Field Supplier Quality Engineer

About our group:

The Field Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) team plays a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and scalability of the company’s global supply chain. As part of the Global Quality organization, the team partners closely with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and operations to deliver high-performing supplier ecosystems that support new product introduction (NPI) and high-volume production.

This team is at the forefront of driving operational excellence by combining deep manufacturing expertise with advanced analytics, automation, and AI-driven quality solutions. As part of this group, you will have the opportunity to influence supplier strategy, elevate process capability, and shape the future of digital quality transformation across the supply base.

About the role - you will:

As a Field Supplier Quality Engineer, you will lead supplier quality strategy and execution, ensuring robust processes, strong supplier partnerships, and scalable quality systems.

You will:

· Lead end-to-end supplier qualification, onboarding, and periodic audits to ensure compliance with quality standards

· Drive supplier readiness for New Product Introduction (NPI) and scale-up to high-volume manufacturing

· Develop and implement supplier quality requirements, including material and process control plans, statistical process control (SPC) frameworks, and process validation criteria

· Build deep understanding of supplier manufacturing processes to enable fast, data-driven problem solving

· Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis -PFMEA)

· Drive continuous supplier performance improvements, focusing on yield, defect reduction, and process capability

· Partner with cross-functional teams (factory SQE, engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and operations) to align supplier quality strategies

· Collaborate with suppliers to deploy robust process controls, including SPC and PFMEA

· Champion digital transformation initiatives, including AI-enabled quality systems and analytics adoption

· Introduce and scale advanced inspection technologies such as machine vision, automated inspection, and anomaly detection

· Lead or support Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cost of poor quality

About you:

We’re looking for someone who is:

· A strong analytical thinker with a passion for solving complex manufacturing and quality challenges

· Effective at translating data into actionable insights and influencing decisions

· A confident communicator who can engage and influence suppliers and stakeholders at all levels

· Comfortable working in cross-functional and global environments

· Proactive, self-driven, and able to operate independently in a fast-paced setting

· Curious and adaptable, with an interest in emerging technologies such as AI and digital quality tools

· A collaborative leader who can drive alignment across technical and business teams

Your experience includes:

· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Materials, or related discipline)

· 5+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or process engineering

· Strong working knowledge of quality methodologies and tools (e.g., MSA, SPC, PFMEA, 8D)

· Experience supporting NPI and supplier ramp in manufacturing environments

· Familiarity with data analytics or AI tools, or demonstrated interest in applying them to quality engineering

· Experience working with precision manufacturing industries such as disk drives, semiconductors, or similar

· Weekly travel as required to support supplier engagements (regional and international)

· Fluent Japanese language 

Preferred:

· Experience applying predictive analytics for defect reduction or supplier risk management

· Background in AI-assisted inspection, automation, or computer vision technologies

· Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification

· Knowledge of ISO 9001 or equivalent quality management systems

Location:

Seagate's address in Tokyo, Japan, or any other place as instructed by Seagate.

This role will involve traveling 3 – 4 days per week to supplier sites in Japan, with some weeks potentially extending beyond that, depending on supplier needs and escalation activity. International travel to the USA meeting suppliers when required (once a quarter), around 4/5 days away for each trip.

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Travel: Up to 75%