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

• A builder’s mindset and a systems-level view of manufacturing

• 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)

• 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

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