Jobs › Plexus

Supplier Quality Engineer

Plexus · Buffalo Grove, IL · $64,200–$96,200 a year · Full time

Posted Jul 23, 2026 · 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 the suppliers you have managed for quality. What kinds of parts and processes?

What they are checking: Whether their experience covers electronics, machined parts or other supply relevant to Plexus builds.

Tell me about a time you helped a supplier improve, not just reject their parts.

What they are checking: Whether they develop suppliers as partners to reduce long-term risk.

What would you do

A supplier ships a batch of defective parts that stops production. What do you do first and then over the next weeks?

What they are checking: Whether they contain the problem quickly and then drive real corrective action at the supplier.

A supplier pushes back and says the defect is your fault. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can resolve disputes with data while keeping the supplier relationship workable.

How do you work with purchasing when quality and cost goals conflict?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance quality risk against cost pressure and find agreement.

About the work

Walk me through how you qualify a new supplier.

What they are checking: Whether they use audits, PPAP or first article and data to approve a supplier properly.

How do you run a supplier audit, and what do you look for that a checklist might miss?

What they are checking: Whether they audit with judgment and spot real process risks on the supplier's floor.

What do you know about counterfeit electronic parts, and how would you prevent them from getting in?

What they are checking: Whether they understand a real risk for aerospace and medical electronics supply chains.

How do you measure supplier performance, and what do you do with a poor performer?

What they are checking: Whether they use scorecards to drive improvement and know when to escalate.

How do you handle a supplier's change to their process or material?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that unannounced supplier changes can break validated regulated products.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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: $64,200.00 - $96,200.00 Purpose Statement: The purpose of the Supplier Quality Engineer I role is to assist in driving Plexus Zero Defect Strategies and continual improvement into the supply base for both compliance and risk mitigation within Plexus Operations. This role may have a limited scope and will support representing the supplier quality function to Customers, external auditors and internal teams for all incoming raw material and services. Supplier Quality is a key technical and indirect leadership function that will apply fundamentals of quality in order to influence suppliers in meeting or exceeding expectations. Key Job Accountabilities: • Supplier Qualification - Support supplier qualification as a team member in supplier selection and evaluation using a risk based approach. Assist in supplier audits applying good auditing practices and our Quality Management System (QMS) in both new programs and on-going management of suppliers. • Part Qualification - Connect part qualification activities into receiving inspection setting both sampling plans and inspection criteria. Use 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. Support Supplier Quality in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) teams and supplier change requests as an influential member driving Zero Defect strategies into the supply chain. • Supplier Management - Lead supplier corrective action activities in multiple levels of the supply chain using non-conforming parts, data trends and supplier audit findings. Assist in analysis of data to identify trends and provide suppliers feedback to drive supplier performance improvements. Assist in categorization of suppliers by risk for additional development or auditing activities. • Engineering Expertise - Apply technical aptitude to challenge suppliers processes using a risk based approach. The approach may include design reviews, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans (CP) and statistical process controls (SPC) applied to selected manufacturing technologies. Education/Experience Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree with 1 or more years of related experience is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience will be considered. Other Qualifications: • 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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