Supplier Quality Engineer

• Based in Shanghai – China

About the role

The Supplier Quality Engineer – Electrical is responsible for managing and assuring the quality of supplier manufactured electrical equipment, including transformers, motors, generators, cables, and related electrical components.

This role focuses on supplier quality management, factory acceptance testing (FAT), quality issue resolution, and continuous improvement, working closely with suppliers, engineering, procurement, and project teams to ensure electrical products meet all technical, quality, and contractual requirements throughout their lifecycle.

Reporting to the Supplier Quality Manager, you will:

1. Supplier Quality Management

• Act as the primary quality interface with suppliers of electrical equipment, including transformers, motors, generators, cables, and auxiliary electrical systems.

• Qualify, assess, and audit suppliers to ensure manufacturing capability, process control, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.

• Review, approve, and control supplier quality documentation, including Quality Plans, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), manufacturing procedures, and test procedures.

• Monitor supplier quality performance, identify risks, and drive corrective and preventive actions to improve supplier capability and consistency.

2. Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) & Inspection

• Plan, coordinate, and witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) at supplier facilities in accordance with IEEE, IEC, GB, or company‑specific requirements.

• Review electrical test results, FAT reports, and conformity documentation prior to shipment approval.

• Coordinate and manage third‑party inspection services when required, including review of inspection reports and non‑conformance records.

3. Quality Issue & Non‑Conformance Management

• Lead supplier‑related electrical quality issue investigations arising from manufacturing, FAT, delivery, or site installation.

• Conduct and review Root Cause Analysis (RCA) using structured methodologies such as 5 Why, Fishbone, or FMEA.

• Ensure effective implementation, verification, and closure of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) by suppliers.

• Support internal stakeholders in resolving supplier quality issues affecting electrical equipment reliability and performance.

4. Continuous Improvement & Risk Management

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to enhance manufacturing process control, product robustness, and repeatability.

• Identify recurring quality issues and systemic risks across electrical commodities and implement preventive actions.

• Capture lessons learned and contribute to the improvement of supplier quality standards, specifications, and inspection guidelines.

5. Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering to clarify technical and quality requirements for electrical equipment.

• Support Procurement and Project teams during supplier selection, technical evaluation, contract execution, and project delivery.

• Participate in design reviews, technical clarifications, and supplier quality risk assessments for new or modified electrical products.

About you

To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in supplier quality engineering, electrical equipment manufacturing, inspection, or testing.

• Proven experience managing suppliers of transformers, motors, generators, cables, or similar electrical products.

• Hands on experience with FAT, supplier audits, and inspection activities is strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of electrical equipment manufacturing processes and testing principles.

• Familiarity with relevant international and national standards such as IEC, IEEE, and GB.

• Ability to review technical drawings, datasheets, test procedures, and inspection records.

• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills for supplier quality issues.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, particularly in supplier facing environments.

• Structured, detail oriented, and capable of managing multiple suppliers and projects in parallel.

• Willingness to travel to supplier sites for audits, inspections, and FAT activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

•     Experience in heavy industry, mining, power generation, or EPC project environments.

•     Quality certifications (ISO auditor, Six Sigma, or equivalent) are an advantage.

Where you will be working

You will be based in our office in Shanghai. 

Since Rio Tinto established its first office in Beijing almost 40 years ago with just three people, the Group has built partnerships with China that span supply, innovation, knowledge transfer, culture and procurement. It's a relationship that has been transformative for Rio Tinto and which continues to make a significant contribution to China’s growth story.

The company’s history in China stretches back over a century, when Rio Tinto made the first borates sales to the country. Since 1973 when Rio Tinto was one of the first foreign companies to export iron ore to China, it has shipped over 2.5 billion tonnes of the commodity, more than any other mining company. This extraordinary volume has been driven in large part by the pioneering joint ventures and partnerships that the Group has forged in recent decades.

About Rio Tinto
 

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
 

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

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