Supplier Quality Engineer

Our mission is to provide real-time on-orbit connectivity for critical missions, enabling a new era of data-driven intelligence and innovation. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space communications while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities. 

Key Responsibilities:

Supplier Qualification & Development

• • Lead supplier quality qualification and approval activities, including capability assessments and risk evaluations (technical, manufacturing, and HSE) through initial and surveillance audits

  • Evaluate supplier processes to ensure alignment with internal and customer quality requirements

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives at suppliers to reduce defects, variation, and waste

  • Establish and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers to enable proactive quality management

  Supplier Quality Management

  • • Ensure supplied products meet defined quality standards and specifications to minimize cost of poor quality and production disruptions

    • Monitor supplier performance using data-driven metrics and identify improvement opportunities

    • Ensure supplier adherence to defined processes, procedures, and quality requirements

    Supplier Non-Conformance & Corrective Action Management

    • • Lead and/or facilitate root cause analysis and corrective action activities for supplier-related non-conformances

      • Review supplier root cause analyses and ensure effectiveness of corrective actions

      • Drive timely containment and resolution of supplier quality issues to prevent production impact

      Supplier Audits & On-Site Support

      • • Conduct supplier audits (process, system, and special process) to verify compliance and capability

        • Perform on-site supplier visits to investigate quality issues and validate corrective actions

        • Support supplier readiness for new product introduction and production scaling

        • Perform and/or support FAI inspections 

        Cross-Functional Collaboration

        • Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure supplier alignment with product and program requirements

        • Provide supplier quality input during supplier selection

        • Communicate supplier risks and performance clearly to internal stakeholders

        • You will be responsible for ensuring that the products supplied to Kepler meet our quality standards and requirements to minimize quality costs and maximize efficiency
          

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field
• 3+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Product Assurance in regulated industries (e.g., aerospace, automotive, medical devices)
• Experience working directly with external suppliers and managing quality performance
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
  • Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings (mechanical and electrical) and manufacturing processes
  • Willing to travel 50-60% with at least 10% to China to various supplier visits
  • Experience with root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone)
  • Familiarity with quality standards such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or equivalent
  • Strong data analysis and reporting skills and problem-solving and analytical thinking
  • Effective communication and stakeholder management
  • Comfortable working in fast-paced, high-growth environments
  • Ability to influence suppliers and internal teams without direct authority

Bonus Points:

• Experience with EEE components or electronics supply chains

• Familiarity with First Article Inspection (FAI / AS9102)

• Experience in New Space or high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments

• Relevant certifications in quality assurance or supplier quality assurance