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Supplier Development Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

BWXT

Supplier Quality Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN

Supports development of strategic supplier relationships. * Identifies and mitigates supplier ... Collaborates with Engineering on supplier technical evaluations. * Supports Manufacturing with ...

Hitachi

Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer

Nashville, TN · On-site

As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you will help shape the performance and integrity of critical ... Experience in supplier quality or supplier development activities * Strong analytical skills with ...

Hitachi

Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer

Alamo, TN

As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you will help shape the performance and integrity of critical ... Experience in supplier quality or supplier development activities * Strong analytical skills with ...

Hitachi

Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer

Memphis, TN · On-site

As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you will help shape the performance and integrity of critical ... Experience in supplier quality or supplier development activities * Strong analytical skills with ...

Hitachi, Ltd.

Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer

Alamo, TN · On-site

As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you will help shape the performance and integrity of critical ... Experience in supplier quality or supplier development activities * Strong analytical skills with ...

Trimble

SDET - Supplier Exchange

Knoxville, TN · On-site +1

$47.75 - $61.50/hr

Your Title: SDET Supplier Exchange Job Location: TN, CO, US REMOTE Trimble has an opening for a Software Developer Engineer in Test (SDET) Level II position in Knoxville, TN. This is an exciting time ...

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Supplier Development Engineer information

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$45.8K

$82.7K

$118K

How much do supplier development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for supplier development engineer in Tennessee is $82,677.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,600.00 and $94,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 the most commonly searched types of Supplier Development Engineer jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Supplier Development Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
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What job categories do people searching Supplier Development Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Supplier Development Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Supplier Development Engineer jobs in TN? For Supplier Development Engineer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Supplier Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Supplier Development Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,677 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Sr. Supplier Development Engineer, Data Center (Starlink)

SpaceX

Memphis, TN • On-site

Other

Posted 14 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SR. SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, DATA CENTER (STARLINK)
SpaceX is on mission to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. We are looking for talented, creative, and driven data center engineers to develop, drive, and maintain suppliers, from initial concept development to full scale production.
This is a high-profile, cross functional position that plays an integral role in enabling development and production of data centers. You will work in close coordination with internal engineering and manufacturing departments as well as directly with suppliers to execute effective, creative and smart supply chain strategies to activate some of the world's most technically advanced facilities and data centers.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Analyze data center hardware and processes from a first principles, physics-based approach with focus on data center hardware domain.
  • Ability to own complex rack-level solutions, system-level design decisions across mechanical, electrical, power, thermal, networking, and software integration domains.
  • Lead the integration of Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) principles into data center strategy and architecture, ensuring resilient, high-performing infrastructure that consistently delivers maximum uptime and operational continuity.
  • Experience in rack-level solution design and integration, switch/server experience, including compute (CPU-GPU), storage, or networking hardware integration.
  • Provide deep technical guidance on rack infrastructure including power distribution units (PDUs), cooling systems, airflow design, and high-density compute integration.
  • Apply reliability methods and thermal engineering, mechanical engineering and electronics to design accelerated test plans for design validation, burn-in testing, environmental stress screening (ESS), and ongoing reliability testing (ORT).
  • Facilitate and lead design FMEA sessions to assess hardware risks, determine validation test plans and drive reliable design choices.
  • Develop hardware qualification criteria, collaborate on functional and reliability requirements, and drive system-level optimization for high-volume installation.
  • Direct the supplier process modifications while ultimately responsible for approving first article inspection (FAI) reports, and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) reports.
  • Collaborate with design, materials, and infrastructure engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of hardware components and drive root cause corrective action with suppliers.
  • Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems.
  • Create and define supplier technical and quality requirements based on reliability lessons learned to enable continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, self-direction, and courage.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or related field.
  • Minimum 2+ years of experience in data center hardware design, integration, or manufacturing.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or related field.
  • 7+ years of experience focused on hyperscale or large-scale data center development and execution of complex rack solutions.
  • Proficiency in statistical data analysis including DOE, significance testing, sample sizes and confidence level using statistical tools such as JMP and Python.
  • Working knowledge of failure analysis techniques such as optical microscopy, SEM, CSAM, FIB, X-ray, cross-sectioning and EDX.
  • Experience in thermal analysis and data center cooling systems.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Position is based in Bastrop, TX or Memphis, TN or Palo Alto, CA, and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
  • Must be willing to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines
  • Ability to travel: Up to 30% of work week travel may be required
  • Valid driver's license

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
    Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to

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About SpaceX

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Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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