Principal Quality Engineer - Program Quality

BAE Systems•Maple Grove, MN

16h•$118,095 - $200,762•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Quality Engineer for Program Quality is a critical leadership role dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of quality for advanced weapons systems. By bridging the gap between initial design and final production, this role directly contributes to BAE Systems' mission of protecting those who protect us. Through the application of "Right-First-Time" development and continuous improvement, the Principal Quality Engineer ensures that our products meet stringent contractual requirements and achieve customer expectations. This role is pivotal in mitigating program and technical risk, optimizing manufacturing processes, and maintaining the company's reputation for engineering excellence and operational integrity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited university (Mechanical or Electrical preferred).
Understanding and practical experience executing Quality Management Systems (QMS) based on AS9100, ISO 9001, or TS-16949.
Proficiency in APQP core tools, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), Lean, and structured root cause analysis.
Ability to interpret technical drawings, apply GD&T, and manage product acceptance testing.
Expert use of M365 (Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio).
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to defend technical results to external customers and internal executives.

Nice To Haves

ASQ Accreditation (CQM/OE, CQE, or CQA).
PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
Black Belt or Green Belt certification.
Experience in Defense Contracting.
Direct experience in manufacturing product launch and engineering product release.
Expertise in supplier component test verification (EMI, ESS, Unit Qualification, FAT).
Experience with requirement management tools and traceability matrices.

Responsibilities

Lead Quality Assurance activities for engineering projects of small to moderate complexity, ensuring all technical, performance, and quality requirements are met.
Synchronize quality activities across design quality, production quality, and procurement quality.
Develop the quality-specific portions of technical proposals, including influencing the statement of work and developing basis of estimates.
Identify and mitigate program and product level quality risks, ensuring a consistent approach to product and process excellence.
Conduct earned value management tasks, issue Work Authorization Memos (WAMs); plan and manage internal/external resources to meet all deliverables.
Serve as the lead Quality representative for customers, the Program Management Office (PMO), and functional teams.
Ensure programs align with the organization’s Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring consistent application of processes, documentation, and reporting.
Collaborate with program stakeholders to validate and ensure full compliance with contractual, customer, and regulatory quality standards (AS9100/ISO) across the entire program lifecycle.
Drive a culture of "Right-First-Time" development by leveraging APQP Core Tools, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), and Lean methodologies.
Lead/Facilitate investigations, using structured root cause analysis, to identify true causes of issues and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
Develop and manage quality program-level metrics to monitor quality health. Identify improvement opportunities and ensure the sustainment of improvements is aligned with business objectives.
Conduct detailed drawing reviews and interpret fundamental GD&T to ensure producibility and quality.
Oversee test plans and participate in qualification and first article inspection/testing.
Ensure seamless transition from engineering development to full-scale production.