OPT Supplier Quality Engineer Jobs
Supplier Quality Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in automotive, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing regularly sponsor visas for this specialization.
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The application window is expected to close on: 07/03/2026. Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Meet the Team
You will be part of Cisco’s Global Supplier Management - Component Quality and Technology organization. We are a high-visibility, cross-functional team dedicated to ensuring the integrity of the hardware that powers the internet. We work collaboratively with professionals in Quality, Supplier Management, Engineering, and IT to maintain rigorous technical standards and drive resilient supply chain solutions on a global scale.
Your Impact
As a Supplier Quality Engineer, you will lead and govern quality management for critical hardware commodities, including Interconnects, Mix Signal & Timing (MST), and Power components. You will ensure all vendor-supplied parts exceed Cisco’s rigorous technical standards by implementing world-class quality frameworks. By leveraging advanced data analytics and AI, you will monitor and mitigate supply chain risks, champion root cause analysis (RCA), and drive continuous improvement through Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs) and Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs). This role is pivotal in shaping the future of Supplier Quality Management and elevating the customer experience through proactive, data-driven quality governance.
Responsibilities:
- Govern supplier quality management for hardware commodities (Interconnects, MST, Power) to ensure compliance with Cisco’s standards.
- Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and operations teams to resolve complex quality issues.
- Implement and manage quality frameworks, including SCARs and Quality Improvement Plans.
- Utilize advanced data analytics and AI tools to monitor supply chain performance and mitigate risks.
- Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and failure analysis initiatives to drive continuous improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
- B.S. in Engineering or equivalent field with a strong understanding of Operations and Supply Chain principles.
- 3–5 years of experience in Supply Chain management, specifically within hardware commodities.
- 3–5 years of direct experience in Supplier Quality Management.
- Demonstrated proficiency in problem-solving methodologies including RCA, CAPA, 8D, Failure Analysis, and ISO 9001 standards.
- 1–3 years of experience in Project Management within a technical or manufacturing environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
- Proven experience in electronics manufacturing environments.
- Possession of relevant Supplier Quality Certifications or Six Sigma Black Belt.
- Advanced knowledge of data analytics tools and their application in quality management.
- Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Why Cisco
At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Simply put – we power the future.
Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.
We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.
Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:
The starting salary range posted for this position is $140,800.00 to $183,000.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.
Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.
U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco’s plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.
U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco’s policies:
- 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- 1 paid day off for employee’s birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco
- Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees
- Exempt employees participate in Cisco’s flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)
- 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward from one calendar year to the next
- Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members
- Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer
For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco’s policies.
Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:
- .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;
- 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;
- 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and
- Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.
For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.
The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:
New York City Metro Area:
$140,800.00 - $210,500.00
Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:
$128,200.00 - $186,700.00
- For quota-based sales roles on Cisco’s sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.
Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Supplier Quality Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers first
Supplier Quality Engineer roles under CIP codes for mechanical or industrial engineering qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying so you can communicate your full authorization timeline to employers.
Lead with your quality certifications
Employers prioritize candidates with ASQ certifications, Six Sigma training, or familiarity with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards. Listing these on your resume signals technical readiness and reduces the perceived risk of sponsoring an OPT worker over a domestic candidate.
Focus on industries with high sponsorship rates
Automotive Tier 1 suppliers, aerospace manufacturers, and medical device companies file H-1B visa petitions regularly for quality engineering roles. Targeting these sectors significantly improves your odds of finding an employer willing to transition you from OPT to long-term sponsorship.
Quantify your supplier audit experience
Hiring managers for this role want measurable results. Frame your experience around defect rate reductions, corrective action closures, or supplier scorecard improvements. Concrete outcomes make a stronger case for sponsorship than listing job duties in general terms.
Address OPT timing proactively in interviews
If you have 12 months of initial OPT plus a potential 24-month STEM extension, communicate that timeline clearly. Employers who hesitate about sponsorship often worry about short runways. Showing you have three years of authorized work time often resolves that concern quickly.
Build relationships with quality engineering managers directly
Supplier Quality roles are often filled through referrals from within manufacturing networks. Connecting with quality managers at target companies through professional associations like ASQ increases your visibility and positions you as a serious candidate before a role is even posted.
Supplier Quality Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Supplier Quality Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, provided your degree falls under a qualifying STEM CIP code such as mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or manufacturing engineering. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree field. Confirm eligibility with your DSO, since job title alone does not determine STEM OPT qualification. Your university's international student office makes the final determination.
How much time do I have on OPT to work as a Supplier Quality Engineer before needing H-1B sponsorship?
You get 12 months of standard OPT, plus up to 24 additional months through the STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies, for a total of 36 months. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to support the extension. If you apply for the H-1B lottery during that window and are selected, you can remain in status through the cap-gap period while USCIS adjudicates your petition.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor Supplier Quality Engineers from OPT to H-1B?
Automotive Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, aerospace manufacturers, and medical device companies have strong track records of sponsoring quality engineers long-term. Large manufacturers with established legal and HR infrastructure are generally better bets than smaller suppliers. Migrate Mate filters job listings to surface roles at employers with active sponsorship history, which saves significant research time.
Can I work as a Supplier Quality Engineer at a client site or supplier facility while on OPT?
Yes, but your employment must remain with the company listed on your EAD. If your role involves regular travel to supplier facilities or client sites for audits, that is generally fine as long as your primary employer relationship does not change. Staffing arrangements where a third-party places you on-site at another company can create compliance complications, so clarify the employment structure before accepting an offer.
What should I do if a Supplier Quality Engineer job posting does not mention visa sponsorship?
Many manufacturers omit sponsorship language from postings but will consider OPT candidates, particularly for roles that are hard to fill. It is worth applying and raising your authorization status in the initial screen rather than self-selecting out. When you browse Supplier Quality Engineer roles on Migrate Mate, listings are curated for international candidates, which removes much of the uncertainty about whether a company is open to sponsorship.