Supplier Quality Control Supervisor

ABOUT THE JOB

As the Supplier Quality Control Supervisor, you will lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of quality control inspectors responsible for both internal receiving and external source inspection operations. You will serve as a frontline technical and operational leader bridging our internal manufacturing needs with our external supply base—ensuring parts meet rigorous mission-critical standards before they ever leave a supplier’s dock.

 

Your focus will be on the tactical execution of inspection processes, workforce management, supplier containment, and the application of rigorous quality standards, including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), calibrated measurement tools, data systems, and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP). If you are passionate about developing people, holding suppliers accountable, and driving operational excellence from the vendor floor to final assembly, this position is for you.

 

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Directly lead, mentor, and scale a team of Quality Inspectors across multiple shifts and sites; conduct regular 1-on-1s, skill-gap assessments, and performance appraisals.
• Manage workforce planning and scheduling to optimize inspection throughput, clear receiving backlogs, and meet aggressive production milestones.
• Oversee and execute Source Inspections at supplier facilities, validating product conformance against engineering drawings, technical specifications, purchase orders, and AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAIs) prior to shipment.
• Establish and govern a Delegated Inspection program, qualifying and auditing trusted suppliers to perform self-release to accelerate dock-to-stock timelines.
• Lead rapid on-site containment and material sorting at vendor facilities during critical quality escapes, supplier non-conformances (NCRs), and Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs).
• Train and elevate team technical competencies in blueprint reading, GD&T, CMM/metrology equipment, calibrated measurement tools, and electronics assembly standards.
• Cultivate a culture of high accountability, empowering inspectors to issue stop-work or containment notices whenever safety, compliance, or quality standards are compromised.
• Resolve tactical ambiguities in inspection methods, inspection orders, and operational planning, giving inspectors clear direction on daily execution.
• Manage incoming inspection operations, including Receiving Material Inspection, In-process inspection, End-of-line Inspection, and ad-hoc containment audits.
• Partner with Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) and Procurement to conduct on-site supplier process evaluations, risk assessments, and production readiness reviews.
• Author, standardize, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality control plans, and inspection checklists.
• Collect and statistically analyze data to identify supplier failure trends, lower defect rates, and eliminate recurring non-conformances.
• Ensure full compliance and audit-readiness with AS9100 requirements and customer standards.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of progressive Quality and/or Regulatory experience within the Aerospace, Defense, or Automotive industries.
• 3+ years of direct people management experience, with a proven track record of hiring, coaching, and managing the day-to-day performance of quality technicians or inspectors.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience performing on-site Source Inspections and verifying AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAIs) at supplier facilities.
• Strong working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (AS9100 / ISO 9001) and sampling methodologies (ANSI/ASQ Z1.4).
• Hands-on exposure to the inspection of mechanical assemblies and electronic components (PCBs, wire harnesses, power supplies) for high-reliability aerospace applications.
• Advanced proficiency in blueprint reading, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), standard metrology hand tools, and calibrated measurement equipment.
• Proven leadership and decision-making capabilities in a fast-paced production and hardware environment.
• Strong written, verbal, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Must be able to travel up to 50% to local manufacturing sites and HQ in Orange County, CA, and up to 20% to out-of-state supplier facilities and other company sites.
• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Quality Engineering).
• ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), Quality Engineer (CQE), or Quality Manager (CMQ/OE).
• Active or prior IPC-A-610 or IPC/WHMA-A-620 certifications.
• Experience standing up, managing, or auditing a Delegated Quality Representative (DQR) / Supplier Self-Release program.
• Experience managing field-based, remote, or traveling quality inspection personnel across distributed manufacturing sites or vendor hubs.
• Demonstrated experience leading on-site 8D / Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations with vendor executive teams.
• Proficiency with manufacturing execution and PLM/ERP tools (e.g., Jira, MES, ERP, Teamcenter, CAD).
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and APQP/PPAP frameworks.

TRAVEL

• 50% travel required to local manufacturing sites and HQ in Orange County.
• 20% travel to other Anduril sites out of state.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Work in clean room environments.
• Use of precision optical tools and equipment.
• Visual acuity and color discrimination required for inspection.
• Adherence to laser safety and contamination control protocols.