Mechatronic Supplier Development Engineer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluate and approve new suppliers through rigorous quality and technical assessments, audits, and capability reviews focused on mechatronics components and systems.
• Review suppliers’ pre-production testing/validation and product realization processes.   Ensure that their equipment and manufacturing processes are capable with the necessary in-line testing/gaging so that supplied materials meet the desired outputs, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Work closely with suppliers to resolve design, manufacturing, and quality issues. Provide support for product launches and changes as needed.
• Track and analyze supplier KPIs (quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness).
• As may be required, lead the tracking and root cause analysis of designated supplier’s product/process non-conformances.  Address and facilitate the resolution of supplier issues and drive formal corrective action.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives at supplier sites using Lean, Six Sigma, and APQP methodologies.
• The focus is on problem prevention, supplier process and quality control, data collection and problem-solving activities toward continuous improvement. Identifying and appropriately implementing statistical engineering tools and techniques to evaluate and implement supplier process capability and technical performance.
• Supports and assist suppliers to reduce total cost by eliminating waste in the supply chain process. Use 6 sigma and lean manufacturing/lean enterprise tools to drive the results.
• Collaborate with internal teams including Engineering, Site Quality, Sourcing and Procurement,  and Manufacturing to align supplier capabilities with program requirements.

Keys to Success

Supervisory Responsibilities

Requirements and Preferred Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 15 years of experience in supplier development, quality engineering, or manufacturing engineering, preferably in automotive or industrial sectors.
• Strong understanding of mechatronics systems, including motors, embedded controls, sensors, actuators, PCBs, (with knowledge of Gerber files and required fabrication steps, etching, plating, and drilling etc.), and electromechanical integrations. 
• Knowledge of various electronic and mechanical component manufacturing processes. 
• Understanding manufacturing capabilities and the limitations of these various processes, as they apply to Gates products.  Working knowledge of GD&T dimensioning system which may be found on our drawings and specifications.
• Certifications and Standards:  ISO/IATF 16949 Supplier Auditor Certification or solid experience auditing under these standards. Knowledge of IPC (Institute for Printed Circuits ) standards an asset.   
• A strong working knowledge of the quality assurance tools (PPAP, APQP, FMEA, DOE, SPC, etc.) needed in supplier quality.   A strong working knowledge of problem-solving tools (KANBAN, Poka-Yoke, 8-D). 
• Experience with PPAP, APQP, FMEA, and control plans.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.
• Will be required to travel both domestically and internationally to supplier locations  (up to 60%).