About the role
About Northwood : Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between earth and space and bring the
benefits of space to the masses through innovations in space communications technologies. If you like building quickly and seeing your work deployed in locations around the globe with real impact, we want you at Northwood. Role: We’re looking for a Lead, Supplier Quality Engineer to be Northwood’s first quality-focused hire - a builder, systems thinker, and technical leader who will define how we scale manufacturing excellence across our global supply chain. You will create Northwood’s supplier quality program from the ground up, partnering closely with engineering and operations to ensure our products are designed and built for long-term reliability. From designing scalable systems to defining rigorous standards, you’ll establish the foundation for a world-class supplier quality organization and cultivate a company-wide culture of quality and accountability. As Northwood grows, you’ll have the opportunity to build and lead a high-performing team, mentoring future engineers and shaping how high-reliability hardware moves from concept to production. You’ll influence how quality scales across our global supply base and how it becomes woven into every stage of development and delivery. This is a foundational, high-impact role - perfect for someone who loves creating structure from ambiguity, leading through influence, and leaving a lasting mark on both our culture and the future of space communications.
Responsibilities: Design and launch Northwood’s first supplier quality management system, from process design to documentation and continuous improvement Shape the supply base: Identify, qualify, and develop world-class suppliers for RF, PCBA, mechanical, and electromechanical components Lead audits, performance reviews, and corrective actions that elevate quality and delivery across our network Partner closely with design, manufacturing, and operations on DFM, NPI, and pilot builds - ensuring every part is production-ready Define supplier KPIs (quality, cost, responsiveness) and implement real-time visibility tools that drive accountability and progress Act as the technical and quality liaison between internal engineering and external suppliers - turning insights into scalable, repeatable success Drive supplier readiness for production ramp-ups and capacity expansions as Northwood grows around the world Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (NCR/CAPA) to eliminate defects and strengthen design for manufacturability Partner with suppliers on process improvements that cut costs, reduce cycle times, and maximize yields Establish quality
