Guardian Bikes
Supplier Development & Technical Sourcing Engineer
Guardian Bikes, Seymour, Indiana, United States, 47274
We’re expanding domestic manufacturing for safety-critical mechanical components and sub-assemblies. You’ll lead technical sourcing, qualification, and ongoing supplier development to build a robust U.S. supply base that delivers cost, quality, capacity, and speed—while maintaining strict confidentiality over program details.
Any additional information you require for this job can be found in the below text Make sure to read thoroughly, then apply. What you’ll do Build and mature the supply base:
Identify, assess, and onboard U.S. suppliers across forging, machining, tube forming/bending, stamping, wire forming, die casting, injection molding, assembly, and finishing. Run the full technical sourcing cycle:
RFI/RFQ, drawing/spec packages, DFM/A reviews, should-cost modeling, and fact-based negotiations with clear make/buy and award recommendations. Industrialize parts & processes:
Plan and execute APQP/PPAP (or equivalent) including process flows, PFMEA, control plans, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), MSA/Gage R&R, and run-at-rate—covering die casting & injection molding along with metal-forming processes. Tooling & process readiness:
Drive tooling kickoffs and approvals (die casting dies, injection molds, trim dies, fixtures, gauges). Validate first articles, capability, cosmetic standards, and durability/functional tests. Supplier performance improvement:
Lead problem-solving (8D/A3), yield and scrap reduction, SPC deployment, and process control improvements; implement layered audits and scorecards. Commercial + ops alignment:
Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, and Engineering on cost, lead-time, inventory strategy (VMI/consignment where applicable), and risk mitigation/dual-sourcing plans. Processes & materials you’ll qualify (scope) Metal forming & fabrication:
Forging, machining, tube forming/bending, stamping, wire forming, welding, CNC, secondary ops. Casting & molding:
Aluminum/zinc die casting
(e.g., A380, Zamak), thermoplastic injection molding (e.g., ABS, PC, PA6/66, PP, POM), insert/over-molding. Finishing:
Powder coat, e-coat, anodize, plating, painting, surface prep. Metrology & testing:
Dimensional inspection, CMM/vision, leak/pressure, torque/fatigue, corrosion and adhesion testing. What you’ll bring 6–10+ years in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, or technical sourcing for discrete parts; hands-on APQP/PPAP ownership. Demonstrated experience qualifying die casting and/or injection molding processes and tooling (moldflow/castability reviews, gate/runner design basics, venting/thermal balance, cycle-time optimization). Strong print reading (GD&T), tolerance stack-ups, capability analysis, and problem-solving (8D, DMAIC). Comfort on factory floors and in conference rooms—able to influence operators, managers, and executives. Willingness to travel ~30–50% to suppliers;
on-site in Seymour, IN
is mandatory. Nice to have Should-cost experience for cast/molded and formed parts; basic mold/die maintenance knowledge. Experience with safety-critical components, high-mix/medium-volume environments. ERP/MES exposure; SPC tools; familiarity with ISO 9001/IATF 16949 practices. How you’ll succeed Validate robust processes up front, prevent surprises in launch, and continually raise supplier capability while hitting cost and lead-time targets. Translate engineering intent into manufacturable, controllable processes—including die casting and injection molding—that scale with Guardian’s growth.
Any additional information you require for this job can be found in the below text Make sure to read thoroughly, then apply. What you’ll do Build and mature the supply base:
Identify, assess, and onboard U.S. suppliers across forging, machining, tube forming/bending, stamping, wire forming, die casting, injection molding, assembly, and finishing. Run the full technical sourcing cycle:
RFI/RFQ, drawing/spec packages, DFM/A reviews, should-cost modeling, and fact-based negotiations with clear make/buy and award recommendations. Industrialize parts & processes:
Plan and execute APQP/PPAP (or equivalent) including process flows, PFMEA, control plans, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), MSA/Gage R&R, and run-at-rate—covering die casting & injection molding along with metal-forming processes. Tooling & process readiness:
Drive tooling kickoffs and approvals (die casting dies, injection molds, trim dies, fixtures, gauges). Validate first articles, capability, cosmetic standards, and durability/functional tests. Supplier performance improvement:
Lead problem-solving (8D/A3), yield and scrap reduction, SPC deployment, and process control improvements; implement layered audits and scorecards. Commercial + ops alignment:
Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, and Engineering on cost, lead-time, inventory strategy (VMI/consignment where applicable), and risk mitigation/dual-sourcing plans. Processes & materials you’ll qualify (scope) Metal forming & fabrication:
Forging, machining, tube forming/bending, stamping, wire forming, welding, CNC, secondary ops. Casting & molding:
Aluminum/zinc die casting
(e.g., A380, Zamak), thermoplastic injection molding (e.g., ABS, PC, PA6/66, PP, POM), insert/over-molding. Finishing:
Powder coat, e-coat, anodize, plating, painting, surface prep. Metrology & testing:
Dimensional inspection, CMM/vision, leak/pressure, torque/fatigue, corrosion and adhesion testing. What you’ll bring 6–10+ years in supplier development, manufacturing engineering, or technical sourcing for discrete parts; hands-on APQP/PPAP ownership. Demonstrated experience qualifying die casting and/or injection molding processes and tooling (moldflow/castability reviews, gate/runner design basics, venting/thermal balance, cycle-time optimization). Strong print reading (GD&T), tolerance stack-ups, capability analysis, and problem-solving (8D, DMAIC). Comfort on factory floors and in conference rooms—able to influence operators, managers, and executives. Willingness to travel ~30–50% to suppliers;
on-site in Seymour, IN
is mandatory. Nice to have Should-cost experience for cast/molded and formed parts; basic mold/die maintenance knowledge. Experience with safety-critical components, high-mix/medium-volume environments. ERP/MES exposure; SPC tools; familiarity with ISO 9001/IATF 16949 practices. How you’ll succeed Validate robust processes up front, prevent surprises in launch, and continually raise supplier capability while hitting cost and lead-time targets. Translate engineering intent into manufacturable, controllable processes—including die casting and injection molding—that scale with Guardian’s growth.