Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) – Verbundwerkstoffe (Blätter / Gondel / Nabenabdeckungen)

Job Description

We are a global renewable energy technology company expanding our manufacturing and supplier quality footprint in Brazil.

We are seeking an experienced Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) with strong expertise in composite manufacturing and supplier quality management to support critical wind turbine components sourced from Brazilian suppliers.

This is a highly operational, supplier-facing role requiring strong technical capability, quality discipline, supplier development experience, and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural business environment.

The successful professional will play a critical role in ensuring supplier capability, process robustness, product compliance, and continuous improvement across strategic manufacturing partners.

Primary Commodities in Scope

This position will support supplier quality activities related to:

• Wind turbine blades
• Nacelle covers
• Hub covers

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality Management

• Lead supplier qualification, audits, capability assessments, and development initiatives
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing readiness and process robustness
• Support supplier approval for new product introduction and serial production
• Drive containment actions, corrective actions, and supplier improvement plans
• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs, audits, and structured quality reviews
• Escalate supplier quality risks appropriately

Quality Engineering

• Ensure compliance with technical specifications, internal quality standards, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Conduct structured root cause investigations using methodologies such as 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, FMEA, and fault tree analysis
• Support PPAP / FAI / process capability reviews where applicable
• Review supplier control plans, inspection criteria, test documentation, and quality records
• Support NCR management and issue resolution

Composite Manufacturing Oversight

Evaluate and support manufacturing processes involving:

• Vacuum-assisted resin infusion
• Hand layup
• Composite curing processes
• Filament winding
• Structural bonding
• Surface finishing
• Dimensional inspection
• Defect detection and prevention
• Composite NDT inspection methods

Assess supplier controls related to:

• material traceability
• process discipline
• manufacturing capability
• defect prevention systems
• inspection robustness
• production quality maturity

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with:

• Supplier Quality
• Engineering
• Sourcing / Procurement
• Manufacturing
• Project teams
• Supplier leadership teams

Communicate technical risks, supplier concerns, and quality performance clearly to stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in:

• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• or other relevant technical disciplines related to composites manufacturing

Postgraduate education in composites, quality, manufacturing, or related areas is a plus.

Professional Experience

Strong proven experience in supplier quality engineering within industrial manufacturing environments.

Experience in one or more of the following industries is highly desirable:

• Wind energy
• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Marine
• Advanced composites manufacturing

Experience with:

• supplier qualification
• supplier audits
• supplier development
• process validation
• industrial quality systems
• issue resolution in manufacturing environments

Experience supporting Brazilian suppliers is highly desirable.

Technical Requirements

Quality Systems & Methodologies

Strong practical knowledge of:

• Supplier Quality Management
• ISO 9001
• APQP
• PPAP
• FMEA
• SPC
• MSA
• NCR management
• Process capability analysis
• Root cause analysis methodologies
• Audit execution

Knowledge of APQP4Wind is considered a strong advantage.

Composite Manufacturing Expertise

Knowledge of:

• composite manufacturing processes
• fiberglass / carbon fiber systems
• resin technologies
• curing processes
• defect mechanisms
• structural quality inspection
• dimensional quality controls
• composite NDT methods

Standards & Regulatory Knowledge

Familiarity with applicable standards such as:

• IEC 61400
• ASTM composite standards
• ISO quality standards
• ABNT standards
• supplier quality frameworks

Systems & Tools

Experience with:

• SAP (preferred)
• ERP / quality documentation systems
• Microsoft Office
• Power BI (desirable)

Certifications (Desirable)

Examples include:

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor
• Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt
• NDT certifications relevant to composite manufacturing
• other equivalent technical certifications

Professional engineering registration (CREA), where applicable, is considered a plus.

Language Requirements

• Portuguese: Fluent
• English: Advanced / Fluent (required)

English will be required for technical communication and interaction with internal stakeholders.

Professional Profile

We are looking for professionals with:

• strong analytical capability
• technical rigor
• supplier management maturity
• negotiation and influencing skills
• structured problem-solving mindset
• autonomy and accountability
• adaptability in multicultural environments
• resilience in dynamic operational settings
• strong commitment to safety, compliance, and quality excellence

Travel & Mobility

This role requires:

• primary physical presence in Camaçari, Bahia
• regular supplier-site engagement
• frequent domestic travel to supplier locations in South and Southeast Brazil

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to play a strategic role in strengthening supplier quality capability within one of the world's most dynamic renewable energy manufacturing environments.

You will work on technically complex products, strategic suppliers, and cross-functional quality initiatives with significant business impact.