Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer

Archer is an aerospace and defense company headquartered in San Jose, California, building the aircraft and technology that will define the next era of flight. The company works across air taxis, UAS, AI and powertrain development — building real-world systems that combine software intelligence with physical hardware. That includes Midnight, Archer's all-electric air taxi; Halo, an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft built for both commercial and defense use; and ZEE, Archer's AI foundation model built specifically for aviation. We’re seeking exceptional engineers, operators and builders to join us on our mission to build the future of aerospace and defense.

Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.

About the Role

Archer is looking for an experienced Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer to be based on-site at one of our key supplier partners in Europe. In this role, you will be the primary supporting quality presence embedded with the supplier, conducting quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) activities across composite and/or structural component manufacturing. This role is well suited to a quality or supplier quality engineer with an aerospace background, though candidates with a strong composites background from automotive or other advanced-manufacturing industries are also encouraged to apply. Primary experience should be in composites and/or structures.

What You'll Do

• Perform supplier quality oversight activities at the supplier site, including source inspection, process audits, and First Article Inspection (FAI), for composite and/or structural components.
• Serve as the on-site quality point of contact between the supplier and Customer’s Supplier Quality, Engineering, and Program Management teams.
• Review and disposition nonconforming material, drive containment actions, and verify the effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Apply quality assurance principles — and, where appropriate, technical integrity oversight — to ensure customer and Archer requirements are clearly understood, and that quality control mechanisms are in place to provide assurance that the part, assembly, and/or service delivers as designed and required.
• Support the development of project and/or business-stream quality strategies and plans, and the delivery and implementation of measurement frameworks, programs, and actions across the scope of services and the full project lifecycle.
• Lead and/or support quality investigations, root cause analysis (RCA), and corrective action (CA) activities to resolve nonconformances and improve product and process performance.
• Conduct and/or support specific investigations and reporting on quality-related issues as required.

What You Bring (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of proven experience in Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Quality Engineering within a complex manufacturing environment, with primary experience in composites and/or structures. Aerospace background preferred; strong composites experience from automotive or other advanced-manufacturing industries will also be considered.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 / ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Familiarity with quality tools and techniques, including Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), Process Mapping, and First Article Inspection (FAI).
• Working knowledge of quality methodologies including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, 8D, and supplier auditing techniques.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate facts, and to work to plans, programs, and budgets.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to see issues through to completion.
• Ability to build relationships and influence effectively across a multi-discipline team.
• Willingness and ability to be based on-site at a supplier facility in Europe, with domestic and/or international travel as needed.

Desired Experience

• Direct experience with composite manufacturing processes (e.g., layup, bagging, curing/autoclave, bonding, machining, non-destructive inspection/NDI) and associated defect types, or with structural/metallic special processes relevant to high-integrity engineered components.
• Experience driving business improvement and leading change within a supplier or manufacturing organization.
• Demonstrated ability to challenge existing methods and ways of thinking while working effectively within a multi-discipline team.
• Prior experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and design changes, including drawing reviews, technical clarifications, and manufacturability assessments.
• Experience evaluating supplier capacity, readiness, and industrialization scaling from low-rate to higher-rate production.
• Familiarity with PLM/ERP systems for managing bills of materials (BOMs) and maintaining traceability.