Vendor Quality Engineer

Description

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)

Experience: 5+ years of experience in supply chain required. 

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience.

Compensation: $90,000-$150,000 depending on experience. 

Who We Are

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense.  Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies.  Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective.  We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.  

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary:

The Vendor Quality Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring that external suppliers meet the organization’s standards for quality, capability, and performance. This position partners closely with internal engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to develop robust supplier relationships, drive continuous improvement, and support the successful introduction of new products.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.  Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.  Please review this information before applying.

Responsibilities:    

• Establish and maintain quality expectations for suppliers, including specifications, inspection criteria, and performance metrics.
• Monitor supplier performance through data analysis, scorecards, and regular reviews.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action activities to resolve supplier-related quality issues.
• Translate engineering, regulatory, and contractual requirements into clear, actionable flow-downs for suppliers.
• Ensure suppliers understand and comply with all technical documentation, standards, and process requirements.
• Collaborate with internal teams to maintain accurate and complete supplier documentation packages.
• Oversee the identification, containment, and disposition of non-conforming supplier material.
• Facilitate Material Review Board (MRB) activities and ensure timely closure of non-conformance reports.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurrence.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes, technologies, and capacity to ensure alignment with current and future business needs.
• Identify risks and opportunities within supplier operations and recommend improvement strategies.
• Support supplier selection decisions through technical assessments and capability audits.
• Plan, execute, and document supplier audits focused on quality systems, process controls, and compliance.
• Track audit findings and verify effective implementation of corrective actions.
• Maintain audit schedules and support supplier development initiatives.
• Collaborate with design engineering to ensure manufacturability and supplier readiness for new product designs.
• Lead supplier engagement during prototype builds, pilot runs, and production ramp-up.
• Validate supplier processes through PPAP, FAI, or equivalent qualification activities.

Required Experience / Capability:     

• Commitment to Excellence.  Attention to Detail.  Pride in Workmanship.    
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Experience in supplier quality, manufacturing engineering, or supply chain engineering.
• Strong understanding of quality tools (e.g., FMEA, SPC, 8D, PPAP).
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed.

Benefits Summary:  

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year 
• 11 paid Holidays 
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
• Tuition Assistance Program 
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents 
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100% 
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting  

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].