JobsMercury Marine

Supplier Quality Engineer

Mercury Marine · Fond du Lac, WI

Posted Aug 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 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.

Behavioral

Walk me through a time you got a PPAP submission from a supplier that had gaps or issues. What did you do?

whether the candidate actually reviews PPAP substance versus rubber-stamping paperwork

Tell me about a supplier corrective action where the 8D looked fine on paper but you didn't believe the root cause was really fixed. What did you do next?

depth of root cause thinking versus just checking a box that a document was submitted

Describe a supplier audit you conducted where you found something serious enough to change your read on that supplier's capability.

real hands-on audit experience versus checklist familiarity

Tell me about a time a supplier pushed back hard on a corrective action you asked for. How did you handle that conversation?

comfort holding suppliers accountable while keeping the relationship workable

Tell me about a time you had to get engineering, procurement, and a supplier all aligned on a quality problem when they didn't agree on the cause or the fix.

cross-functional influence without formal authority

Technical

How do you read a GD&T callout on a print to figure out whether a supplier's dimensional report actually meets it?

actual fluency interpreting drawings, not just familiarity with the term GD&T

Say you're tracking PPM and audit scores across a group of suppliers. How would you decide which ones need a development plan versus which ones just need a nudge?

whether they can turn data into a prioritized, risk-based action plan rather than treating every issue the same

What's your experience with processes like aluminum casting, machining, or molding, and how has that shaped how you evaluate a supplier's process capability?

whether their process background matches the kind of suppliers Mercury actually uses

How do you use capability studies or SPC data to decide if a supplier's process is actually stable, not just producing good parts today?

statistical literacy and understanding of process control versus outcome-only thinking

Situational

A supplier ships a lot of castings that pass incoming inspection but you start seeing intermittent failures at final assembly downstream. How do you approach figuring out what's going on?

structured problem-solving instinct and whether they know to trace the process rather than just sort parts

You're leading APQP for a new outboard component and a key supplier is behind on their PFMEA and control plan two weeks before a readiness review. What do you do?

how they manage program risk and push back on suppliers without derailing a launch timeline

You get suspect material flagged on the production floor from a supplier lot. Walk me through what you do in the first few hours.

practical grasp of containment, sorting, and communication under production pressure

This role is about 30 percent travel to supplier sites, sometimes overnight. What has working directly on a supplier's floor taught you that you couldn't get from a report?

genuine appetite for on-site supplier work versus preferring a desk-bound version of the job

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Mercury Marine from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Mercury Marine.

Are you ready for what’s next?   Come explore opportunities within Brunswick, a global marine leader committed to challenging conventions and innovating next-generation technologies that transform experiences on the water and beyond.  Brunswick believes “Next Never Rests™,” and we offer a variety of exciting careers and growth opportunities within united teams defining the future of marine recreation.  Location: Fond du Lac, WI Workplace Category: Onsite Travel Required: Occasional; 30% Direct Reports: No Pay Range:  $73,600 – $106,200 Visa Sponsorship: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.  This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.   Relocation: Yes Innovation is the heart of Brunswick.  See how your contributions will help transform vision into reality: Drive Supplier Performance. Support Product Launches. Improve Quality Across a Global Supply Base. Position Overview:  As part of the Mercury Marine Supplier Quality team, the Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for developing, supporting, and improving supplier performance to ensure the consistent delivery of quality products that meet customer, engineering, and manufacturing requirements. This role partners closely with suppliers, manufacturing, engineering, procurement, and quality teams to support production operations, drive corrective actions, manage supplier quality performance, and ensure successful new product launches. The ideal candidate enjoys solving manufacturing and quality challenges, working directly with suppliers, supporting APQP and PPAP activities, and using data to identify risks and improvement opportunities. At Brunswick, we have passion for our work and a distinct ability to deliver.  Key Responsibilities: Supplier Quality & Production Support • Serve as a collaborative quality resource for suppliers and internal stakeholders. • Support timely resolution of supplier-related quality issues that impact production, delivery, or customer satisfaction. • Coordinate containment, inspection, sorting, and remediation activities for suspect material. • Communicate quality concerns, risks, corrective actions, and status updates to suppliers and internal teams. • Support manufacturing operations by helping maintain production continuity during supplier-related quality events. Corrective Action & Problem Solving • Evaluate supplier root cause analysis and corrective action plans to ensure they address both immediate and systemic causes. • Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D, A3, 5-Why, and Fishbone analysis. • Verify implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions to reduce recurrence. Supplier Development • Monitor supplier quality performance through PPM, defect trends, audit findings, and other key performance indicators. • Conduct supplier audits and assessments to evaluate capability, quality systems, and process controls. • Work directly with suppliers to improve quality, delivery, and process performance. • Develop and support supplier improvement plans to address identified risks and performance gaps. • Support risk-based supplier evaluation and development activities. New Product Launch Support • Lead APQP activities to ensure supplier readiness for new product introductions. • Review and approve PPAP submissions, including dimensional reports, PFMEAs, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, capability studies, and material certifications. • Collaborate with Engineering and Procurement teams to identify and mitigate supplier risks during product development. • Support supplier readiness reviews and production launch activities. Process & Quality Management • Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements. • Maintain supplier quality records, reporting, and performance metrics. • Support management of nonconforming material and MRB activities. • Analyze supplier performance data and provide recommendations to support continuous improvement initiatives. • Ensure compliance with applicable quality standards and business processes. Diversity of thought and experiences is fundamental when imagining the unimaginable. Certain skillsets/experiences are necessary; however, others can be developed along the way. Why This Role? • Work directly with a global supplier network supporting industry-leading marine products. • Influence supplier performance, product quality, and production success. • Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Quality leaders. • Gain exposure to a wide variety of manufacturing processes and technologies. • Support new product launches from development through production. • Travel to supplier facilities and work firsthand with manufacturing operations. • Play a critical role in preventing quality issues and improving customer satisfaction. Required Qualifications:    • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field. • 3+ years of experience in Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, or a related technical environment. • Experience with APQP, PPAP, Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Actions, and Quality Systems. • Ability to interpret engineering drawings and GD&T requirements. • Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, and project management skills. • Ability to effectively collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams. Preferred Qualifications:    • Experience in marine, automotive, powersports, aerospace, heavy equipment, industrial manufacturing, or engine component manufacturing. • Experience conducting supplier audits and supplier development activities. • Knowledge of SPC, DOE, capability analysis, and statistical methods. • Experience with aluminum casting, machining, forging, molding, or assembly processes. • ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or similar certification. • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification. Travel • This position requires occasional day and overnight travel to supplier locations, manufacturing facilities, and company locations, up to 30%. The hiring range for this position is $73,600 to $106,200 annually. The actual base pay offered will vary based on multiple factors including job-related knowledge/skills, relevant experience, business needs, and geographic location. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the specifics of the candidate’s qualifications and the business context. In addition to base pay, this position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. This position is eligible to participate in Brunswick's comprehensive and high-quality benefits offerings, including medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, 401k (up to 4% match), Health Savings Account (with company contribution), well-being program, product purchase discounts and much more. Details about our benefits can be found here. Why Brunswick:   Brunswick Corporation is a leader in the marine industry, and we’re looking for people just like you to take part in the movement towards better boating for all. We rely on the thoughtful input of people from all backgrounds to create compelling, innovative products for our customers around the globe. As such, diversity, equity, and inclusion are priorities in the enduring culture of our company. As a world leader in emerging recreational products and technologies, when you join our team, you become part of some of the most innovative, forward-looking brands in the marine industry today. About Mercury Marine: Headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Mercury Marine® is the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Mercury provides engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications. Mercury empowers boaters with products that are easy to use, extremely reliable and backed by the most dedicated customer support in the world. The company’s industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury outboard engines, Mercury MerCruiser® sterndrive and inboard packages, Mercury propellers, Mercury inflatable boats, Mercury SmartCraft® electronics, Land 'N' Sea marine parts distribution and Mercury and Quicksilver® parts and oils. More information is available at MercuryMarine.com. Next is Now!   We value growth and development, recognizing that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Brunswick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to innovation and inspiration and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.  If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact hrsharedservices@brunswick.com  for support.  For more information about EEO laws, - click here Brunswick Corporation participates in E-Verify as part of our commitment to a lawful and transparent hiring process. For additional information click here: https://www.brunswick.com/e-verify . Brunswick and Workday Privacy Policies Brunswick does not accept applications, inquiries or solicitations from unapproved staffing agencies or vendors. For help, please contact our support team at: hrsharedservices@brunswick.com or 866-278-6942. All job offers will come to you via the candidate portal you create when applying through a posted position through https:///www.brunswick.com/careers .  If you are ever unsure about what is being required of you during the application process or its source, please contact HR Shared Services at 866-278-6942 or HRSharedServices@brunswick.com . #Brunswick Corporation - Mercury Marine

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