Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager

Leidos•San Diego, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Leidos’ Undersea Systems Division is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager to support a fast-paced R&D engineering group at Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific (NIWC PAC). The group works on underwater vehicle systems, maritime sensors, subsea telemetry, and ISR solutions. This is a hands-on quality leadership and process-architecture role focused on creating, documenting, implementing, and continuously improving quality management processes and systems in an evolving environment where established frameworks may be limited or nonexistent. The role establishes practical quality controls across engineering, testing, assembly, integration, and deployment, and develops scalable checkpoints to support the transition from exploratory R&D prototypes to repeatable low-volume manufacturing. It also oversees quality assurance for vehicle systems and sensor payloads, ensures adherence to applicable Navy/DoD standards and other requirements, and drives audits, corrective actions, training, risk management, and continuous improvement. The position is onsite at NIWC Pacific in San Diego, California, on a 9/80B schedule: 80 hours over nine days in a two-week period, with every other Friday off. The listed pay range is $92,300 to $166,850.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.
At least 8 years of experience in QA/QC management in defense, government contracting, or specialized high-tech manufacturing.
Must be a U.S. citizen and possess an active Secret security clearance, with the ability to maintain it.
Demonstrated experience establishing, developing, or significantly improving QMS and procedural frameworks where formal processes were limited, immature, or nonexistent.
Hands-on experience authoring, implementing, and standardizing SOPs, work instructions, quality plans, and process controls.
Direct experience supporting integrated systems projects involving advanced R&D prototypes and production-scale hardware units.
Strong understanding of QMS, including practical implementation of ISO 9001/AS9100 principles in R&D and low-rate production environments.
Expert knowledge of structured engineering methodologies, including the V-Model, Agile, and MIL-STD lifecycle processes.
Familiarity with advanced electronics, mechanical assemblies, and mission-critical hardware integration.
Proficiency in developing technical documentation, including procedure manuals, schematic overlays, and traceability matrices.
Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, actionable, repeatable processes.
Experience managing fast-paced projects with aggressive timelines, shifting priorities, and evolving or undefined procedures.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate quality risks and recommendations to senior leadership.
Problem-solving ability to identify systemic quality issues, implement corrective actions, and drive sustainable improvements across multidisciplinary teams.
Sound technical judgment and adaptability in applying quality standards in dynamic R&D environments while balancing compliance, risk mitigation, and mission requirements.
Strong understanding of end-to-end engineering and production workflows and the ability to identify inefficiencies beyond final product inspection.
Exceptional attention to detail, resourcefulness, and ability to maintain quality standards amid changing project demands.
Ability to work onsite at NIWC Pacific on a 9/80B schedule.

Nice To Haves

ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Responsibilities

Create, develop, document, implement, and continuously improve quality management processes, procedures, and controls in an evolving R&D environment.
Author and maintain SOPs, work instructions, test plans, acceptance criteria matrices, FMEAs, and other quality documentation.
Assess engineering, testing, assembly, and integration workflows; identify process gaps; formalize existing practices; and establish consistent, repeatable procedures.
Design and implement scalable quality checkpoints and control gates to support transition from R&D prototypes to disciplined, repeatable low-volume manufacturing.
Apply Lean/Six Sigma methodologies and root cause analysis to improve efficiency, reduce quality risks, and strengthen process reliability while respecting military specifications.
Establish and oversee quality controls to ensure project activities comply with applicable Navy/DoD standards, internal guidelines, and industry best practices.
Create, develop, and oversee QA processes for vehicle systems and sensor payloads.
Establish and conduct internal audits of processes and finished systems.
Maintain traceable records of quality deviations, corrective actions, and preventive measures.
Develop and lead training so technical personnel understand and apply QA/QC procedures, documentation standards, and compliance requirements.
Collaborate with production leads, engineers, and technical subject matter experts to establish effective quality processes.
Identify technical, procedural, and operational risks, including single points of failure, and implement controls to protect mission readiness and schedules.
Resolve complex quality challenges, implement sustainable improvements, and adapt processes as program requirements evolve.