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POSITION SUMMARY

As a Supplier Quality Engineer III (Senior) at Sargent, you will work at our Tucson, AZ facility on an onsite schedule and report directly to the Supplier Quality Manager. In this role you will serve as a technical leader responsible for managing and continuously improving supplier quality performance across Sargent's Aerospace & Defense and Marine business units. You will lead complex supplier quality initiatives, support supplier development programs, risk assessments, audits, and corrective action activities to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.

The Supplier Quality Engineer III serves as a subject matter expert in supplier quality, applying advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality systems, auditing, risk management, and problem-solving methodologies to improve supplier capability, mitigate supply chain risks, and resolve critical quality issues. This role partners closely with suppliers and cross-functional teams, provides mentorship to junior quality engineers, and supports strategic sourcing and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, reliability, and operational performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead supplier qualification, approval, surveillance, audits, and performance management activities for strategic and high-risk suppliers.
• Serve as the primary supplier quality authority for assigned Aerospace & Defense and Marine suppliers.
• Lead investigations of supplier escapes, major nonconformances customer complaints, field failures, and systemic quality issues, including MRB support.
• Facilitate advanced root cause analysis and corrective action activities using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fault Tree Analysis, and DMAIC, and verify effectiveness of implemented actions.
• Develop and execute supplier improvement plans focused on quality, delivery, process capability, capacity, and quality system maturity.
• Lead supplier risk assessments and implement proactive risk mitigation strategies to strengthen supplier performance and supply chain resilience.
• Conduct supplier audits and assessments in accordance with AS9100, ISO 9001, customer, military, aerospace, marine, and internal quality requirements.
• Lead supplier APQP and PPAP activities, including manufacturing readiness reviews and approval of PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Capability Studies, FAIRs, and PPAP submissions.
• Analyze supplier quality metrics, audit results, scorecards, and process performance data to identify risks, trends, and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Operations, Program Management, and Quality teams to support supplier selection, qualification, strategic sourcing, work transfers, and new product introduction activities.
• Oversee supplier compliance with special process requirements, including welding, heat treating, plating, coatings, NDT, additive manufacturing, and materials testing.
• Mentor Supplier Quality Engineers and lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives to improve supplier capability, reduce defects, and enhance overall operational performance.
• Travel to supplier facilities as necessary to support audits, investigations, supplier development activities, source inspections, and business objectives.

Travel Requirement: Up to 50% travel, primarily domestic, with occasional international travel as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field and four (4) years of relevant supplier quality, quality, manufacturing, or engineering experience; or an Associate degree and six (6) years of related experience.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading supplier audits, supplier corrective action programs, and supplier development initiatives.
• Advance working knowledge of First Article Inspection (AS9102), APQP & PPAP (AS9145) methodologies.
• Strong working knowledge of quality management systems including AS9100, ISO 9001, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, military and commercial specifications, contracts, standards, and GD&T requirements.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including machining, assembly, fabrication, castings, forgings, materials processing, and special processes.
• Experience leading root cause investigations utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple suppliers, projects, and priorities with limited supervision.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to analyze supplier performance data and develop effective risk mitigation and improvement strategies.
• Ability to obtain AS9100 Lead Auditor certification within one (1) year of employment if not already certified.
• Ability to travel up to 50%, including local, domestic, and international travel as required.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Preferred Requirements:

• AS9100 Lead Auditor Certification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent certification.
• Experience in Aerospace & Defense, Marine, Naval Nuclear, Shipbuilding, DoD, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Advanced knowledge of aerospace, defense, military, and marine customer requirements.
• Experience with special processes including welding, NDT, coatings, plating, heat treatment, brazing, and materials testing. Experience ensuring supplier compliance with military specifications, DFARS/FAR, ITAR/EAR, domestic sourcing, material traceability, and counterfeit parts requirements.
• Experience with hydraulic components, precision machined components, actuators, valves, etc. 
• Experience leading supplier quality improvement programs and cross-functional quality initiatives.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and risk-based quality management principles.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, supplier quality software, quality data management systems, new product introduction, supplier transfers, and supply chain risk management.

Skills:

• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional team collaboration abilities.
• Advanced problem-solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management capabilities.
• Ability to influence supplier and organizational performance without direct authority.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance quality, delivery, cost, and risk.
• High integrity, accountability, professionalism, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Founded in 1919, RBC Bearings (Nasdaq: ROLL) has a long, successful history of quality craftsmanship and innovation in highly technical bearing products that require sophisticated design solutions and manufacturing capabilities for Industrial, Aerospace and Defense applications around the world. In 2015, RBC acquired Sargent Aerospace and Defense.

Founded in 1920, Sargent Aerospace & Defense leverages 100 years of expertise as a premier global supplier of precision engineered customized components that directly contributes to the safe operation of countless commercial and military aircraft, rotorcraft, submarines and land-based vehicles.

At Sargent, our mission is to secure our future by making the challenging a reality.  We achieve this by delivering high quality products and services that meet customer requirements and exceed customer expectations through employee development, customer focus and continual improvement.

Sargent’s continuing investment in people, assets, technology, and process quality ensures excellence and is integral to the company’s commitment to customers and their end-users. As we grow, we will continue to root our culture through our core values of Integrity, Respects & Values People, Customer Focus, Teamwork, Results Focus and Continual Improvement.

Company Benefits Include:

• Competitive Compensation
• Bonus platforms
• Holidays/Vacation/Sick Time
• 401k Savings & Investment Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement

• Medical/Dental/Vision Plans
• HSA/FSA
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Accident/Hospital/Critical Care Plans
• Pet Insurance  

• Gym & Rideshare Incentives
• Legal Insurance/Identity Theft
• Flexible Schedules
  • 3 & 4-day work week
  • ½ day Fridays

Dedication to our core values. Our must haves…

• Integrity, We do the right thing the right way. Our ideal candidate is ethical, honest in all interactions, delivers good news and bad, and follows through on commitments. Key Skills & Abilities is fair, credible, confidential, fiscally responsible and accountable for decisions and actions.
• Respects and Values People. - We encourage and bring out the potential of others. Our ideal candidate embraces diversity, recognizes and supports the accomplishments, talents and development of others. Key Skills & Abilities is committed to the building of strong relationships and creates an environment of trust and mutual respect.
• Customer Focus - We act with excellence in each and every interaction.   Our ideal candidate builds strong internal/external customer relationships and goes above and beyond to deliver high quality products and services on time, every time.  Key Skills & Abilities is responsive with strong customer service skills, product and job knowledge to provide excellent customer satisfaction.
• Teamwork - We are better together.  Our ideal candidate is inclusive, engaged and collaborative, sharing information, ideas and experiences to accomplish goals, improve decision making and leverage capabilities. Key Skills & Abilities is a dependable team player, demonstrated through attendance and punctuality, works well with others and has strong communication skills (both oral & written) to keep all stakeholders informed.
• Results Focus - We focus on the outcome, not the obstacle. Our ideal candidate must have a strong work ethic with a results/performance driven track record in a fast paced, changing and challenging environment. Key Skills & Abilities is adaptable, works with a sense of urgency and high level of initiative and demonstrates a commitment to quality with attention to detail.
• Continual Improvement - We encourage and drive innovation. Our ideal candidate must be naturally curious, passionate and never satisfied with the status quo.  Key Skills & Abilities is innovative and has a problem-solving mindset that provides and implements CI ideas.

EEO/AA/F/M/VET/DISABLED