Supplier Quality Engineer

Role overview

The Supplier Quality Engineer role is focused on strengthening supplier quality performance so the business can meet its operational and strategic goals. The position partners closely with global engineering and technical teams, sourcing, and suppliers in India to improve supplier capability, strengthen quality planning, and close supplier-related quality gaps.

Core responsibilities

You will work across internal and external stakeholder groups to build effective working relationships with suppliers, customers, purchasing, manufacturing, and engineering teams. The role involves applying common APQP practices, AIAG tools, and Cummins-specific methods to help suppliers improve their manufacturing processes and quality systems.

In this position, you will support supplier audits and, after certification and experience, may independently lead low-complexity, low-risk audits. You will also contribute to resolving supplier quality issues by helping with root cause analysis, corrective action development, and verification of corrective action effectiveness. With experience, you may take ownership of simpler supplier quality problem resolutions.

The job also includes driving continuous improvement across the external supply base through lean and six sigma-based projects, as well as supporting quality performance planning and improvement for specific product groups or supplier segments. In addition, you will work with global technical and sourcing teams to develop suppliers in India, cascade technical requirements to suppliers, participate in DQR and APQP meetings, and drive completion of APQP and PPAP activities.

Technical focus

The position requires hands-on involvement in reviewing technical requirements and supplier readiness, including ECN implementation and product issue resolution. A strong understanding of sheet metal bending, forming, and drawing processes, especially for stainless steel materials, is important. Knowledge of welding processes and qualification requirements is also relevant, along with certification as a welding inspector.

Competencies and working approach

This role calls for strong communication, customer orientation, auditing ability, technical interpretation, manufacturing process design and validation, measurement system design, problem-solving, quality influence, and statistical analysis. It also requires familiarity with quality standards such as ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949, along with the ability to respect and use different perspectives and cultures effectively.

Education and compliance

A college, university, or equivalent degree in engineering or a related technical or scientific field is required. This position may also require licensing to comply with export control or sanctions regulations. Minimal relevant work experience is required.

Additional role information

This is an exempt, experienced-level position based on-site in Pune Division, Maharashtra, India. The role is classified as on-site with flexibility. Relocation support is not provided.