Program Quality Engineer Principal

Job Description
Quality doesn't live in a spreadsheet - it lives in processes, people, and decisions. As a Quality Program Engineer, you'll sit at the center of program execution, risk management, and continuous improvement, ensuring quality is built in, sustained, and improved over time. This role is ideal for quality professionals who enjoy problem solving, cross-functional leadership, and owning outcomes - not just checking boxes.
As a Program Quality Engineer, Principal, at BAE Systems, in York, Pennsylvania, you will serve as a quality partner to assigned programs, supporting product quality from planning through execution by driving structured quality processes and disciplined problem solving.
Key responsibilities include:
Program & Process Quality

• Lead and support PFMEA development, maintenance, and updates in collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and operations
• Ensure risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated through effective prevention and detection controls
• Support control plans, inspection strategies, and process changes aligned to PFMEA outputs
• Corrective Action & Problem Solving
• Own and manage Corrective Action Requests (CARs) from initiation through closure

Facilitate structured problem-solving activities using tools such as:

• 3L5Y / 5-Why
• 8D
• A3
• RCCA
• Verify effectiveness of corrective actions and ensure systemic issues are addressed, not just symptoms

Quality Management System (QMS) Execution

• Apply QMS requirements (ISO 9001 / AS9100 where applicable) to daily program execution
• Support internal audits, surveillance activities, and compliance reviews
• Develop, update, and improve quality procedures, work instructions, and process documentation

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Safety, and Program teams to resolve quality issues
• Provide clear communication of quality risks, issues, and status to leadership and stakeholders
• Participate in program reviews, readiness reviews, and problem-solving meetings

Continuous Improvement

• Use data, metrics, and dashboards to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Apply Lean and Six Sigma principles to improve process capability, efficiency, and consistency
• Support site and program-level quality initiatives to strengthen execution and governance

Note: This position is on a hybrid schedule, based out of York, PA.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree in an engineering or technical discipline and six years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of degree
• Solid understanding of Quality Assurance / Quality Control fundamentals and concepts
• Solid understanding of Problem Solving tools and techniques
• Experience operating within ISO 9001 standards
• Experience using standard and industry related software including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and database applications such as Oracle or TipQA
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills
• Able to guide / mentor others
• Experience creating and documenting audit criteria
• Experience working within a manufacturing environment

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience using Oracle and TipQA
• Experience working in a quality program in support of government contracts, preferably DoW
• Experience in root cause analysis.
• PFMEAs, Control Plans, and risk-based quality tools
• Corrective Action management and structured problem solving
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 / AS9100 or similar quality standards
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and driving issues to closure
• Lean, Six Sigma, or Quality certifications are a plus

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107359 - $182510
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 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.