Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. This architecture allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds; over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.

This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.

Cerebras works with the leading model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.

About the Role

We are looking for a hands-on Senior Supplier Quality Engineer to lead supplier qualification and quality performance for components, printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), subassemblies, and system-level products. This role is responsible for ensuring that new and existing suppliers have capable processes, effective quality systems, and the controls required to consistently meet technical, quality, delivery, and reliability expectations.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in supplier assessment, quality-system and process auditing, First Article Inspection (FAI), supplier corrective action, and manufacturing quality methods. Working closely with Strategic Sourcing, Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Operations, and suppliers, you will identify and reduce supplier risk throughout the product lifecycle.

The primary focus of this role is assessing and qualifying new suppliers, approving new parts and processes, monitoring supplier performance, and driving timely containment and permanent corrective action when requirements are not met.

Supplier Assessment and Qualification

• Lead the end-to-end assessment and qualification of new suppliers, including technical capability, quality systems, manufacturing controls, capacity, traceability, and overall risk.

• Plan and conduct supplier quality-system and process audits; document findings, assess risk, and drive corrective actions to closure before approval.

• Evaluate supplier process capability, special-process controls, inspection and test methods, calibration, sub-tier management, and change-control practices.

• Partner with Strategic Sourcing and Engineering to define qualification requirements, select suppliers, and make evidence-based approval decisions.

• Maintain supplier qualification records, audit results, risk ratings, and approved supplier status; establish surveillance or development plans when gaps remain.

NPI Supplier Readiness and First Article Approval

• Define supplier quality deliverables for new parts and NPI builds, including quality plans, inspection requirements, control plans, and production-readiness criteria.

• Review and approve First Article Inspection packages for completeness and compliance, including drawings, dimensional results, material and process certifications, and objective evidence.

• Drive APQP and PPAP activities where applicable, including PFMEA, process flow, control plans, MSA, capability studies, and validation of critical-to-quality characteristics.

• Verify supplier production readiness through on-site reviews, pilot-build support, and closure of open risks before release to volume production.

Supplier Performance and Quality Execution

• Serve as the primary quality interface for assigned suppliers and commodities, setting clear expectations, escalation paths, and accountability for quality performance.

• Monitor supplier scorecards and quality trends, including defect rates, PPM, escapes, on-time corrective action, audit findings, and repeat nonconformances.

• Establish risk-based incoming inspection and supplier surveillance plans; reduce inspection only after sustained evidence of process capability and performance.

• Support nonconformance disposition, deviations, material review, supplier change notifications, and qualification of process, tooling, site, or sub-tier changes.

SCAR and Corrective Action Leadership

• Issue and manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), ensuring rapid containment, clear problem definition, protected production, and disciplined execution according to agreed timelines.

• Lead and coach suppliers through rigorous root-cause analysis using 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, fault-tree analysis, and other appropriate methods; reject unsupported or symptom-based conclusions.

• Validate root causes, approve corrective and preventive actions, verify effectiveness with objective evidence, and drive systemic improvements that prevent recurrence across similar parts and processes.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and 7–10+ years of Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, or Manufacturing Quality experience supporting complex hardware products.

• Demonstrated experience assessing, auditing, qualifying, and developing suppliers across electronics, electromechanical, and mechanical commodities.

• Strong knowledge of quality-management systems and supplier auditing against ISO 9001, AS9100, or other applicable industry standards; lead-auditor or quality certification preferred.

• Hands-on experience reviewing First Article Inspection and APQP/PPAP deliverables, including drawings, GD&T, dimensional reports, material certifications, PFMEAs, control plans, MSA, and capability data.

• Proven success managing SCARs and leading supplier root-cause investigations and corrective actions using 8D, 5 Whys, and related methodologies.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing and inspection processes for relevant commodities, such as PCBAs, cables, sheet metal, machined parts, plastics, and system assemblies.

• Strong working knowledge of SPC, Cp/Cpk, MSA, sampling plans, control plans, PFMEA, and risk-based supplier quality controls.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications, distinguish evidence from assumptions, and communicate technical quality risks clearly across suppliers and cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and best practices, including part and document control, revision and change management, approval workflows, supplier data, and configuration traceability.

• Willingness to travel to domestic and international supplier sites for qualification, audits, production readiness, issue resolution, and supplier development.

The base salary range for this position is $175,000 to $275,000 annually. Actual compensation may include bonus and equity and will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.

Why Join Cerebras

People who are serious about software make their own hardware. At Cerebras, we have built a breakthrough architecture that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry. With dozens of model releases and rapid growth, we’ve reached an inflection point in our business. Members of our team tell us there are five main reasons they joined Cerebras:

• Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
• Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.
• Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
• Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
• Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.

Find out more about what it's like to work at Cerebras here!

Apply today and become part of the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in AI!

Cerebras Systems is committed to creating an equal and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe inclusive teams build better products and companies. We try every day to build a work environment that empowers people to do their best work through continuous learning, growth and support of those around them.

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