Senior Principal Quality Engineer - Program Quality Assurance

Senior Principal Quality Engineer - Program Quality Assurance

Fort Wayne IN

Contract - 1st Shift, 4/40

Hours: 7am - 3pm

Pay Rate: $30.28/Hr.

Benefits: overtime, medical, dental, vision, 401k

Qualifications & Skills: Senior Principal Quality Engineer - Program Quality Assurance

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• Extensive knowledge of industry standards and regulations (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001, CMMI).
• Proven experience with root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions.
• Strong problem-solving, risk management, and decision-making skills.
• Familiarity with lifecycle management and project management methodologies.
• Exceptional customer relationship management abilities to develop credible, constructive partnerships.
• Business acumen, leadership qualities, and influence across diverse teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying complex information clearly.

Overview: Senior Principal Quality Engineer - Program Quality Assurance

Join our dynamic team as a Senior Principal Quality Engineer in Program Quality Assurance, where you will lead the development and execution of comprehensive quality strategies for critical programs. This role offers an exciting opportunity to impact product excellence, foster customer relationships, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced, innovative environment supporting aerospace and defense systems.

Key Responsibilities: Senior Principal Quality Engineer - Program Quality Assurance

• Program Quality Planning & Execution: Develop, implement, and maintain detailed program quality plans-including estimates, schedules, resource allocation, and budgets-aligned with both customer and internal requirements. Collaborate with design, supplier, and other cross-functional teams on Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities to ensure seamless quality integration throughout the program lifecycle.
• Lifecycle Management: Support lifecycle management processes, phase gate reviews, and program management reviews to uphold product quality standards. Proactively identify potential issues, lead "return to green" initiatives, and facilitate smooth transitions to production.
• Customer Advocacy & Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for customer quality concerns. Oversee product source inspections, host customer audits, approve and submit Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) documentation, and manage ongoing customer quality issues to ensure satisfaction and compliance.
• Quality Requirements Management: Influence initial program bids by integrating quality factors and ensure requirements are accurately cascading from design and suppliers to manufacturing. Validate requirements through make-item PPV/FAI reviews and approval processes.
• Issue Management & Resolution: Lead investigations into non-conformance issues, such as Material Alerts, chair Material Review Boards, and drive Root Cause & Corrective Action (RCCA) processes to prevent recurrence and mitigate customer impact.
• Risk & Opportunity Management: Identify potential quality risks, develop mitigation plans, and leverage product issue data to update DFMEA/PFMEA documentation, ensuring proactive risk management.
• Supplier & Subcontract Support: Develop and review supplier quality plans and subcontractor management strategies. Approve statements of work to ensure suppliers meet quality and performance standards.
• Compliance & Audit Support: Ensure adherence to all applicable standards such as ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF16949, and CMMI. Plan, organize, and support ISO audits, assessments, and compliance initiatives.
• Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement: Track and report quality performance metrics, identify improvement opportunities, and work collaboratively across functions to enhance program and business outcomes.

Preferred Skills & Experience: Senior Principal Quality Engineer - Program Quality Assurance

• Experience with quality tools and methodologies such as 8D, Lean Six Sigma.
• Knowledge of APQP processes, including AS9145 compliance.
• Prior experience supporting aerospace or defense programs is highly desirable.

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