Senior Principal Quality Engineer
The Senior Principal Quality Engineer serves as a senior technical leader responsible for advancing quality excellence across the organization. This role provides expert guidance on aerospace quality systems, manufacturing quality, product integrity, and regulatory compliance while partnering with engineering, operations, supply chain, and customers to drive continuous improvement.
The successful candidate will lead the resolution of complex technical quality challenges, establish best practices, mentor engineering teams, and influence strategic business decisions through technical expertise. This position requires extensive aerospace manufacturing experience and a thorough understanding of FAA, AS9100, and customer-specific quality requirements.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as the organization's technical subject matter expert on quality engineering principles and methodologies.
- Lead complex quality investigations involving customer escapes, manufacturing issues, supplier concerns, and field failures.
- Drive root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions utilizing RCCA, 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, Fault Tree Analysis, and statistical methods.
- Develop and standardize quality engineering processes across manufacturing operations.
- Partner with Engineering during product development and design changes to ensure manufacturability and quality requirements are effectively incorporated.
- Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities for new product introduction and product transfers.
- Support customer and regulatory audits including FAA, AS9100, NADCAP, and customer surveillance activities.
- Coach and mentor Quality Engineers and cross-functional teams while developing organizational quality capabilities.
- Support strategic initiatives including supplier development, work transfers, manufacturing process improvements, and quality system enhancements.
- Analyze quality data to identify trends, reduce variation, and improve process capability.
- Lead cross-functional teams to implement preventive actions that improve customer satisfaction and reduce Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
- Minimum 10 years of quality engineering experience within aerospace or other highly regulated manufacturing industries.
- Thorough knowledge of AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
- Strong understanding of FAA regulations and aerospace quality requirements.
- Experience leading root cause investigations and corrective action implementation.
- Working knowledge of APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, Measurement System Analysis (MSA), Process Capability Studies, and statistical analysis.
- Experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and customer requirements.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with customers and executive leadership.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Expert-level understanding of aerospace quality systems and manufacturing processes.
- Advanced statistical analysis and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to influence without direct authority.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Excellent presentation and customer communication skills.
- Ability to coach, mentor, and develop technical talent.
- Strategic thinker capable of balancing technical risk with business objectives.
- Ability to lead multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
Compensation & Benefits
We believe great work deserves great support. Our total rewards package is designed to take care of your health, your future, and your everyday life:
- Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus HSA/FSA options, an onsite cafeteria and fitness center.
- Financial Security: Build your future with competitive pay, an annual bonus opportunity, a 401(k) plan with up to 4% company match with an additional annual employer contribution starting at 3% toward you retirement, and company-paid life and disability insurance.
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy four (4) weeks of vacation, five (5) additional days of paid time off during our annual holiday shutdown. We also offer paid sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, giving you time to rest, recharge and focus on the time you need.
- Grow Your Career: Generous tuition reimbursement up to $20,000 annually combined with ongoing professional development opportunities to keep learning and moving forward
- Extras That Make Life Easier: Supplemental insurance options, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), legal services, identity theft protection, discounted auto/home insurance, and pet insurance
Salary: $160,000 - $215,000
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