Supplier Development Engineer

Benefits:

Competitive salary

Flexible schedule

Opportunity for advancement

Supplier Development Engineer, Aerospace Manufacturing Location: Ventura County, CA Rate: $60-70/hr Company: Third Party International Engagement: Full Time, Contract to hire or direct hire Travel: Up to 25 percent

Third Party International is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer to support aerospace manufacturing clients with supplier performance, qualification, and continuous improvement. This role is ideal for a hands on engineer with experience in high precision machined parts or printed circuit board manufacturing who can work directly with suppliers to improve quality, delivery, and process capability.

About the Role

You will serve as the technical interface between the client and key suppliers. You will assess supplier capabilities, lead improvement plans, support qualification of new sources, and drive corrective actions tied to quality and delivery issues. Work includes on site supplier engagement, data driven problem solving, and coordination with internal engineering, quality, and supply chain teams.

Key Responsibilities

Qualify new suppliers including capability assessments, process reviews, and readiness planning

Lead supplier development activities to improve on time delivery, reduce escapes, and strengthen process control

Drive corrective actions using structured methods such as 8D, 5 Why, and root cause analysis

Support APQP, PPAP, FAI, control plans, and inspection planning as applicable to the commodity

Review drawings and specifications and ensure technical and quality requirements are correctly flowed down and understood

Monitor supplier performance metrics and lead recurring performance reviews and recovery plans

Partner with internal teams across supply chain, engineering, and quality to align supplier actions to program needs

Support audits and supplier surveillance activities as required

Required Qualifications

Five or more years of supplier development, supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or related experience

Direct experience with either high precision machined parts or printed circuit board manufacturing

Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, inspection methods, and process controls

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and apply GD and T where applicable

Experience with first article packages, inspection plans, and supplier documentation control

Strong communication skills and comfort working directly with suppliers on site

Ability to travel up to 25 percent

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in aerospace manufacturing environments and familiarity with AS9100 expectations

Experience with special processes, critical characteristics, and traceability requirements

Six Sigma or lean tools experience

Background supporting supplier transfers, resourcing, or capacity expansion

About Third Party International

Third Party International thirdparty.biz provides engineering, quality, and supply chain professionals to aerospace and defense manufacturers across the United States. We deploy experienced consultants to stabilize supplier performance, support new source qualification, and improve execution across the supply base.

If you have strong supplier development experience with precision machining or PCB manufacturing and you are interested in a contract to hire or direct hire opportunity through Third Party International, we invite you to apply.