Job Description
How does it feel to work on a team driven to make a big impact? Empowering.
BAE Systems is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Supplier Readiness & Reliability Engineer to join our team. As a key member of our organization, you will play a critical role in ensuring that our suppliers meet and sustain the required standards for quality, reliability, and performance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in continuous improvement, manufacturing engineering and/or industrial engineering, with experience in process engineering. If selected, you will be responsible for driving supplier excellence and reliability through proactive risk management, continuous improvement, and collaborative engagement with both our suppliers and internal stakeholders. This role requires excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment. Unlike a standard Supplier Quality Engineer who may focus heavily on inspection and compliance, the Supplier Readiness & Reliability Engineer specifically focuses on systemic improvement and coaching suppliers on methodologies that drive operational excellence, quality, on-time delivery, and reliability.
Responsibilities:
BAE Systems is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Supplier Readiness & Reliability Engineer to join our team. As a key member of our organization, you will play a critical role in ensuring that our suppliers meet and sustain the required standards for quality, reliability, and performance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in continuous improvement, manufacturing engineering and/or industrial engineering, with experience in process engineering. If selected, you will be responsible for driving supplier excellence and reliability through proactive risk management, continuous improvement, and collaborative engagement with both our suppliers and internal stakeholders. This role requires excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment. Unlike a standard Supplier Quality Engineer who may focus heavily on inspection and compliance, the Supplier Readiness & Reliability Engineer specifically focuses on systemic improvement and coaching suppliers on methodologies that drive operational excellence, quality, on-time delivery, and reliability.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement supplier readiness and reliability plans to ensure compliance with quality, on-time delivery, and performance standards
- Identify and mitigate supplier-related risks through proactive engagement and analysis
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging Operational Excellence (OE) guiding principles, Process Engineering, and Waste Identification and Elimination techniques
- Participate in New Product Development (NPD) to ensure Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles are met and support Product Risk Management activities.
- Develop and review key quality and reliability documents, including:
- Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) to visualize and understand complex manufacturing processes
- Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to identify and mitigate potential failures
- Control Plans to ensure effective process controls and monitoring
- Develop and document standard work for suppliers and ensure the use of statistical process control (SPC) to monitor and maintain process stability
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to educate and coach suppliers on OE practices, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
- Provide training and hands-on problem-solving support to team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing
- Directly support the Supplier Oversight and Support function, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives
- Utilize excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills to effectively manage multiple priorities and stakeholders
State/Province
Kentucky
Salary Max Point
182510
Clearance Level – Must be able to obtain for position
Confidential
Shift
1st Shift
Union Job
None
Business Area
Combat Mission Systems
City
Louisville
Job Posting Title
Supplier Readiness and Reliability Engineer / Supplier Development
Required Skills and Education
- Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, and six years of related experience, or the overall equivalent
- At least three years of experience specific to manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or a related field, with a focus on process improvement and supplier readiness
- Able to support travel of up to 75% to engage with suppliers at their location
- Experience with Operational Excellence (OE) principles, Process Engineering, and lean tools
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive insights
- Practical experience with quality management systems, including proficiency in core quality and continuous improvement tools and methodologies such as A3, DMAIC, FMEA, APQP, PPAP, SPC, TPM, VSM, Kanban, and GD&T, as well as lean manufacturing principles and techniques like 5S and Value Stream Mapping
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and stakeholders to drive results
- Skilled trainer and facilitator
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Familiarity with industry-specific regulations and standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, Business Continuity (BCM))
About BAE Systems Platforms & Services Posting
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.
The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.
Company
130_BAE Systems Land&Armaments LP
Postal Code
40214
Regular or Temporary
Regular
Posting Requirements
Internal/External
Department
32QA_P&S CMS Quality Assurance
Country
United States
Job Family
Quality Eng
Preferred Skills and Education
- Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification from an accredited certifying organization with practical experience
- Understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, protective coatings, etc.) and material handling systems commonly used in aerospace and defense or complex manufacturing environments
- Practical experience using the Toyota Production System (TPS) problem solving methodology
- Understanding of supply chain methodologies
- Practical experience with industry-specific regulations and standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, BCM)
Salary Min Point
107359
Travel Percentage
75%+
U.S. Person Required
Yes
Typical Education and Experience
Typically a Bachelor's Degree and 6 years work experience or equivalent experience
Job Category
Supply Chain & Logistics
Physical location of the job
Full-time remote
U.S. Citizenship Required
Yes