Sr Engineer, Supplier Quality Assurance

Technical Services Group

Transocean is focused on being the employer of choice for the drilling industry.

We are challenging ourselves every day to push the performance of the company through technological advances and passion for our work.

Job Summary

The Sr, Engineer - Supplier Quality Assurance (SQE) serves as the frontline executor of the Vendor Quality Assurance (VQA) program, responsible for conducting on-site and remote surveillance activities to verify vendor compliance with approved ITPs, industry standards, and Company requirements at critical hold/witness points.

The SQE manages the complete surveillance lifecycle—from logging of inspection notification and KOM participation through reports submission and nonconformance closure—ensuring nonconformances are identified early, root causes are addressed, and quality escapes to operations are prevented.

This role directly supports Vendor Quality Assurance objectives by maintaining vendor accountability through scorecard management, KPI monitoring, and supplier development initiatives including QMS and special process audits per API Q1/Q2 and ISO

Additionally, the SQE acts as a cross-functional quality interface, supporting internal departments with technical input on vendor quality plans, ITPs, and acceptance criteria to ensure equipment arrives defect-free.

Job Description

Key Roles & Responsibilities:

• Vendor Surveillance Execution – Conduct on-site and remote surveillance as per activities approved in vendor's ITP. Verify compliance at hold/witness points for processes including welding, NDT, assembly, FAT, load testing, coating/painting, and material verification. NOI Management & Logging – Log all Notifications of Inspection (NOI) including waivers, with KOM Control Number, inspection activity details, product/component information, vendor records, and nonconformance entries. Vendor Visit Reports (VVR) – Complete and submit VVRs upon completion of surveillance activities, including checklist usage, verification of NCR closure, nonconformances, pictures of equipment, and summary of execution. Remote Assessment – Execute remote assessments via live observation or recorded review using ICT tools per Company's Remote Assessment Guide. Certificate of Conformance & Databook Review – Review CoC and ensure availability of MRB/Databook per IADC Guidance GU-IADC-SC-004.
• Equipment or Services equipment failure resolution and Nonconformance Management: Raise nonconformance for any defect or noncompliance observed during vendor surveillance activities. Ensure all nonconformances are logged in AIM system, resolved with vendors to avoid recurrence. Investigate and verify root cause analysis (RCCA) and validate supplier corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Leadership role with OEMs – Manage OEMs scorecard and Key Performance Indicators, Improvement Plans, Business Performance Reviews. Act as quality interface for OEMs, monitor KPIs, review scorecards, and drive corrective/preventive action plans.
• Supplier Qualification and Development – Identify supplier development opportunities and implement them. Conduct Quality Management Systems audits including Special Process audits (Welding, NDE, Coating, Painting) of suppliers towards product and process qualification, and investigations in line with API 20E/F, API Q1/API Q2, and ISO 9001.
• Support Internal Departments within Transocean – Attending Supplier KOM, Review and approve vendor Quality Plans, Inspection Test Plans, and inspection procedures to ensure alignment with Company requirements, OEM specifications, and applicable industry standards and acceptance criteria during KOM and execution.

Education:

• Minimum Required: Bachelor's Degree - Applied Science, ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certification preferred.
• Preferred Level: Bachelor's Degree - Mechanical Engineering CWI (AWS Certification); Level II NDE certification; ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification.

Experience:

• Minimum Required: 8-10 years' work experience with equipment manufacturing, quality, fabrication application, and inspection methodologies and QMS auditing.
• Preferred Level: 10+ years' work experience in equipment manufacturing, quality management systems, and inspection methodologies within the marine drilling industry. Demonstrated experience in vendor surveillance, PPKOM execution, and MSN-VNCR management. AWS Certification required; Level II NDE expertise level required; ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification required.

Skills:

Minimum Required:

• Working knowledge and understanding of manufacturing/fabrication processes that include mechanical equipment, preventative maintenance, general metallurgy, welding, marine drilling industry and relevant oilfield equipment (blowout preventers, well control systems and equipment, diverters, marine drilling risers, etc.) is preferred. Must demonstrate working knowledge in the designated discipline and possess organizational skills to multitask multiple projects in parallel. Candidate must have excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills. Candidate must have working knowledge of Supplier management and development through scorecards, Key Performance Indicators, and improvement plans. General knowledge of Six Sigma and Lean improvement methodologies. General knowledge of IADC, ABS, DNV rules as well as API, ASME, AWS, Norsok and NACE applicable standards.

Preferred Skills:

• Expert knowledge of OEM equipment (Well Control, Top-Side, Drill Ships) and mechanical systems used in manufacturing and marine drilling including BOPs, well control systems, diverters, and marine drilling risers.
• General Metallurgy: Understanding of material properties, heat treatment processes, and failure analysis; familiarity with metals and alloys used in marine and oilfield applications.
• Welding: Proficiency in welding techniques and standards (ASME, AWS, DNV, ISO) suitable for marine drilling industry and oilfield equipment.
• NDE, Coating, Painting: Good knowledge (Level II NDE expertise level) in NDE techniques, methods, and applications.

Organizational & Communication Skills:

• Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with strong organizational skills to manage timelines, resources, and priorities effectively.
• Excellence in written, oral, and presentation communication; ability to convey technical information clearly to different stakeholders.

Supplier Management:

• Experience conducting on-site and remote surveillance per Quality Plan activities.
• Supplier management and development through KPIs, scorecards, and Inspection Test Plans.
• Effective NCR closure through root cause identification and corrective actions.

Quality Management Systems:

• Knowledge and experience conducting QMS audits per ISO 9001 and API Q1/Q2 standards.
• Root Cause Analysis techniques, Six Sigma, and Lean improvement methodologies.

Industry Standards:

• Good knowledge of standards from IADC, ABS, DNV, API, ASME, AWS, Norsok, and NACE.

Additional/Travel:

• Hands-on practical field experience; strong analytical problem-solving abilities; commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends.
• Travel can be up to but not limited to 25%.

Pre-Requisite/ Qualification:

• Must successfully complete pre-employment drug screen.
• Must successfully complete pre-employment background check.

If you want to push yourself to great achievement, let Transocean develop your career.