Principal Quality Engineer - ClearanceJobs : Job Details

How does it feel to work on a team driven to make a big impact? Empowering. BAE Systems is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer to support at its Louisville, Kentucky manufacturing site. In this role as a Principal Quality Engineer, you will serve as a senior tactical and strategic leader responsible for driving quality performance across cross-functional teams, developing systems for long-term success, and mentoring others. This role expands upon traditional quality engineering responsibilities to include stakeholder engagement, advanced risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives, with an emphasis on best practice sharing and leadership in Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) methodologies. Core responsibilities will include the following:

Technical & Program Support

• Lead in-depth analysis of quality metrics and trends to identify systemic issues and improvement opportunities.
• Guide complex defect investigations and resolution through advanced RCCA techniques (e.g., 5-Whys, Fishbone, 8D).
• Participate in and lead audits, CARs, and containment actions.
• Develop and maintain control plans, inspection plans, and PFMEAs.
• Lead counterfeit part detection efforts and ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Support BOE development and delivery; collaborate on programmatic quality planning.

Strategic & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier quality.
• Facilitate contract review and manage risk mitigation strategies.
• Develop contractual quality requirements, compliance frameworks, and procedures.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt/Certified Lean Practitioner preferred).
• Lead and facilitate Corrective Action Boards and stakeholder-level RCA sessions.
• Serve as a designated quality leader in cross-functional reviews and tiered support structures.

Mentorship, Communication & Reporting

• Provide guidance and mentoring.
• PFMEA, GD&T, and control plan development.
• Share best practices across teams; document lessons learned.
• Support training programs for operators and peers (may include face-to-face or remote).
• Provide tactical and strategic reporting to leadership and external stakeholders.
• Represent quality function in customer and internal reviews; resolve escalated quality issues.
• Promote a culture of inspection readiness and continuous improvement.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or related technical discipline.
• Six years of experience in quality engineering with increasing leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in advanced RCCA methods, contract interpretation, risk mitigation, and process audits.
• Strong communication skills for presenting to leadership and customers.
• Hands-on experience with BOE delivery, PFMEA, and control plan development.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience working with DCMA, ISEA, or other government agencies.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Confident facilitator and mentor; capable of guiding junior engineers and operators.
• Proactive in identifying and managing risk across programs and suppliers.
• Comfortable interacting with customers, contracts, and compliance teams.
• Committed to driving ROI through process excellence and quality-first leadership.
• Previous experience with SUBSAFE and/or NAVSEA requirements.
• Green Belt or Lean Practitioner certification preferred.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $105254 - $178931 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 Platforms & Services

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. The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and naval ship repair...just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.