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Supplier Development Engineer Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Supplier Development Engineer

Fort Wayne, IN ยท On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

The Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) is responsible for ensuring the capability, quality, and performance of suppliers that provide materials, components, and services critical to Bowmar ...

Development Engineer

Indianapolis, IN ยท Hybrid

$78K - $128K/yr

Development Engineer Working Pattern: Hybrid/Onsite in office 3 days/week Working location ... Ensure project risks (technical, cost, supply chain, and timescale) are identified,managed ...

Development Engineer

Indianapolis, IN ยท On-site

$78K - $128K/yr

Development Engineer Working Pattern: Hybrid/Onsite in office 3 days/week Working location ... Ensure project risks (technical, cost, supply chain, and timescale) are identified, managed ...

The Development Engineer supports the Project Core Team over the course of a project, performing ... Work with suppliers to ensure products are cost effectively designed for manufacturability

Ongoing training and development through Bamboo Path Track & Litmos * Flexibility: Flextime options ... Strong knowledge of supplier quality management principles and quality engineering practices.

They are responsible for working closely with design engineers, quality engineers, manufacturing associates, and suppliers throughout all phases of the product development lifecycle. The development ...

Collaborate with Quality, Regulatory, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Marketing, and other ... development, design engineering, or R&D experience. * Experience participating in product ...

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Showing results 1-20

Supplier Development Engineer information

See Indiana salary details

$48.1K

$86.7K

$123.7K

How much do supplier development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for supplier development engineer in Indiana is $86,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,100.00 and $99,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a supplier development engineer?

A Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) is responsible for improving and managing supplier performance to ensure quality, cost, and delivery requirements are met. They work closely with suppliers to implement process improvements, ensure compliance with industry standards, and resolve production issues. SDEs often conduct audits, provide technical support, and collaborate with internal teams to optimize the supply chain. Their goal is to enhance supplier capabilities and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing and procurement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a supplier development engineer?

To thrive as a Supplier Development Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering, supplier quality management, and process improvement, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with quality management systems (QMS), statistical analysis software, and certifications such as Six Sigma or APQP is highly valued. Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and cross-functional communication skills help drive effective supplier collaboration and problem-solving. These competencies are vital for ensuring suppliers consistently meet quality, cost, and delivery standards critical to organizational success.

What are some typical challenges that a supplier development engineer may face in their daily work?

Supplier Development Engineers frequently encounter challenges such as identifying root causes of supplier quality issues, aligning diverse vendor processes with organizational standards, and managing timelines for corrective actions. You may also need to work across time zones and cultures if dealing with international suppliers, which requires strong coordination and communication skills. In this role, balancing proactive improvement initiatives with urgent problem resolution is common. Successfully overcoming these challenges contributes directly to smoother production processes, improved product quality, and stronger supplier partnerships.

What job categories do people searching Supplier Development Engineer jobs in Indiana look for?

The top searched job categories for Supplier Development Engineer jobs in Indiana are:

Infographic showing various Supplier Development Engineer job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,680 per year, or $41.7 per hour.

Supplier Development Engineer

Fort Wayne, IN โ€ข On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Job description


Full Time
Bowmar Home Office Fort Wayne, IN, US
Salary Range:$80,000.00 To $95,000.00 Annually
Job Summary:
The Supplier Development Engineer (SDE) is responsible for ensuring the capability, quality, and performance of suppliers that provide materials, components, and services critical to Bowmar's electromechanical assembly operations. This role focuses on developing and qualifying new suppliers, improving existing supplier performance, and ensuring compliance with aerospace and defense quality standards (AS9100, ISO 9001, etc.).
The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in manufacturing and quality engineering, with experience in supplier management within the aerospace or defense industry.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Supplier Qualification & Onboarding
    • Evaluate and qualify new suppliers through audits, capability assessments, and risk analysis.
    • Work cross-functionally with engineering, supply chain, and quality teams to establish supplier approval criteria.
  • Supplier Performance & Development
    • Monitor supplier performance using KPIs (quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness).
    • Lead supplier improvement initiatives to address root causes of nonconformance or delivery issues.
    • Conduct on-site visits to drive process improvements and ensure alignment with company standards.
  • Technical Support & Collaboration
    • Partner with suppliers to develop manufacturing processes and ensure technical compliance to drawings, specifications, and industry standards.
    • Support new product introduction (NPI) by engaging suppliers early in the design phase for manufacturability and cost optimization.
  • Quality & Compliance
    • Ensure suppliers adhere to AS9100/ISO 9001, ITAR, and customer-specific quality requirements.
    • Review and approve supplier PPAPs, FAI reports, process validations, and corrective actions.
    • Participate in MRB and support root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities.
  • Continuous Improvement
    • Promote and lead lean manufacturing principles within Bowmar and the supply base.
    • Identify opportunities to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost through process optimization and supply chain improvements.

The above list reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal function of the job identified and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in this job.
Core Competencies: These competencies are identified by Bowmar leadership and should be demonstrated by all employees across the enterprise. Bowmar Core competencies are listed below:
  • Integrity
  • Accountability

  • Proactivity
  • Honesty

Position Specific Competencies: Competencies that are identified by Bowmar leadership and are unique to the position and necessary for the individual to successfully accomplish the position's functions.
0
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Customer Orientation
  • Engineering Prowess
  • Innovative

  • Accountability
  • Teamwork

Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (or related field).
  • 5+ years of experience in supplier development, quality engineering, or manufacturing engineering in the aerospace/defense industry.
  • Experience with electromechanical assemblies, precision machining, or electronics manufacturing preferred.

Technical Skills:
  • Strong understanding of GD&T, engineering drawings, and manufacturing processes.
  • Working knowledge of quality systems (AS9100, ISO 9001) and industry standards (MIL, IPC, etc.).
  • Experience with PPAP, FAI, PFMEA, SPC, and root cause analysis tools.
  • Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and supplier performance tracking tools.

Soft Skills:
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent communication and supplier negotiation skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small-company environment.
  • Willingness to travel domestically to supplier sites (10-20%).

Additional Information:
This position is eligible for bonus, 401(k) matching, vacation, 14 paid holidays, and health and wellness benefits. Salary is based on job-related, non-discriminatory, factors such as experience, education, training skills and abilities.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Bowmar follows a Drug Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy. Any individual who is offered employment with Bowmar will be required to submit to a drug screen prior to beginning employment. Employees working in safety-sensitive positions will be subject to random testing.
Required Experience
Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (or related field).
  • 5+ years of experience in supplier development, quality engineering, or manufacturing engineering in the aerospace/defense industry.

Required Skills
Technical Skills:
  • Strong understanding of GD&T, engineering drawings, and manufacturing processes.
  • Working knowledge of quality systems (AS9100, ISO 9001) and industry standards (MIL, IPC, etc.).
  • Experience with PPAP, FAI, PFMEA, SPC, and root cause analysis tools.
  • Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and supplier performance tracking tools.

Soft Skills:
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent communication and supplier negotiation skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small-company environment.
  • Willingness to travel domestically to supplier sites (10-20%).

Preferred Experience
  • Experience with electromechanical assemblies, precision machining, or electronics manufacturing preferred.