Jobs › Plexus

Senior Supplier Quality Engineer - Space

Plexus · Neenah, WI · $77,400–$116,000 a year · Full time

Posted Nov 5, 2025 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a supplier escape that reached your production floor. How did you contain it and find the root cause?

What they are checking: Whether they contain first, then dig into cause methodically, and follow through until the supplier's fix is proven.

Describe a time you had to push a supplier to improve who didn't think they had a problem.

What they are checking: Whether they use data and persistence to drive change without damaging a supplier relationship the business still needs.

Tell me about a time you had to explain a supplier quality issue to a customer or government source inspector.

What they are checking: Whether they communicate openly with customers, since hiding problems in aerospace damages trust far more than the problem itself.

How do you mentor less experienced quality engineers on space program requirements?

What they are checking: Whether a senior engineer will spread hard-won knowledge so the team doesn't depend on one person.

What would you do

A supplier makes an undisclosed change to their process and the parts still pass inspection. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they treat unapproved changes as serious in space programs, even when the parts appear fine today.

The program is behind schedule and asks you to accept parts with a minor nonconformance. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they follow the material review and customer approval process instead of bending under schedule pressure.

About the work

What makes supplier quality for space hardware different from supplier quality for industrial or commercial products?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that space parts can't be repaired after launch, which raises the bar on every process and inspection.

Walk me through how you'd run a first article inspection under AS9102 for a new supplier part.

What they are checking: Whether they've actually done FAIs and know what a complete package looks like, not just the acronym.

How do you audit a supplier's special processes, such as plating, conformal coating or soldering?

What they are checking: Whether they know special processes can't be fully verified by final inspection, so the process itself must be controlled.

How do you guard against counterfeit electronic parts entering the supply chain for a space program?

What they are checking: Whether they know counterfeit-avoidance controls, traceability and authorized-source rules that space customers expect.

How do you use supplier scorecards and data to decide where to spend your audit time?

What they are checking: Whether they focus limited time on the riskiest suppliers rather than auditing everyone on the same calendar.

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The full job description

As published by Plexus.

About us: At Plexus, our vision is to help create the products that build a better world. Driven by a passion for excellence, we partner with leading Aerospace/Defense, Healthcare/Life Sciences and Industrial companies to design, manufacture and service some of the world’s most transformative products, including advanced surgical systems, diagnostic instruments, healthcare imaging equipment, mission critical aerospace systems, and electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Visit Plexus.com to learn more about our unwavering commitment to our vision. When we invest in our people, we invest in building a better world. With a vision rooted in the wellbeing and inclusive engagement of our team members, our customers, their end users and our communities, people are the heart of what we do and who we are. It is our values that unite us and guide us in everything that we do, including how we operate, behave and interact to foster a workplace where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. Our values include: Growing our People, Building Belonging, Innovating Responsibly, Delivering Excellence and Creating Customer Success. As a team member, you will engage in impactful work through global collaboration and the use of emerging technologies, join an inclusive culture where every team member is valued and working toward a greater purpose, and be empowered to reach your full potential through various development programs designed to accelerate your growth. Plexus offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support team members' wellbeing, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement savings, and opportunities for professional development. We also prioritize work-life balance and offer a variety of perks to enhance the team member experience. For more information, visit our US benefits website at usbenefits.plexus.com . Our commitment to pay range transparency fosters an equitable workplace, where everyone can feel valued. The annual compensation range for this position is stated below. The salary offered within this range will be based upon the geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level. Salary Range: $77,400.00 - $116,000.00 Purpose Statement: The Sr Supplier Quality Engineer drives the organization's Zero Defect Strategy and continual improvement into the supply base for both compliance and risk mitigation within operations in complex programs or key customers. This role will represent the supplier quality function to customers, external auditors and internal teams for all incoming raw material and services. This role is a key technical and indirect leadership assignment that will apply fundamentals of quality in order to influence suppliers in meeting or exceeding expectations. Key Job Accountabilities: • Leads supplier qualification as a key member in supplier selection and evaluation teams using a risk based approach. Leads supplier audits applying effective auditing practices and the Quality Management System in both new programs and ongoing management of suppliers. • Manages purchased product specifications to identify Critical to Quality features and complete part qualification activities using different elements of Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) to flow requirements from Customers into the supply base. Connects part qualification activities into receiving inspection setting both sampling plans and inspection criteria. Represents Supplier Quality in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) teams and supplier change requests as a key member driving Zero Defect strategies into the supply chain. • Leads supplier corrective action activities in multiple levels of the supply chain using non-conforming parts, data trends and supplier audit findings. Analyzes data to identify trends and provide suppliers feedback to drive supplier performance improvements. Assists in categorization of suppliers by risk for additional development or auditing activities. • Applies expertise in assigned engineering function to challenge suppliers processes using a risk based approach and complete detailed design for manufacturability reviews with customers. Capable of leading design reviews, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans (CP) and statistical process controls (SPC) applied to selected manufacturing technologies. • Assists in guiding or shaping future Supplier Quality Strategies and supports development of Supplier Quality Engineers in both technical growth and supplier quality fundamentals. Applies domain depth to standard operating procedures, work instructions, and templates to improve standard work and operational rigor within function. Education/Experience Qualifications: • Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or equivalent work experience. • ASQ Certification preferred (CQE, CQA, CMQOE) • Broad understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies and processes. This document does not represent a contract of employment and is not intended to capture every possible assignment the incumbent could be asked to perform. We are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities or special requirements. If you need an application accommodation, please contact us by email at GHQ.TA@plexus.com . Please include your contact information and clearly describe how we can help you. This email is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Some offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a drug screen and/or background check.

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