Supplier Quality Engineer

As a Supplier Quality Engineer at Impulse, you will be responsible for ensuring the quality and performance of components and materials from our suppliers. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to uphold high standards throughout the product lifecycle. In this role, you'll leverage your technical expertise and problem-solving skills to drive continuous improvement, resolve quality issues, and optimize supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

Manage the issue ticket landscape related to vendor performance and prescribe specific actions to improve quality, eliminate recurring non-conformances, and mitigate supply chain risks. Qualify parts and oversee the manufacturing process with vendors. Review and assess supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems, including new supplier onboarding and audit evaluations. Own and manage non-conformances identified at vendors (Supplier Deviation Requests) and during production. Partner with vendors to implement new processes or actions that reduce recurring issues and mitigate supply chain risks. Drive improvements in existing quality management processes while collaborating with vendors to enhance their performance. Manage containment, receiving, and precision inspection non-conformances, and develop resolutions for existing issues. Identify and implement improvements to reduce the overall issue ticket landscape. Foster improvements within the supply base to create a more stable and reliable supply chain. Provide technical support onsite at suppliers to ensure part reliability. Collaborate closely with Engineering, Procurement, and Production teams to ensure that high-quality parts and services meet all requirements. Analyze quality metrics to identify trends and root causes of systemic issues. Execute non-conformance management processes, including SDR, MRB, RTV, CAPA, and Production Issue Ticket reviews. Support containment actions related to non-conforming products, including identifying product locations, coordinating with Supply Chain Reliability Engineers to mitigate flight risks, and conducting root cause analysis.

Minimum Qualifications

2+ years of experience in an engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, or quality-related field, or a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related discipline. Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies. Knowledge of component manufacturing processes, quality standards, and certifications (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001). Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications. Ability to travel 25% of time.

Preferred Skills and Experience

4+ years of experience in Supplier Quality Engineering or a similar role within the aerospace, manufacturing, or a related industry. Strong understanding of quality management systems (QMS), supplier audits, and non-conformance management processes (SDR, MRB, CAPA, RTV). Strong problem-solving abilities with a proven track record of driving root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with suppliers. Experience using quality management tools and software (e.g., Minitab, SAP, or similar ERP systems). Proficiency with data analysis tools such as Excel, Power BI, or other analytics platforms.

Additional Information: Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here. Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

About Impulse Space

Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.