Product Line Quality Director

Job Description BAE Systems is seeking a Product Line Quality Director, reporting to the Sr. Director of Quality in the Electronic Combat Systems Business Area. The selected candidate will lead the teams responsible for Program Quality Assurance in support of our innovative aerospace and defense focused electronics and software solutions, driving best practices in quality science through a Quality First culture leveraging Lean & Six Sigma tools and frameworks.

The Product Line Quality Director has significant cross-functional influence, and requires the ability to partner across factories, functions, and programs to provide strategic thought leadership as well as proactive, execution-focused solutions that create value for our Customers, Programs and Business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead diverse work force of quality professionals responsible to identify data-based improvement plans utilizing 6-sigma tools to improve operational execution and performance regarding safety, quality, on-time delivery, and cost via defect reduction, as well as championing innovative ideas to drive enhanced affordability, production factory floor efficiency, and quality tool maturation from new product release to production process capability initiatives, through effective sustainment solutions.
• Provide direction, supervision, and guidance to ensure alignment with quality policy, strategic objectives and organization goals that drive to Zero Defect plans and Strategy.
• Provide AS9145 thought leadership to program engineering and operations functions, serving as champion for APQP/PPAP implementation and maintenance throughout the product life cycle from design to production. Build capability and drive best practices in SPC, FMEA, KCs, APQP, MSA, and effective control planning that result in favorable impacts at the business area level.
• Interface with customers and suppliers to ensure all requirements are clearly understood, collaborating with program teams to ensure effective risk planning, identification, and mitigation, resulting in compliant process implementation.
• Identify audit strategy for the product line to ensure compliance across the product line to all applicable standards and customer requirements.
• Ensure products conform to established company and regulatory performance and quality standards to meet customer requirements. Manage compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and minimize risk to employees and liability to the Business Area and Operations.
• Develop, recruit and align a highly capable quality assurance staff that partners seamlessly with Operations, Engineering and Programs to enhance the customer experience and support business area, factory, customer and end user needs through quality improvement.
• Develop and reinforce relationships with customers and DCMA, serving as a voice of the customer internally.
• Investigate problems and develop disposition and corrective actions for discrepancies using proven RCCA techniques and driving sustainable preventive improvements.
• Flawlessly implement corrective actions, dispositions, process optimization and modifications – makes the news, doesn’t just report the news.
• Encourage high level collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Marshal resources to achieve challenging requirements, orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal, use matrixed resources effectively and efficiently, and arrange information in a useful manner.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering or Technical Field and a minimum of 8 years relevant experience in Engineering, Operations, or Quality, with 4 years in quality or operations management.
• Certified Six Sigma Green Belt
• Demonstrated capability of the functional domain in Quality Sciences, strategies, standards, and controls. Ability to guide implementation of appropriate applications through design and development into high-mix/low-high volume manufacturing and supply chain. Proficient in problem solving methodology with the ability to train others in the use of root cause and corrective action tools (Global 8D, 5Why, Ishikawa).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, data analysis, statistical tools.
• Strong written, analytical, and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative, project management skills
• Capable of influencing a wide range of audiences, demonstrated leadership skills to win support without direct reporting structure.
• History of formulating strategic vision, definition of implementation plan of action, culminating in successful execution.
• Track record of building teams with high levels of Quality acumen.
• Ability to obtain Secret clearance

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Master's Degree in a technical field or MBA with BS in technical field
• 10 years of relevant management experience.
• Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
• Has personally led production factories with operations management background.
• AS9145 APQP/PPAP knowledge with implementation and maintenance internally through the product life cycle.
• Approachable hands-on style with the ability to engage with people at all levels of management. Customer experience and Quality Excellence.
• Demonstrated track record of recruiting, retaining and promoting talent and creating a high performing organization.
• Must be able to demonstrate accomplishments in setting strategic direction, prioritizing tasks, overcoming obstacles, and achievement with high priority.
• Active Secret or higher clearances

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $150370 - $255630

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 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. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems’ game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere – from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact – for our customers and the communities we serve.