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Archer · 2 weeks ago

Senior Manager, Supplier Industrialization Engineering

San Jose, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$154K/yr - $192K/yr

8+ years exp

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. They are seeking a Senior Manager of Supplier Industrialization Engineering & Quality to solve urgent supplier issues while building long-term systems and processes for production quality. The role involves hands-on problem solving, supplier readiness management, and team development within a fast-paced environment.

AerospaceAir TransportationElectric VehicleManufacturing

No H1B

Responsibilities

Manage and oversee critical supplier issues impacting pre-production aircraft readiness, hitting the ground running from day one

Drive and coordinate structured problem-solving (8D, RCCA, PFMEA updates) to ensure parts and assemblies meet engineering, safety, and airworthiness requirements

Supervise continuity of aircraft build flow by removing supplier roadblocks and enabling smooth delivery of hardware to the build line

Transform daily issues into actionable insights, conducting read-across analyses to anticipate similar risks in adjacent components, suppliers, and aircraft variants

Develop, approve, and maintain real-time dashboards for leadership highlighting systemic risks, repeat issues, and emerging patterns

Manage and refine manufacturability criteria and engineering requirements to ensure designs are ready for production at rate

Oversee supplier audit frameworks aligned with AS9100, AS9145, APQP, and Archer’s internal quality and industrialization standards

Create and supervise Supplier Selection Heat-Maps incorporating technical capability, capacity, historical quality, financial stability, and readiness level to accelerate decision-making during Technical Reviews

Lead and coordinate cross-functional Technical Review Boards (TRBs), providing data-backed recommendations that strengthen design-for-manufacture (DFM), tooling readiness, and production scalability

Approve and establish systematic Supplier Industrialization Plans covering process validation, tooling maturity, equipment qualification, materials control, and manpower readiness

Serve as a high-performing individual contributor while managing, mentoring, and developing a world-class SIEQ team

Supervise and elevate existing engineers and analysts, enhancing technical capability, problem-solving rigor, and supplier management expectations

Define, manage, and coordinate organizational structure, staffing needs, and competency expectations for a scalable supplier industrialization and quality function

Act as a cultural leader, overseeing Archer’s transition from an R&D fast-prototype environment to an OEM mindset focused on repeatability, stability, and production quality

Champion and approve mass-production fundamentals: APQP, PPAP, process capability, run-at-rate validations, control plan maturity, and launch readiness gates

Qualification

Supplier Quality ManagementManufacturing EngineeringNPI Program LeadershipAS9100D StandardsAPQPPFMEAControl PlansProcess ValidationTeam DevelopmentAnalytical MindsetCommunication SkillsProblem-Solving

Required

8–15 years of experience in Supplier Quality, Supplier Industrialization, Manufacturing Engineering, or NPI program leadership—preferably in aerospace, EV, automotive, high-precision manufacturing, or complex electromechanical products

Strong understanding of AS9100D, AS9145, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and process validation requirements

Demonstrated experience managing supplier readiness, overseeing scalable manufacturing processes, and supporting hardware builds in a fast-paced environment

Ability to balance hands-on issue resolution with strategic system building

Experience building or transforming teams during high-growth or pre-production phases

Exceptional communication skills—capable of influencing technical leaders, VPs, and suppliers through data, clarity, and urgency

Highly analytical mindset with proficiency in dashboards, metrics, KPIs, and supplier performance models

A sense of ownership, urgency, and a passion for building systems that last