SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER/AUKUS

Supplier Quality Engineer

Develops, modifies, applies and maintains quality evaluation and control systems and protocols for processing materials into partially finished or finished materials product. Collaborates with engineering and manufacturing functions to ensure quality standards are in place. Devises and implements methods and procedures for inspecting, testing and evaluating the precision and accuracy of products and production equipment. Designs and analyzes inspection and testing processes, mechanisms and equipment; conducts quality assurance tests; and performs statistical analysis to assess the cost of and determine the responsibility for, products or materials that do not meet required standards and specifications. Audits quality systems for deficiency identification and correction. Ensures that corrective measures meet acceptable reliability standards and that documentation is compliant with requirements. May specialize in the areas of design, incoming material, production control, product evaluation and reliability, inventory control and/or research and development as they apply to product or process quality. May be certified in lean and six-sigma quality engineering methodologies.

Position Details

This position is in Adelaide, Australia, beginning in January 2027. Initial contract period is two years, with the possibility of annual renewals thereafter.

The Supplier Quality Engineer will partner with the AUKUS In‑Country Qualification Team in support of NNS to boost the Trilateral Supplier Industrial Base’s capability, capacity, and resilience in meeting the accelerating production rates of Virginia‑class and SSN AUKUS submarines.

An embedded US team enables rapid knowledge sharing, effective reach‑back actions, and a collaborative supplier assessment and development program. These pilots aim to qualify vendors in time to support construction of VCS submarines and SSN AUKUS. US Naval nuclear shipbuilders, Electric Boat and NNS are uniquely positioned to work with the Australian submarine enterprise to quickly identify, develop, and qualify Australian suppliers using VCS products and procedures.

Tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identify US SIB gaps and the path to meet the projected demand.
• Evaluate the AUS supply chain and its potential to close those gaps and meet the projected demand.
• Support a phased pilot manufacturing program with AUS suppliers to begin qualification of the AUS supply chain for VCS sustainment and AUKUS construction.
• Provide technical support to increase efficiency and expedite qualification timelines in the US supply base.
• Perform assessments to gauge a potential supplier's ability to meet Technical and Quality Management System requirements.
• Lead development of a detailed end‑to‑end supplier qualification process.
• Perform face-to-face meetings and onsite supplier visits, including such things as Supplier Technical Assessments (STAs), hold point inspections, test witnessing, and final product inspections.
• Assess the capabilities and challenges of potential suppliers.
• Develop the roadmap for full qualification of suppliers.
• Collaborate with suppliers in qualification efforts of each wave of pilots from purchase order placement to part delivery.
• Conduct regular supplier visits to status POAM progress.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree and 9 years of relevant exempt experience; 
Master’s Degree and 7 years of relevant professional experience; 
Ph.D. and 4 years of experience.

Newport News Shipbuilding requires a Bachelor's Degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the development/manufacturing of the Virginia Class Submarine (VCS).
• Working experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably including Quality Engineering.
• Familiarity with Supplier Quality roles and responsibilities within the Supply Chain material value stream.
• Certification as a (Supplier) Quality Auditor.
• Proven ability to plan, lead, conduct, and document Supplier Quality Audits.
• Working knowledge of Military Standards & Specifications.
• Experience reviewing/approving suppliers’ competencies versus procurement requirements.
• Experience in professional verbal and written communication with high-level officers of the Military, Government, Suppliers, and other organizations.
• Proficiency in providing written technical correspondence and assessments, including recommended actions.