Supplier Development Engineer – Metal Components

The Federal Group USA | Bingham Farms, MI | Full-Time | International Travel

About the Role

This is a vendor-facing engineering role — not a plant position. You'll manage metal manufacturing projects across an international supplier network, from first samples through full production, working directly with customers, factories, and our leadership team. You need a genuine manufacturing background — you'll be reviewing prints, auditing factories, and advising clients on methods and materials — but your workplace is the supplier relationship, not the shop floor.

If you've spent years at a Tier 1 or OEM chasing PPAPs, reviewing supplier inspection reports, and managing overseas foundries and machine shops — but you're tired of the automotive program grind — this role offers the same technical work with far more variety and direct impact.

About Us

The Federal Group USA is a sourced manufacturing partner supplying precision metal components — castings, forgings, cold headed parts, CNC machined components, sheet metal fabrications, and welded assemblies — to customers across North America. We're a lean, established team where engineers work directly with the CEO and COO, own their projects end to end, and see their decisions matter. No bureaucracy, no program-cycle layoff whiplash.

What You'll Do

Manage metal manufacturing projects cross-functionally from sample development through full production
Advise clients on manufacturing best practices — methods, materials, and finishing options
Review new projects for technical feasibility and manufacturing readiness
Ensure customer prints are complete and accurate: tolerances, specifications, revisions, and material callouts; flag prints requiring client revision or formal sign-off
Review vendor RFQs and quotes for technical accuracy and field technical questions during quoting
Oversee day-to-day vendor management and performance; partner with Sourcing on vendor selection to ensure capabilities align with project requirements
Travel internationally for factory tours and vendor audits with the Sourcing team
Partner with Quality and Supplier Quality Engineers on non-conforming parts, corrective actions, vendor inspection reports, and in-process/incoming inspections
Communicate technical information, deviations, and factory requests to the sales team for client follow-up
Lead project kickoff meetings with clients and vendors
Provide regular project status updates to internal and external stakeholders; escalate at-risk projects to the COO/CEO

What We're Looking For

Hands-on experience with castings, forgings, cold headed parts, and/or machined components — you know what good looks like and what goes wrong
Background in supplier quality, sourcing engineering, program/launch engineering, or manufacturing engineering with significant vendor interaction
Fluency in the language of supplier management: PPAP, APQP, 8D, corrective actions, GD&T, print review
Strong project management instincts — organizing cross-functional work, hitting deadlines, and communicating status clearly in a dynamic environment
Comfort working directly with customers and with international manufacturing partners
Willingness and ability to travel internationally for factory visits and vendor audits
Hindi language skills are a strong plus
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent experience)

Why This Role

Variety: Six manufacturing disciplines and a diverse customer base — no two projects look alike
Visibility: Direct access to the CEO and COO; your recommendations reach decision-makers the same day
Global exposure: Work directly with international manufacturing partners, including on-site factory visits
Stability: An established company with long-standing customer and supplier relationships
Location: Based at our Bingham Farms, MI office

The Federal Group USA is an equal opportunity employer.