What is it like to work for an organization where "We Protect Those Who Protect Us?" Rewarding!
Our employees work on the world's most advanced electronics - from saving emissions in the City of Lights to powering the Mars Rover to protecting the F-35 fighter jet. At Electronic Systems, you'll be among the brightest minds, working on the aerospace and defense industry's most difficult problems. Drawing strength from our differences, we're innovating for the future. And you can, too. We put our customers first - exemplified by our missions: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us®" and "We Innovate for Those Who Move the World." Sound like a team you want to be a part of?
BAE Systems Electronic Combat Solutions (ECS) business area is seeking a Principal Program Quality Engineer in the Tactical Air (TACAIR) Product Line. The role will support EPAWSS Production Programs as the Quality lead. As a Program Quality Lead, you will be responsible for ensuring BAE Systems builds and delivers compliant product to our customers. Requirements flow down and compliance will play a significant part of everyday life. Responsibilities for this role will include support to the production build process, First Article Inspection (FAI), Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) facilitator and participant, Supplier engagement and issue resolution, and Product Acceptance with the Customer, as well as Quality support on non-recurring engineering efforts including hardware redesign efforts due to Diminishing Manufacturing Supply. The role will include mentoring and leading other Program Quality Engineers.
The Program Quality Lead is the primary interface with the customer for audits, program inquiries and product acceptance. Attention to detail for hardware and documentation records play a critical part of the product acceptance process. Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic and collaborative program team environment is a must!
The individual will work closely with the Customer, Program Management Office, and Supplier Quality teams, along with other critical functions, to provide world-class program execution. Experience in program quality will benefit you in this role.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- Bachelor's Degree and 4-6+ years of related work experience or 8-10+ years of engineering experience in lieu of degree
- Self-starting problem solver with a fact-based focus on continuous improvement
- Strong and Demonstrated Communication Skills (written, verbal, visual) and interpersonal skills
- Enjoys mentoring Quality professionals and other cross-functional team members to continuously improve execution success
- Understanding of Quality Science tools (8D RCCA and Auditing) along with relevant industry standards (i.e., AS9100)
- Experience leading Quality activities in a Production environment
- Experience supporting Supplier surveillance and issue resolution
- Ability to read, interpret and understand a drawing, print and specification
- Communication in a clear, concise and professional manner with multiple customers in different organizations, functions and the US Government
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Applications including word, excel, power point
- Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplined team
- Ability to work independently and lead a team with little to no oversight
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering or technical discipline
- Prior Quality Assurance Engineering experience
- Production Hardware processing
- Program process definition and documentation
- Support to Production manufacturing
- Lean Six Sigma tools
- Green Belt/ Black Belt certification
- Hands on experience in a Defense Contracting Environment
- Preferred active secret clearance
- Familiarity with the following:
- Manufacturing of complex electronic assemblies
- Customer Requirements and flow down into program execution and tasking
- Hardware Inspection Criteria
- Quality Management Systems (AS9100)
- Quality Auditing
- Participation Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $118095 - $200762
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 Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 4-6+ years of related work experience, or 8-10+ years of engineering experience in lieu of a degree
- Self-starting problem-solving ability with a fact-based continuous-improvement focus
- Strong written, verbal, visual communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability and interest in mentoring quality professionals and cross-functional team members
- Understanding of quality science tools, including 8D RCCA and auditing, and relevant standards such as AS9100
- Experience leading quality activities in a production environment
- Experience supporting supplier surveillance and issue resolution
- Ability to read, interpret, and understand drawings, prints, and specifications
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with customers, cross-functional organizations, and the U.S. Government
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to work independently and lead a team with minimal oversight
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a technical discipline
- Prior quality assurance engineering experience
- Experience processing production hardware
- Experience defining and documenting program processes
- Experience supporting production manufacturing
- Experience with Lean Six Sigma tools
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
- Hands-on experience in a defense contracting environment
- Active Secret security clearance
- Familiarity with manufacturing complex electronic assemblies
- Familiarity with customer requirements and flowdown into program execution and tasking
- Familiarity with hardware inspection criteria
- Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems
- Familiarity with quality auditing
- Participation in root cause and corrective action activities
BAE Systems, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage is presented as comprehensive, paired with an EAP, fertility and transgender care options, and HSA‑compatible plans that can include employer contributions with coverage starting on day one in some cases. These resources are reinforced by wellness tools and immediate eligibility noted on official benefits materials.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) savings plan is broadly available, with employer matching and other contributions that vary by business unit, and some U.S. employee groups retain pension arrangements. Company‑paid basic life insurance equal to 2x base salary (up to $1M) further strengthens financial security.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave (e.g., 160 hours for full‑time employees) sits alongside adoption and surrogacy reimbursement and Bright Horizons backup child and elder care. These benefits help reduce care gaps and complement PTO and applicable state programs.
BAE Systems, Inc. Insights
What We Do
Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do. As a leading aerospace, defense, and security company, we work together to deliver a full range of products and services for air, land, space, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. How we work is rooted in purpose – a purpose to protect those who protect us, to unite our community of colleagues and customers, and to drive forward the growth and development of our exceptional team members. It's where purpose connects.
Why Work With Us
We believe your career should be filled with innovation and discovery. And that's exactly what you'll find at BAE Systems. As you work to develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills and expand knowledge. On a sharp and collaborative team, you will be challenged – and supported – at every turn.
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BAE Systems, Inc. Teams
BAE Systems, Inc. Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
As the work place continues to evolve, so do we. Remote and hybrid opportunities are available at BAE Systems depending on the nature of the role. Check your job requisition to learn more.








