Principal Quality Program Engineer

Job Description
BAE Systems Aerospace & Mission Systems (AMS) is looking for a Program Quality Engineer to join our team. The successful candidate will be a key program leadership member collaborating across functions and empowered to influence strategy and execution that ensures programs are executed with high quality. The program quality engineer will assure that customer, regulatory, and internal requirements are met at all levels of the value stream and will own the quality success of the program by coordinating quality resources (design, supplier, manufacturing), meeting customer satisfaction, and identifying, communicating, and dispositioning quality risks.
What's it like realizing your potential at an innovative company that takes on some of the world's most important challenges? Rewarding. As part of our Quality Organization, you'll join a group of driven professionals who design the products and systems that support enhanced military capabilities, protect national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure. With us, you'll be able to make an impact while you hone your skills and grow in your career.
The Operations Strategic Capabilities Unit plays a fundamental role in enabling efficient business and program execution - from strategic capital investments, industrial operations and an efficient supply chain, to state-of-the-art manufacturing and test operations and top-notch facilities management.
What You'll Do:

• Program Quality Planning & Execution: Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive program quality plans (including estimates, schedules, resources, and budgets) aligned with customer & internal requirements with inputs from but not limited to design and supplier quality counterparts, coordinate necessary quality expertise, and collaborate with other functions on APQP planning.
• Lifecycle Management: Support lifecycle management, phase gate, and program management reviews to ensure product quality, proactively identify issues, and serve as an active participant in program return to green efforts and transition to production activities.
• Customer Advocacy and Liaison: Serve as the primary customer quality liaison by overseeing product sell off, hosting customer source inspections and audits, approving and submitting PPAP's to the customer, and managing customer quality related issues and concerns.
• Quality Requirement Management: Proactively integrate quality into the program lifecycle by ensuring requirements flow down to all levels (design, suppliers, factories) and validate requirements.
• Issue Management & Resolution: Lead nonconformance management by overseeing non-conforming material investigations and chairing Material Review Boards, drive robust Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA) processes, and minimize program/customer impact.
• Risk & Opportunity Management: Identify and communicate quality risks, ensure robust mitigation strategies are in place, and leverage product issue data for DFMEA/PFMEA updates.
• Leadership: Coordinate and direct tasking of other Quality Assurance (QA) staff on a program and mentor and train junior colleagues within the organization.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 6 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• A current, active Secret security clearance is required.
• Expert in Quality Engineering (QE) principles, tools, methods, and standards.
• The candidate must demonstrate initiative, be able to complete tasks in a timely manner, possess good interpersonal skills, have good time management, and be able to represent QA in cross-functional meetings and to customers.
• Capable of leading a team of individuals on a program to execute to customer quality requirements.
• The candidate must be able to work in and contribute to a cross functional team environment.

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Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
• Master Black Belt Certified.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $118095 - $200762
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, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
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.