Supplier Quality Engineer

The Supplier Quality Engineer supports supplier quality initiatives that enable the business to achieve operational and strategic supplier quality goals. This role is responsible for driving supplier quality improvement, ensuring compliance with quality standards, supporting supplier onboarding and performance monitoring, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing processes and product quality across the supply base.

Key Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with critical stakeholders including external suppliers, customers, and internal teams such as Purchasing, Manufacturing, and Engineering to improve quality and business outcomes.
• Support supplier quality planning and continuous improvement initiatives across assigned product categories or supplier segments.
• Apply industry-standard Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes, AIAG tools, and Cummins-specific quality tools to develop and improve supplier manufacturing processes.
• Participate in supplier audits to evaluate manufacturing process capability, identify risks, and ensure compliance with quality and safety requirements; lead low-complexity audits after certification.
• Support resolution of supplier-related quality issues through structured problem-solving and root cause analysis.
• Develop, implement, and verify corrective and preventive actions to ensure sustainable issue resolution.
• Drive continuous improvement projects using methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma to reduce defects and improve supplier performance.
• Support supplier performance improvement strategies by identifying systemic deficiencies and executing quality improvement plans.
• Work with suppliers and SQEs to identify critical product/process characteristics and define monitoring frequency.
• Manage supplier onboarding activities in SPFM.
• Provide supplier training on required data submission formats and quality expectations.
• Perform supplier data sanity checks and validate submitted quality data.
• Review supplier performance and compliance metrics through Power BI dashboards.
• Communicate non-compliant data findings to suppliers and internal SQE teams.
• Initiate Problem Notification Cases (PNC) in CQMS for non-compliant supplier data.
• Ensure supplier product reliability by evaluating product design, manufacturing process design, and validation capability.

Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law.
Responsibilities:
Skills and Competencies

• Effective Communication – Ability to communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders and influence outcomes.
• Customer Focus – Builds strong customer relationships and delivers quality-focused solutions.
• Auditing Skills – Knowledge of auditing techniques and Quality Management Systems to assess supplier compliance and risks.
• Technical Drawing Interpretation – Ability to interpret engineering drawings using GD&T and engineering standards.
• Manufacturing Process Design – Knowledge of manufacturing methods, tools, and equipment to support zero-defect processes.
• Manufacturing Process Validation – Proficiency in core automotive quality tools including DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plan, SPC, MSA, Source Release, and PPAP.
• Measurement System Design – Ability to design reliable measurement systems using metrology principles.
• Problem Solving – Strong analytical and root cause analysis skills using structured methodologies.
• Quality Influence – Ability to collaborate across functions and drive balanced quality decisions.
• Quality Standards Knowledge – Understanding of ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949, and regulatory quality requirements.
• Statistical Analysis – Ability to use statistical tools and data analysis to improve decision-making and process capability.
• Supplier Performance Improvement – Capability to develop and execute supplier quality improvement strategies.
• Project Planning & Execution – Strong APQP-based project management and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Data Analytics – Ability to analyze supplier performance data using tools such as Power BI.
• Collaboration & Inclusion – Values diverse perspectives and fosters effective teamwork.

Experience

• Minimal relevant work experience required for entry-level roles.
• Experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, quality systems, or automotive quality processes is preferred.
• For internal candidates, hands-on experience with PPAP (Level 1–4), supplier quality data management, dashboard analysis, and supplier compliance monitoring is highly desirable.

Qualifications:
Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical/scientific discipline required.
2. Additional certifications in Quality, Six Sigma, Lean, or Supplier Quality are preferred.