Supplier Development Engineer

About Vital Lyfe At Vital Lyfe, we are on a mission to solve global water scarcity by creating innovative, desalination systems. This is an opportunity to join a passionate, multidisciplinary team tackling one of the world’s most critical challenges Mission Build the supplier network behind a field deployable water system. Architect quality and reliability into the supply chain from day one and help turn a prototype into a product that can scale anywhere. What You’ll Do - Architect and implement core supplier management systems to ensure traceability, accountability, and quality control - Develop and scale a high performing, resilient supplier network aligned with cost, capacity, delivery, and quality targets - Lead supplier qualification, onboarding, and technical assessments, including DFM reviews, process flow validation, and QMS audits - Define and enforce technical and quality standards across new product introduction (NPI) and production - Partner with internal engineering teams to ensure suppliers fully understand and can meet tight part, assembly, and metrology requirements - Own the lifecycle of supplier issues from non-conformance reports (SDRs) to CAPAs, RTVs, and production quality investigations - Collaborate directly with vendors to solve recurring issues and drive process-level improvements - Conduct performance audits and risk reviews, implementing corrective actions where needed - Provide on-site technical support as needed to ensure supplier processes are dialed for manufacturability, stability, and spec compliance - Monitor supplier metrics and trend data to proactively mitigate risks and improve operational performance - Source and evaluate new suppliers with unique capabilities in materials, fabrication, and metrology - Build and enforce scalable supplier governance and escalation frameworks from scratch - Thrive in ambiguity build process where none exists, and push for excellence where it does What We're Looking For - Required: - Bachelor’s in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial or equivalent). - Hands on mindset: comfortable designing the process and also working with operators & equipment to validate and refine. - Strong problem solving skills, ability to operate in ambiguous/higher-growth environment, clear communicator across teams. - Experience in supplier quality, NPI, or manufacturing engineering in hardware, climate tech, or industrial systems - Familiarity with QMS tools and standards (e.g., ISO 9001, PPAP, FAI, Cpk, PFMEA) Preferred: - Excellent communication and problem solving skills in fast-paced, cross-functional environments - A track record of owning hard problems end-to-end and getting things done under real-world constraints - A builder’s mindset and a systems-level view of manufacturing - Experience in a hardware startup or mission-driven organization. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION) - Hands on work on development and production hardware. - Long periods of standing, crouching and walking. - Lifting up to 50 lbs. - Wearing required PPE (safety glasses, gloves, safety shoes) in production areas. Vital Lyfe will provide or reimburse required PPE, including safety shoes Why Join Vital Lyfe? - Work on high impact problems with global relevance - Help scale breakthrough technology in water security and climate resilience - Early ownership in a high growth, engineering led startup - Join a tight knit, mission driven team in a fast paced environment - Build long term career equity as we grow Location Requirement: Ability to work 100% onsite in Torrance, CA (remote or hybrid work will not be considered) Vital Lyfe is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vital Lyfe is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.