Principal Quality Engineer

Oshkosh Corporation•Hagerstown, MD

3d•$82,900 - $134,300

About The Position

The Principal Quality Engineer serves as a recognized technical expert responsible for advancing product quality, manufacturing capability, and process performance across multiple product lines. This role applies advanced quality engineering principles, statistical methods, and structured problem-solving techniques to develop robust manufacturing processes, improve product reliability, and drive continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related field from an accredited institution.
Eight (8) or more years of progressive quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience resolving complex product, manufacturing, or supplier quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.
Advanced knowledge of quality engineering principles, statistical methods, and continuous improvement tools.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Black Belt, or equivalent quality certification.
Advanced ability to interpret technical drawings including GD&T, engineering specifications, process requirements, and product characteristics.
Extensive experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), PFMEA, Control Plans, APQP, and PPAP.
Demonstrated project management experience, including leading cross-functional initiatives, managing timelines, and delivering results.
Advanced experience applying statistical analysis and process improvement methodologies to improve manufacturing capability and product quality.
Experience supporting new product development, manufacturing process validation, and production readiness.
Customer and supplier quality audit experience.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical mentorship and guidance to quality engineering teams.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical expert for complex product, process, and supplier quality issues across multiple product platforms.
Lead the resolution of complex quality issues using advanced structured problem-solving methodologies and cross-functional collaboration.
Lead continuous improvement of quality control testing, defect detection, and defect prevention activities.
Design, develop, validate, and optimize complex manufacturing and quality processes to improve product quality and process capability.
Apply advanced quality engineering tools including Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), process capability analysis, PFMEA, control plans, and root cause analysis.
Analyze quality trends, process variation, and manufacturing data to identify systemic issues and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to Quality Engineers, Quality Inspectors, and Quality Analysts in quality engineering principles and process improvement activities.
Communicate effectively and collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Global Procurement & Supply Chain (GPSC), Sales, Contracts, Suppliers, and Operations to resolve complex quality-related issues and improve processes.
Serve as a subject matter expert across multiple product platforms, providing technical guidance and support.
Facilitate quality forums by providing business impact assessments, risk evaluations, and data-driven recommendations to improve first-pass yield, reduce defects per unit, and achieve strategic quality objectives.
Identify and implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma improvement initiatives to eliminate waste and improve process capability.
Lead defect reduction, process improvement, and system improvement projects using data-driven analysis, advanced problem-solving methods, and cross-functional collaboration.
Perform advanced process capability studies, statistical analyses, and process validation activities for internal manufacturing operations and external suppliers.
Design and improve process inputs to achieve desired manufacturing and quality outcomes while reducing process variation.
Establish robust process controls and control plans to sustain improvements and prevent process backsliding.
Analyze manufacturing process constraints and develop standards to improve product quality and operational performance.
Benchmark industry best practices and emerging quality technologies to enhance manufacturing and quality systems.
Investigate customer and supplier quality concerns and implement effective corrective and preventive actions utilizing structured quality methodologies.
Partner with Global Procurement & Supply Chain to establish supplier quality requirements, purchase specifications, APQP/PPAP activities, receiving inspection strategies, supplier audits, and contractual quality requirements.
Support new product introductions by developing quality plans, validating manufacturing processes, and ensuring production readiness.
Contribute to the maintenance of ISO, IATF, and other applicable quality management system certifications and compliance.