Quality Engineer, NPI (Copy)

Description

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives across all commodities, developing innovative strategies that drive cost-effective procurement from New Product Introduction (NPI) through prototype and production scale-up, ensuring programs launch and scale efficiently.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and customers to ensure seamless acquisition of materials and services, maintaining transparency and collaboration throughout complex, fast-paced programs.
• Identify, qualify, and onboard suppliers that meet engineering, DoD, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements, while expanding Firestorm’s global supplier network to improve capacity, resiliency, and performance.
• Ensure sourcing activities comply with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, NIST 800-171, and internal policies, while supporting internal and external audits, including DCAA/DCMA reviews, supplier quality audits, and cybersecurity assessments.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product, and business development teams to align sourcing strategies with the product roadmap, forecasted demand, and future revenue streams, ensuring all programs meet business, technical, and financial goals.
• Analyze supplier data, conduct market research, and benchmark industry best practices to identify opportunities for expanding the Approved Supplier List and improving the supply base.
• Support engineering and operations in identifying and qualifying suppliers for specialized technologies, additive manufacturing, and advanced hardware systems, contributing to R&D procurement and prototype builds.
• Manage the full RFP process, evaluate proposals, negotiate commercial terms and contracts, create award recommendations, and establish agreements that optimize cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Monitor and manage supplier performance across quality, cost, and delivery, proactively mitigating risks and escalating issues to maintain mission-critical program timelines and meet strict production schedules.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by implementing procedural enhancements, standardizing sourcing processes, and identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, quality, and supplier engagement across programs.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience interfacing with DCAA, DCMA, or other U.S. Government oversight agencies.
• Ability to learn quickly, apply new concepts accurately, and manage evolving priorities.
• Exposure to additive manufacturing, automation, or advanced hardware environments.
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, cost reduction, and supplier performance management.
• Clear and professional communication with technical and non-technical users
• Manufacturing or quality management experience.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
• Knowledge of forecasting tools, procurement analytics, and market benchmarking.
• Hands-on experience sourcing and procuring commodities for domestic and international production builds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and U.S. Government acquisition regulations.
• Experience supporting R&D procurement and prototype builds.
• 5+ years of progressive supply chain or sourcing experience in a manufacturing or technology environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, fast-paced operations in a dynamic environment
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and engineering BOMs.
• This role requires frequent travel; up to 35% within a calendar year.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) and Product Lifecycle Change Management processes.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, business or a related field
• Experience in an early-stage tech or startup environment
• International sourcing experience (e.g., East or South Asia).
• 10+ years of sourcing or supply chain experience in aerospace, defense, or high-tech hardware industries.
• Understanding of supply chain risk management and supplier contingency planning.
• Ability to influence change and adapt processes as business needs evolve

Benefits

• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Critical Illness insurance
• Equity grants for new hires
• Accident insurance
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Generous Parental Leave
• We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• Unlimited PTO
• Hospital Indemnity insurance

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance