Supplier Development Engineer

About the role

You own the end-to-end strategy for identifying, qualifying, and onboarding suppliers that convert innovative surgical device designs into manufacturable reality. You act as the primary engineering link between R&D concepts and a scalable supply base, ensuring that microelectronic and mechanical components meet stringent medical device standards. You analyze manufacturing processes such as injection molding, CNC machining, metal stamping, and additive manufacturing to assess true supplier capability. You negotiate and develop vendors while balancing cost, lead time, risk, and capacity to protect product launch schedules. You resolve technical supplier issues and drive corrective actions to ensure non-conformances do not reach production. You contribute directly to continuous improvement of NPI processes, accelerating speed-to-launch and improving supply continuity. You leverage AI and modern tooling to optimize sourcing decisions and solve complex engineering problems. You partner daily with Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations to de-risk supply early and ensure seamless design transfer.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Drive sourcing for new product introduction by identifying, evaluating, and qualifying suppliers for custom components, raw materials, and assemblies used in next-generation surgical devices.
• Partner with R&D and Design Engineering from project inception, translating technical drawings, specifications, and tolerances into clear sourcing strategies and manufacturable supplier requirements.
• Lead supplier selection and development by managing RFQs, conducting cost and lead-time analysis, performing capability assessments, negotiating terms, and onboarding new vendors.
• Drive component and material qualification in collaboration with Quality and Manufacturing, supporting first article inspection, PPAP/validation activities, and design transfer from prototype to production.
• Apply engineering judgment to manufacturing processes including injection molding, CNC machining, metal stamping, additive manufacturing, and PCBA to assess supplier capability and optimize for cost, quality, and manufacturability.
• Build and manage the supply base for new products, balancing risk, cost, lead time, and capacity while establishing supply agreements that scale with demand.
• Resolve supplier technical issues and non-conformances by working cross-functionally to close gaps, drive corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of sourcing and NPI processes, improving speed-to-launch, cost positioning, and supply continuity across the product portfolio.
• Evaluate emerging tooling and data platforms to enhance supplier selection, qualification, and performance monitoring in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborate with Operations to align production schedules, material flow, and capacity planning for new product launches.
• Interpret and challenge engineering assumptions related to materials, tolerances, and process constraints to ensure feasible and cost-effective sourcing strategies.
• Develop and maintain supplier documentation, including specifications, process flows, and risk assessments, to support audits and regulatory compliance.
• Partner with procurement to align purchasing strategies, leverage volume, and optimize total cost of ownership across the supply base.
• Track and report key supplier metrics, such as quality, on-time delivery, and lead time, to enable data-driven decisions and supplier development plans.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Materials, or related Engineering discipline.
• Possess 2+ years of experience in sourcing, supplier development, procurement, or manufacturing engineering supporting physical products, with candidates having more experience considered for a senior level.
• Demonstrate experience supporting new product introduction, bringing components or products from design through supplier qualification and into production.
• Show ability to read engineering drawings and specifications and understand the manufacturing processes behind precision components.
• Exhibit strong commercial skills, including comfort with running RFQs, analyzing cost and lead time, and negotiating with and developing suppliers.
• Default to AI and modern tooling in your everyday work and actively seek ways to apply it to sourcing and engineering problems.
• Possess familiarity with supplier qualification and quality requirements such as first article inspection, validation, and ISO 13485 expectations.
• Have experience with ERP/MRP and data systems, with familiarity with platforms such as Odoo or Snowflake being a plus.
• Demonstrate curiosity, an ownership mindset, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Thrive in a setting where supply chain decisions directly impact patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.
• Understand the importance of regulatory considerations in medical device sourcing and be willing to support compliance activities.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in written and verbal formats with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Be comfortable working independently and as part of a collaborative team committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• Have a proven track record of delivering results in a dynamic, growth-stage MedTech environment.
• Align with the company's commitment to innovation, quality, and improving surgical outcomes for patients worldwide.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with medical device manufacturing and regulatory requirements such as ISO 13485.
• Experience with ERP/MRP and data systems like Odoo or Snowflake.
• Background in microelectronics or precision mechanical component sourcing for medical devices.
• Experience supporting injection molding, CNC machining, metal stamping, additive manufacturing, or PCBA processes.

Practical notes

• This role is based in Bedford, MA.
• Engagement details are available in the source information.