About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

Forterra is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer to work in a joint capacity supporting quality activities in production and supporting Quality Assurance activities, including audit management and nonconformance management for Forterra’s supply base. This will be an on-site role. Successful candidates will be creative problem solvers and process-oriented individuals who have a consistent track record of delivering results. You excel at working in a fluid environment with cross-functional teams to solve complex problems and dive deep into issues to conduct data-driven problem solving. 

You thrive at bringing order from chaos by creating effective processes that can efficiently scale. You are an outstanding communicator who helps drive execution of plans to achieve business results. You are excellent at time and priority management and capable of using sound judgement when faced with competing tasks. You are self-driven and possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate difficult situations. 

Safety Responsibilities  

Demonstrates leadership commitment to safety through ensuring reporting of incidents; timely handling of employee safety concerns in alignment with Forterra’s Just Culture program; promoting Safety Culture and values; ensuring compliance with safety-related regulations and policies; and supporting safety objectives and safety performance goals. 

What you'll do

• Responsible for working with cross functional teams in executing quality standards, deploying quality assurance processes, conducting quality reviews, and ensuring that the product meets the specified quality criteria. 
• Partner with Hardware Engineering and Production on sustaining activities and ensure that appropriate levels of quality are met for production stages. 
• Prepare and conduct First Article Inspections following AS9102 methodologies. 
  Conduct inspections, as required, to ensure any Quality inspection bottlenecks are promptly addressed. 
• Work with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to ensure that Quality inspection points are incorporated into planning and work instructions. 
• Respond to production stoppages due to quality issues and ensure timely triage and problem solving. 
• Support the resolution of nonconforming material issues and drive root cause analysis and corrective action, as required. 
• Work with Supply Chain to ensure that appropriate supplier quality requirements are flowed to suppliers via the purchase order process. 
• Work closely with Supply Chain and Quality Management Systems Manager to ensure key suppliers are audited and/or assessed according to established criticality levels. 
• Support the timely resolution of supplier quality issues and perform/implement root cause and corrective actions with suppliers as needed.
• Assist in the development and improvement of supplier performance data. Provide recurring reports on the status of supplier quality performance. Drive Supplier Corrective Action Requests when necessary. 
• Act as the lead for scheduling/chairing Supplier Audit pre-assessment meetings as well as completion of Supplier Assessments and associated closing meeting documentation. 
• Act as a support member for Preliminary and Material Review Boards where applicable for supplier related nonconformities. 
• Coordinate and facilitate the monthly Supplier Corrective Action Board. 
• Ability to travel to suppliers (30-50%). Majority of travel will be related to domestic supplier audits. 

Minimum Qualifications

• BS or MS in Engineering, Science, or Technology (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 5+ years of experience in Quality, Production, Manufacturing environment, or equivalent work experience. 
• Experience developing performance metrics and driving initiatives to ensure goals are achieved. 
• Must possess the ability to establish rapport and working relationships at all levels of the organization and communicate effectively throughout. 
• Experience in auditing processes and products. 
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, models, schematics and determining basic inspection techniques to be applied. 
• Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 or other automotive or aerospace quality standards. 
• Strong investigation and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to navigate ERP, PLM, and other QMS software tools. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a Certified Quality Auditor is a plus. 
• Experience with Arena PLM and NetSuite ERP a plus. 
• Experience with Six Sigma Methodologies is a plus. 
• Familiarity with IPC standards (IPC-620, IPC JSTD-001, IPC-A-610) is a plus. 
• Familiarity with industry counterfeit prevention methodologies and standards (e.g., AS6147, AS5553, AS6301) is a plus. 

US Salary Range
 $115,000 - $150,000

Location

On-Site in Clarksburg, MD

Up to 25-35% Travel Required

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.   

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice.