Staff Supplier Quality Engineer

We're looking for a hands-on Staff Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE). As a Staff SQE, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems.

In this role, you'll partner with teams from manufacturing, supply chain, and design engineering to create and maintain the quality systems and processes that ensure the reliability and performance of components and materials from our supply base. Supplier quality is paramount to IonQ, and this Staff SQE role will help ensure a systematic approach to implementation, execution, and maintenance of a robust Quality Management System (QMS) as it pertains to external suppliers.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with St. Sourcing and Engineering & Technology on supplier selection and qualification activities, including conducting on-site audits and assessments to evaluate potential new suppliers.
• Monitor and manage ongoing supplier performance, driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, reliability, and delivery from the existing supply base.
• Lead the strategic development, implementation, and execution of processes covering incoming material inspection, supplier audits, and comprehensive supply base change management.
• Execute incoming material inspection, concurrently establishing, refining, and documenting robust procedures for future operational hand-off.
• Develop specific Supplier Quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure supplier performance and determine how these efforts drive overall quality improvement, leading to better customer satisfaction and lower total cost of ownership.
• Lead and conduct supplier audits and assessments to evaluate supplier quality management systems, manufacturing processes, and overall capability. Drive continuous improvement initiatives at supplier sites.
• Manage the company's Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCAR) process. Drive the resolution of complex supplier quality issues, working cross-functionally to identify appropriate containment, perform in-depth root cause analysis, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions. Track quality-related action items with vendors and suppliers, verifying completion and driving issues to closure.
• Actively Participate In the Qualification Review Board (QRB), collaborating with Engineering and Manufacturing to manage changes and qualifications for supplied materials, parts, and processes, particularly for critical components.
• Represent Supplier Quality on the company process Change Control Board (CCB), leading significant supplier-related process changes and continual improvement initiatives within the supply chain.

You’d be a good fit with:

• Minimum of 8+ years related Supplier Quality, manufacturing, and/or manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline.
• Extensive experience in supplier failure analysis, root cause analysis, corrective actions, implementing robust process controls, and leading process improvement within a supply chain context.
• ERP & MRP system experience, preferably Oracle NetSuite.
• Experience and knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS), such as ISO 9001, and achieving business certifications.
• Experience with quality methods and tools such as Six Sigma or Eight Disciplines (8D) for complex supplier issue resolution.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, particularly in interacting with external suppliers and senior management, including the ability to explain data requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic fast-paced environment.

You’d be a great fit with:

• Proven ability to thrive and contribute effectively in a rapidly changing, fast-scaling startup environment.
• Experience working with suppliers, contractors, and employees on compliance-related matters, including data collection (PowerBI) and sharing, and ensuring ITAR compliance in all interactions.
• General knowledge of industry technical standards (such as ANSI, CMMI, ASTM, etc.) as they apply to supplier quality, with an emphasis on interpretation and application.
• General knowledge of complex optical, electrical, or mechanical products and systems and experience in high-technology manufacturing environments.
• General knowledge of ESD, calibration, and preventive maintenance processes within a supplier context.
• General knowledge and experience with Reliability Engineering, translating customer availability to system/component quality and reliability for supplied parts.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate cross-functional teams and supplier teams in systematic improvement activities and drive impactful results.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work well with customers, suppliers, and in a team environment.
• Experience and knowledge of environmental, health & safety management systems, such as ISO 14001, and achieving business certifications.

Location: This role can work from our facility in Bothell, WA or College Park, MD. Strong preference for Bothell, WA.
Travel: 25-50% travel, primarily for supplier visits and audits. 
Job ID:  1142

The approximate base salary range for this position is $128,119 - $167,740. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.