Program Quality Engineer

About the role

Join a diverse group of driven professionals who design products and systems supporting the new frontier of military capabilities, protecting warfighters and ensuring the US maintains strategic advantages. As a Program Quality Engineer in BAE Systems' Secure Communications program area, you will be a key program leadership member collaborating across functions, empowered to influence strategy and execution to ensure high-quality program delivery.

Responsibilities

• Program Quality Planning & Execution: Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive program quality plans (including estimates, schedules, resources, and budgets) aligned with customer and internal requirements. Coordinate 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 participate 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 PPAPs, and managing customer quality-related issues and concerns.
• Quality Requirements Management: Proactively integrate quality into the program lifecycle by ensuring requirements are managed at all levels (design, process, suppliers, and focus factories) and validated during productization.
• Issue Management & Resolution: Lead nonconformance management by overseeing Material/Process Alert investigations, chairing Material Review Boards, driving robust Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA) processes, and minimizing 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.
• Supplier/Subcontract Support: Develop supplier quality clausing plans, review and approve subcontract management plans and statements of work. Support the Supplier Quality Assurance team and provide guidance for direct program activities.
• Compliance & Audit Support: Ensure compliance with BAE programmatic processes and organize, support, or execute AS9100 audits and CMMI assessments as required by policy.
• Performance Monitoring & Improvement: Ensure programs meet all quality performance requirements by managing and reporting key quality metrics. Partner with programs and other functions to drive improvements in overall program and business performance. Participate in Program Management Meetings and Customer Program Management Reviews.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field of study and 4-6+ years of experience, or 8-10+ years of engineering experience in lieu of degree.
• Experience in hardware assembly, testing, and inspection.
• Knowledge of industry standards and regulations (e.g., AS9100/ISO 9001, CMMI, AS9102, AS9145).
• Experience with root cause corrective action (RCCA) 8-D Process.
• Strong problem-solving and risk management skills to ensure solutions meet business and warfighter needs.
• Familiarity with lifecycle management (LCM) process and project management.
• Customer skills, including the ability to develop solid, credible working relationships.
• Business acumen, leadership, and cross-functional influence.
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
• ASQ advanced certifications.
• Experience with quality tools and methodologies (e.g., 8D and Lean Six Sigma).
• Experience with AS9145 APQP support and control plan implementation.
• Expertise in Commodities Design/Process (PWB, CCA, Microelectronics, Cables, and Optics).

Pay

Full-Time Salary Range: $118,095 – $200,762. Individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications such as skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings accounts.
• 401(k) savings plan.
• Disability coverage and life and accident insurance.
• Employee assistance program and legal plan.
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and other leave programs (including paid parental, military, bereavement, and applicable federal and state sick leave).
• Employee recognition program with monetary or non-monetary awards.
• Discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance.
• Other incentives based on position level and job specifics.

About BAE Systems Electronic Systems

BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace, and security company delivering products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions, and customer support services. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems’ game-changing defense and commercial electronics, pushing the limits of what is possible to give customers a competitive edge. With over 14,000 talented employees, ES makes an impact through breakthrough technology and superior products, supporting communities and customers worldwide.