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.