Senior Principal Quality Engineer – Program Quality Assurance

Job Description

As a Senior Principal Quality Engineer for Program Quality Assurance, you will be a critical leader responsible for ensuring the highest levels of quality and compliance throughout the lifecycle of our diverse aerospace programs, encompassing both commercial and military initiatives, including foreign military sales (FMS). You will manage the implementation and execution of program quality requirements across all phases – from proposals and contract review to development, production, and support. This role demands a seasoned quality professional with a deep understanding of aerospace manufacturing, quality management systems, and a passion for delivering exceptional product reliability to a broad range of customers, including government agencies like the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). You will be a key interface with customers and government representatives, representing the voice of quality and driving continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Quality Lifecycle Management: Manages the implementation and execution of program quality requirements across the entire program lifecycle, including proposals, contract review, start-up, development, transition to production, production, and support.
• Cross-Functional Quality Leadership: Serves as the Quality Lead, partnering with program teams during design, development, production, and mobilization phases. Demonstrates understanding of quality tasks across all quality functions including hardware, software, systems, and suppliers/subcontractors, as well as customer requirements.
• Contractual Compliance: Performs contract reviews and flows down contract quality requirements to the quality team, including suppliers. Establishes quality budgets and cost commitments.
• Risk & Opportunity Management: Serves on the program area Risk and Opportunity Review Boards, nominating and mitigating quality-related risks and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Quality Planning & Documentation: Ensures Quality Assurance Plans (QAPs) are documented, current, and effectively implemented.
• Audit & Assessment Management: Schedules and ensures the completion of program assessments, including quality audits (internal and external). Participates in independent program reviews to understand risks and drive Return to Green plans.
• DCMA/Customer Relationship Management: Maintains a strong relationship with DCMA and key customers, serving as the primary quality point of contact.
• Quality Team Management: Establishes and maintains an effective Quality Program Team business rhythm.
• System-Level Quality Oversight: Performs as a system quality engineer for the review of system-level work products.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifies and implements improvements to quality processes, leveraging Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Compliance: Ensures adherence to company policies, all relevant aerospace regulations (FAA, EASA, etc.), and specific military and government requirements.
• Nonconformance Management: Oversees the Material Alert Board (MAB) process, driving Root Cause Analysis (RCCA) and effective corrective actions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree and 6-8+ years of experience or 10-12+ years of related experience
• Program Management, Project Management, Project Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or IPT Lead experience
• Knowledge of systems engineering concepts and processes including Requirements Development, Design/Development, Product Integration and Test
• Experience with working with subcontractors and suppliers
• Strong Analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience with leading Root Cause and Corrective Actions
• Demonstrated capability to lead multifunctional teams to complete complex projects throughout program lifecycle
• Familiarity in process development, continuous improvement, Lean principles
• Familiarity with Risk and Opportunity Management
• Experience with supporting proposals and development of Basis of Estimates (BOEs)
• Knowledgeable in the collection, analysis, and reporting of data and key quality metrics
• Excellent Verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Applications, JIRA, Confluence, DOORS, Cameo
• Ability to travel

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in STEM or related discipline
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems and Lead Auditor experience (AS9100, ISO9001)
• Familiarity with Production Operations and working in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to read Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and understand engineering drawings and specifications
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience with DCMA/Customer interface
• Familiarity with the activities of a control account manager (CAM) / Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Familiar with supporting programs through proposal, development, production, and sustainment from a quality engineering standpoint
• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills.
• Green Belt Trained and Certified is a plus
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• ASQ Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Certification (CMQ/OE)
• ASQ Software Quality Engineer Certification (CSQE)
• ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $120874 - $205486

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems’ game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere – from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact – for our customers and the communities we serve.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.