Supplier Quality & Readiness Engineer

Parallel Systems is pioneering autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles designed to transform freight transportation by shifting portions of the $900 billion U.S. trucking industry onto rail. Our innovative technology offers cleaner, safer, and more efficient logistics solutions. Join our dynamic team and help shape a smarter, greener future for global freight. Supplier Quality & Readiness Engineer As a Supplier Quality & Readiness Engineer, you will own purchased parts from sourcing award through steady-state production as we build our vehicles and the factory to produce them at volume. You will work closely with Procurement, Design Engineering and Manufacturing to qualify and launch new suppliers so parts are ready before the line needs them. Then you will keep those suppliers in control by catching problems at the source, driving root cause and corrective action, and raising the capability of the supply base. As an early employee at a fast-moving startup, you will help shape how Parallel builds and manages its supply base. Responsibilities: Assess and qualify new suppliers with Procurement, covering capability, quality system, capacity, and operational and financial risk Run APQP with each supplier, including timing plans, design and process FMEAs, control plans and gated readiness reviews Drive PPAP (or FAI to AS9102 where applicable) to approval by reviewing submissions, witnessing first-article builds and dispositioning gaps Lead run-at-rate and capacity verification at supplier sites to prove they can meet the production ramp Track tooling, gauge and fixture build and buy-off, and confirm tooling ownership and identification Feed supplier design-for-manufacturing and tolerance feedback to Design Engineering before release Maintain a part-level readiness tracker and report status and risk at program build gates Own supplier quality performance for an assigned commodity portfolio (e.g., machined and fabricated structures, castings, electrical harnesses, battery and power electronics, motors and drivetrain) Lead the response to nonconforming material, including containment, MRB disposition, 8D / root cause and verification that corrective actions work Issue and manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) and drive them to closure on time Run supplier process and quality-system audits on site and close out findings Define incoming inspection plans, sampling levels and acceptance criteria with receiving inspection Track and report supplier scorecards (PPM, SCAR cycle time, cost of poor quality) and escalate at-risk suppliers Approve supplier change requests (process, material, site, sub-tier) and require re-validation where needed Lead supplier development projects to improve process capability (Cpk), error-proofing and control plans What Success Looks Like: After 30 Days: You’ve reviewed every open part, taken over the readiness tracker, and learned our process for nonconforming parts and SCARs. Your tracker covers every assigned part, and you’ve visited 3–5 critical suppliers. After 60 Days: You’re running APQP reviews with every critical new supplier and have set a PPAP timeline for each part. You own corrective actions for your portfolio, your first supplier scorecard is out, at least 2 audits are complete, and SCARs older than 30 days are cut in half. After 90 Days: Your first PPAP approvals have landed in time for the next build gate, and at least one critical supplier has proven it can build at rate. A monthly scorecard is running, and no parts in your portfolio have stopped the line. Basic Qualifications: BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing or Materials Engineering, or equivalent experience 5+ years of experience in supplier quality, supplier development or new-product introduction in automotive, rail, aerospace, heavy equipment or a similar regulated industry Hands-on experience running APQP and approving PPAP or FAI packages Experience with structured problem solving, including 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa and fault-tree analysis Working knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC and process capability studies Proficient in reading engineering drawings and GD&T and judging manufacturability Experience leading supplier audits against ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 Strong program management skills, including timing plans, risk tracking and cross-functional reviews Willing to travel to supplier sites roughly 30–50% of the time, with heavier travel during launches Preferred Qualifications: ASQ CQE or CQA certification, Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, or PMP Experience launching a new factory or new vehicle program, or working through a rapid production ramp Process knowledge in one or more of machining, fabrication and welding, castings, injection molding, wire harness, or battery cells and modules Experience with rail standards (ISO/TS 22163 / IRIS, AAR M-1003) or EV high-voltage components Familiarity with a QMS or ERP system for NCR and SCAR tracking We are committed to providing fair and transparent compensation in accordance with applicable laws. Salary ranges are listed below and reflect the expected range for new hires in this role, based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and location. Final compensation may vary and will be determined during the interview process. The target hiring range for this position is listed below. Target Salary Range: $112,000 — $138,000 USD Parallel Systems is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any discriminatory factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. We work to build an inclusive environment in which all people can come to do their best work. Parallel Systems is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Parallel Systems will ensure that pers