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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
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Act as the primary quality interface with suppliers of electrical equipment, including transformers, motors, generators, cables, and auxiliary electrical systems.
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Qualify, assess, and audit suppliers to ensure manufacturing capability, process control, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
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Review, approve, and control supplier quality documentation, including Quality Plans, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), manufacturing procedures, and test procedures.
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Monitor supplier quality performance, identify risks, and drive corrective and preventive actions to improve supplier capability and consistency.
2. Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) & Inspection
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Plan, coordinate, and witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) at supplier facilities in accordance with IEEE, IEC, GB, or company‑specific requirements.
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Review electrical test results, FAT reports, and conformity documentation prior to shipment approval.
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Coordinate and manage third‑party inspection services when required, including review of inspection reports and non‑conformance records.
3. Quality Issue & Non‑Conformance Management
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Lead supplier‑related electrical quality issue investigations arising from manufacturing, FAT, delivery, or site installation.
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Conduct and review Root Cause Analysis (RCA) using structured methodologies such as 5 Why, Fishbone, or FMEA.
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Ensure effective implementation, verification, and closure of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) by suppliers.
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Support internal stakeholders in resolving supplier quality issues affecting electrical equipment reliability and performance.
4. Continuous Improvement & Risk Management
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Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to enhance manufacturing process control, product robustness, and repeatability.
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Identify recurring quality issues and systemic risks across electrical commodities and implement preventive actions.
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Capture lessons learned and contribute to the improvement of supplier quality standards, specifications, and inspection guidelines.
5. Cross‑Functional Collaboration
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Work closely with Engineering to clarify technical and quality requirements for electrical equipment.
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Support Procurement and Project teams during supplier selection, technical evaluation, contract execution, and project delivery.
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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:
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Bachelor’s degree or above in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or a related discipline.
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Minimum 5 years of experience in supplier quality engineering, electrical equipment manufacturing, inspection, or testing.
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Proven experience managing suppliers of transformers, motors, generators, cables, or similar electrical products.
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Hands on experience with FAT, supplier audits, and inspection activities is strongly preferred.
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Strong understanding of electrical equipment manufacturing processes and testing principles.
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Familiarity with relevant international and national standards such as IEC, IEEE, and GB.
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Ability to review technical drawings, datasheets, test procedures, and inspection records.
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Solid analytical and problem-solving skills for supplier quality issues.
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Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, particularly in supplier facing environments.
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Structured, detail oriented, and capable of managing multiple suppliers and projects in parallel.
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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.
R55273
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, 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 and meet opportunities.
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 being 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 who we are.
Start your application
Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
Take a look at Shona’s career journey
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Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Working in a technical role at Rio Tinto
Your advanced expertise will help drive human progress.
We’ve developed technical capabilities through nearly 150 years of discovering, planning, and operating mines in every corner of the world. We’re an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most sophisticated tools and robust data on the planet. Join us and experience:
Our application process
01
Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
02
Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
03
Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
04
Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
05
Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.