Sr. Supplier Process Engineer

Primary Function of Position
Responsible for ensuring suppliers meet ISI requirements for quality service delivery and cost.
Drive both suppliers and internal teams to continuously improve both manufacturing and business
processes. Evaluate and collaborate on supplier selection with cross functional partners. Support
both NPI and ongoing production by engaging with suppliers to improve supplier performance
monitor product and process performance scale-up production and work with design and
manufacturing teams to implement improvements. Lead and execute detailed supplier projects to
implement changes affecting product quality cost capacity risk mitigation/supply continuity and
integration of new manufacturing technologies.
The ideal candidate possesses a broad process experience in metal machining and/or plastic
Injection molding and extrusions and has the skills and experience to assess and develop
optimal supplier partners in these categories while mentoring others in this skillset.
Essential Job Duties
Partner with suppliers to execute cost reductions capacity improvements and risk
mitigation projects for high severity parts sole suppliers or proprietary materials.

Manage complex supplier changes including manufacturing process changes design
changes production optimization facility changes new equipment qualification and new
line validations.
Complete part qualification deliverables including: First Article Supplier pFMEA Process
Validations (IQ/OQ/PQ) Inspection Reports Gage R&R and Process Capability
Analysis and lead train and mentor suppliers through the process.
Participate in supplier selection process: selecting the right process and supplier for the
part considering long term fit and total cost of ownership.
Drive suppliers to continually improve their business and manufacturing process
performance to meet Intuitives requirements for supplier excellence using a collection of
best practices in project management Six Sigma Lean SPC and negotiation. Lead
these efforts at several suppliers simultaneously without managerial guidance.
Own and drive to closure supplier nonconformances from symptom through root cause
analysis to corrective action including Nonconformance Reports and SCAR
documentation.
Drive changes to ISI requirements as necessary by initiating and managing changes to
specifications and drawings through the Engineering Change Order process
Develop metrics for supplier part cost delivery quality capacity and capability and
continually drive for timely achievement of those metrics.
Provide effective and timely component inventory health information and
recommendations to management by creating and delivering data-driven supply base
information.
Review analyze and close customer complaints manufacturing variance requests and
first article inspections by judging risk analyses and justifications determining corrective
and preventive actions at suppliers. Look for opportunities with suppliers to eliminate
recurrence.
Effectively prioritize and advance multiple concurrent high priority projects. Effectively
integrate and distill communications across multiple teams for cohesive and unified
messaging both internally and externally. Create formal networks with key decision
makers and serve as external spokesperson for the organization.
Work with suppliers and ISI New Product Development/Introduction Engineering to:
o Create product supplier landscapes to determine launch readiness and report to
management

o Develop supplier ramp readiness plans by judging business risk based on
forecast supplier capacity quality performance and process capability.
o DFM by engaging suppliers early in development cycle to feedback
manufacturability improvements in the designs prior to production
o Influence and guide Engineering in choosing suppliers by determining selection
criteria for preferred suppliers and leading the team effort to evaluate preferred
suppliers
o Review analyze and close customer complaints manufacturing
nonconformances and first article inspections by judging risk analyses and
justifications

Qualifications :

Required Skills and Experience
Demonstrable knowledge in evaluating and challenging supplier technical quality and
business capabilities
Demonstratable knowledge of supplier part qualifications supplier change controls and
design controls
A proven history of implementing Lean/6 Sigma/SPC Programs at suppliers
Demonstrable knowledge of a wide range of manufacturing processes including
understanding of key input variables for quality cost and capacity (i.e. metal fabrication
plastics extrusions electronics and/or contract manufacturing)
Demonstratable knowledge of CAPA process (specifically containment root cause
analysis corrective/preventive actions)
Excellent Project Management skills and experience in influencing without formal
authority
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentations to upper-level
management
Excellent interpersonal skills and team building skills
Excellent analytical root-cause and problem-solving skills along with good judgment
Excellent knowledge of 21 CFR part 820 and ISO 13485 (experience in auditing suppliers
to these standards preferred)
Proficiency with Windows Word Excel ERP Information Systems (preferably SAP) and
PLM Systems (preferably Agile)

Required Education and Training
BS degree in Engineering or equivalent.
Minimum 8 years related experience in Supplier Quality Engineering and/or Supplier
Development or related field.
Working Conditions
Ability to travel to suppliers on an as needed basis domestic and international (approx
20%)
Preferred Skills and Experience
Experience with one or more of the following commodities is preferred: metal fabrication
plastics extrusions electronics and/or contract manufacturing.
Experience in the Medical Device industry is preferred
Experience with GD&T tolerance stack and CAD experience with 3D modeling tools is a
plus
Ability to read and interpret detailed mechanical drawings (GD&T) and communicate
technical information
Proven ability to work alongside Design Engineering and assess supplier capability
during the design iteration process
Experience with statistical analysis software such as Minitab is a plus

Additional Information :

Due to the nature of our business and the role please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race sex pregnancy sexual orientation gender identity national origin color age religion protected veteran or disability status genetic information or any other status protected under federal state or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 743.13(b)) some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employeeswho are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the governments licensing process can take 3 to 6 months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (TCP) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employeesstart date which may or may not be flexible and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside or plan to reside in Alabama Arkansas Delaware Florida Indiana Iowa Louisiana Maryland Mississippi Missouri Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina or Tennessee.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages inclusive of base pay incentives benefits and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role as actual pay will be determined based on several factors including experience skills and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time