Supplier Development Engineer, Special Processes

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts.

We recently raised $260 million dollar Series C to accelerate this mission. We are excited to be launching a new Factory in Mesa, Arizona, a 270,000 square foot facility that will create 350 new jobs immediately. We are opening a new headquarters to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to serve naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts.

Hadrian works with startups, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and major defense contractors across space, shipbuilding, and aviation to scale production, reduce costs, and accelerate delivery on mission-critical programs. We are backed by leading investors including Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz. Our fast-growing team is united by a shared mission to reindustrialize American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond!

The Role

The Supplier Development Engineer supports the supply chain team and global commodity strategy by driving process optimization, technology development and continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to drive world-class performance in quality, cost and delivery. The role engages with cross-functional teams to ensure supplier production capabilities and capacity exist to support NPI execution and readiness for business growth.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in industrial engineering and be passionate about manufacturing process improvement. A core element of being effective in the role will be influencing and gaining the respect of supplier executives; therefore, it will be critical to be able to articulate complex manufacturing concepts in a relatable way that gains buy-in and support.

What You'll Do

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Develop global supplier development systems and processes to support Hadrian supply chain.

• Own and manage supplier development activities, primarily for special process commodities (primarily surface finishing/coating).

• Create supplier capability and technology road maps in collaboration with commodity manager and supplier leadership.

• Act as primary technical liaison between suppliers and internal teams for assigned commodities owning the supplier side DFM process and communicating process capability and any associated risk to meeting customer requirements.

• Assess suppliers’ production capabilities, processes, facilities, workforce for inclusions on AVL and in commodity strategy.

• Streamline full value chain for lead time reduction and production optimization

• Conduct supplier diagnostic process to identify and remedy failure modes when supply continuity is at risk.

• Build trust and influence with supplier teams and be able to adapt communication and engagement styles to all levels of an organization.

• Own capacity assessments, monitoring and expansion at suppliers to support Hadrian demand and long-term forecast.

• Identify suppliers with potential for deep partnership

• Develop and own APQP process and ensure successful PPAP in co-operation with SQE.

• Support SQE with root cause analysis and be responsible for closing the loop on corrective and preventative actions.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline or equivalent practical experience.

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering or supply chain engineering (SQE, SDE, STM etc.)

• Expertise in various root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques with the ability to choose / recommend the appropriate tool for the situation.

• Proven capabilities in manufacturing process improvement through demonstrated excellence.

• Prior experience assessing supplier capabilities and influencing commodity managers / strategies.

• Can take complex solutions and simplify them into actionable insights for all levels of an organization

• Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and advanced metrology.

• Ability to travel domestically 40-50% of the time working in a shop floor environment.

What Will Set You Apart

• Deep knowledge of aerospace and defense surface finishing specifications, processes and technologies.

• Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification.

• Prior experience building a supplier development function and/or leading a supplier development team.

Compensation

For this role, the target salary range is $105,000 - $190,000 (actual range may vary based on experience).

This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees

• 401k

• Relocation stipend if you’re moving from outside of LA

• Flexible vacation policy

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.