Supplier Quality Engineer in Ashland, Massachusetts at Kidde-Fenwal LLC

Supplier Quality Engineer

400 Main Street, Ashland, MA

Company Overview

KiddeFenwal is a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative industrial and commercial fire suppression systems and safety controls. Our proprietary, fully certified solutions save lives, protect property, and minimize business disruption.

Our trusted brands—Kidde Fire Systems and Kidde Fire Protection—deliver highly engineered fire suppression, detection, and control systems for industrial, commercial, and marine applications. Fenwal Controls supports OEMs with advanced gas ignition, temperature control, and overheat detection products.

Headquartered in Ashland, Massachusetts, KiddeFenwal operates worldwide with facilities in the United States, United Kingdom (KFI-UK), and India (KTI-India). Learn more at KiddeFenwal.

Our Purpose

We protect lives, livelihoods, and iconic assets through innovative solutions, strong partnerships, and exceptional customer experiences. Built on a foundation of integrity and safety, we drive results with speed and excellence while fostering innovation and teamwork.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Supplier Quality Engineer to support our incoming inspection team with daily inspection activities while partnering cross-functionally to ensure suppliers provide high-quality products that conform to engineering specifications and regulatory requirements. This role is approximately 50% dedicated to incoming inspection activities and 50% focused on supplier quality engineering responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of precision measuring tools and inspection techniques, including CMMs, thread gauges, calipers, micrometers, optical comparators, and GD&T principles. The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for examining incoming materials, in-process production, and finished products to verify quality and compliance requirements.

In addition, this role will lead supplier quality initiatives including qualifying new suppliers, investigating and resolving supplier quality issues, analyzing defect trends, and driving continuous improvement activities. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential to effectively collaborate with suppliers, internal teams, and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine and first article inspections on purchased components using precision measuring tools, instruments, and optical comparators.
• Support incoming inspection activities to ensure materials meet engineering and quality requirements.
• Manage supplier quality issues identified during incoming inspection or on the manufacturing floor.
• Utilize ERP systems, Excel spreadsheets, and drawing databases to access information, review drawings, and process transactions within the ERP system.
• Evaluate nonconforming products, assess impact, and coordinate supplier corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Lead supplier qualification and approval activities, including supplier selection and PPAP requirements.
• Coordinate initial component quality requirements including First Article Inspection (FAI), process qualification, control plans, and Gauge R&R studies.
• Generate supplier KPIs and performance metrics, including quarterly supplier scorecards.
• Identify underperforming suppliers and work collaboratively to improve quality performance and reduce defect rates.
• Support supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives, including transition activities to alternate suppliers when necessary.
• Lead root cause investigations and guide suppliers through effective 8D corrective action processes.
• Work independently to manage supplier quality program requirements and drive process improvements.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or inspection environments.
• Experience with inspection and acceptance of machined, forged, and cast components.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and proficiency using precision measuring equipment such as CMMs, calipers, micrometers, thread gauges, and optical comparators.
• Familiarity with industry standards including ANSI and ASTM.
• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Strong understanding of 8D problem-solving methodology and root cause corrective action processes.
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and other core quality tools.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.

Equal Opportunity Employer

KiddeFenwal is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.