Supplier Development Manager (SDM)

The role

You will build the manufacturing skills of local suppliers who make flight hardware for Orbitworks. You will audit suppliers on site, improve their processes and quality, and set up repeatable qualification methods.

What you will do

• Assess supplier manufacturing readiness through on-site audits, capability reviews and risk assessments.
• Improve travelers, work instructions, inspection plans and process controls with suppliers.
• Validate machining capability, including CNC programming, tooling, GD&T, surface finish and first article inspection.
• Strengthen wire harness production through crimp and pull-test validation, routing, shielding and workmanship standards.
• Oversee honeycomb panel rework and modifications, including bonding validation and nondestructive inspection alignment.
• Implement AS9100-aligned practices, AS9102 first article inspection, APQP and PPAP where applicable.
• Lead containment, root cause analysis and corrective action for supplier quality escapes.
• Develop supplier development roadmaps, qualification criteria and performance dashboards.
• Work with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain to resolve technical issues.

Required qualifications

• Flight-hardware manufacturing experience with aerospace process control, documentation and traceability.
• Deep machining knowledge covering CNC processes, GD&T, materials, tooling, surface finish and inspection.
• Wire harness manufacturing expertise, including crimp validation, pull testing, routing, shielding and workmanship controls.
• Proven supplier development experience with measurable improvements in capability, quality or manufacturing readiness.
• Working knowledge of AS9100-based quality systems, AS9102 first article inspection and process validation.
• Experience leading root cause analysis, containment and corrective action using methods such as 8D or RCCA.
• Hands-on shop-floor expertise, ability to work independently, and strong communication skills.

Nice to have

• Honeycomb or composite structures, bonding, nondestructive inspection and controlled structural rework experience.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 certification or knowledge of certification requirements; NADCAP special process exposure.
• APQP, PPAP, Lean or Six Sigma Black Belt experience.
• Experience building a supplier development function, integrating ERP/MRP systems or working with international suppliers.

About the company

Orbitworks aims to make space simple for organizations deploying physical and virtual missions to space. It will be the first commercial firm in the UAE to mass-manufacture satellites, operating from a 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi.