Senior Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for development and ownership of a robust supplier quality management program in support of Electra’s growing strategic supplier requirements. This role will drive supplier quality improvement initiatives across the supply base, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with industry regulations and customer requirements, to ensure that all sourced materials and components meet stringent quality standards. This position is critical to maintaining product integrity, operational efficiency, and supporting the broader Supply Chain organization in delivering strong supplier partnerships in support of organizational goals and strategic objectives. 

Responsibilities include:

• Define and execute the supplier quality strategic vision, aligned with organizational goals
• Develop long-term strategies for quality-based supplier performance improvement and risk mitigation
• Establish and maintain robust quality driven inputs to support supplier selection, development and monitoring programs
• Implement incoming material review and CAPA processes
• Drive supplier-owned quality programs to ensure materials consistently meet documented specifications
• Establish traceability process for supplied materials to enable root cause analysis
• Support establishment of supplier quality systems consistent with ISO 9001 or similar standards
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements where necessary
• Aid in identifying and troubleshooting process breakdowns and opportunities to address any systemic issues
• Partner with Procurement, Technology, Operations, and Commercial teams to align on supplier quality objectives
• Support R&D by ensuring suppliers understand specifications and maintain conformance to quality requirements while ramping to volume
• Provide training and support to employees on quality and process improvement matters
• Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for supplier quality 
• Develop and present reporting and insights into supplier quality performance and risk 
• Work in conjunction with Procurement to conduct risk assessments for critical suppliers and implement mitigation plans 
• Develop contingency strategies for supply chain disruptions related to quality issues
• Read, understand, and comply with all workplace health and safety policies, safe work practices, and company policies and procedures 
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor 

What we need you to bring to the team:  

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, metallurgical, or mining engineering, materials science or materials engineering, quality management, or related field  
• 8+ years of experience in supplier quality within a manufacturing environment, ideally with metals, injection molding and industrial chemical suppliers 
• Certified Quality Manager (CQM) or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/QE). 
• Demonstrated experience leading quality planning through design transfer, pilot, or demonstration‑scale operations into early-stage commercial operations 
• Proven expertise in applying APQP principles (DFMEA, PFMEA, PPAP etc.) in a scaling manufacturing or industrial environment 
• Expertise in Lean Six Sigma, and related quality tools. 
• Experience developing and administering a QMS, ideally with expertise in ISO 9001 
• Experience working with Contract Manufacturing Organizations 
• Proven ability to influence across functions and play a leading role in managing strategic suppliers. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exhibit a sense of urgency, and maintain equilibrium in a fast-moving and changing startup environment 
• Strong analytical skills, with a focus on data-driven decision-making  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint