Staff Supplier Development Engineer - Structures & Welding (R5984)
Seattle, Washingtonfull time
On Site
senior
H1B: no
Shield Staff Supplier Development Engineer responsible for technical development and performance improvement of suppliers for welded assemblies and large metallic structures. Conducts assessments and leads industrialization activities.
Responsibilities
Lead the technical development and performance improvement of suppliers supporting welded assemblies, large metallic structures, sheet metal components, and complex structural assemblies.
Assess supplier capabilities across welding, sheet metal forming, structural fabrication, machining, assembly, tooling, inspection, and special processes.
Conduct supplier capability assessments, manufacturing readiness reviews, process audits, capacity analyses, and onsite technical evaluations.
Partner with Strategic Sourcing and Engineering to evaluate and select suppliers capable of meeting technical, quality, cost, schedule, and production-rate requirements.
Serve as the primary technical interface between suppliers and internal Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program teams.
Lead supplier industrialization activities, including manufacturing planning, tooling and fixture readiness, process validation, capacity planning, qualification, and production ramp-up.
Review engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, bills of material, weld symbols, material requirements, special-process requirements, and statements of work.
Evaluate supplier welding capabilities, including welding equipment, personnel qualifications, weld procedures, process controls, inspection methods, and compliance with applicable aerospace welding standards.
Work with suppliers to control weld distortion, residual stress, dimensional variation, heat-affected zones, joint fit-up, and other risks associated with large welded structures.
Evaluate sheet metal forming processes such as brake forming, roll forming, stretch forming, hydroforming, stamping, and complex contour forming.
Assess supplier tooling strategies for large structures and sheet metal components, including weld fixtures, assembly jigs, forming tools, trim tools, and inspection fixtures.
Qualification
Large metallic airframe structuresWelded structural assembliesSheet metal components and assembliesSheet metal forming and fabricationStructural framesToolingActive UExperience supporting aircraftExperience with aluminumExperience resolving weld cracking
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Welding Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
7+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, welding engineering, supplier quality engineering, or a related technical role within aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience developing suppliers and resolving complex manufacturing, quality, capacity, or delivery issues.
Technical experience with one or more of the following commodity or process areas:
Large metallic airframe structures
Welded structural assemblies
Sheet metal components and assemblies
Sheet metal forming and fabrication
Structural frames, supports, mounts, and enclosures
Complex mechanical and structural assemblies
Precision-machined structural components
Tooling, fixtures, and assembly jigs
Preferred
Active U.S. government SECRET security clearance at the time of hire.
Direct supplier development experience involving large welded airframe structures, sheet metal assemblies, engine mounts, structural frames, or other flight-critical hardware.
Experience supporting the industrialization and production ramp-up of newly designed aerospace structures and assemblies.
Working knowledge of aerospace welding standards and specifications, including AWS D17.1 or comparable requirements.
