Director of Quality Engineering

Apex Systems; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Systems is seeking an onsite Director of Quality Engineering in Washington, DC for a full-time, permanent role. The position requires Top Secret DOW clearance eligibility and a first-shift schedule.

The Director will lead the QMS, drive APQP, and mentor quality teams across engineering and operations. Responsibilities include audits, CAPA, and coordinating external quality reviews, while ensuring quality across drawings, specs, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (Systems/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering).
• 16+ years of manufacturing, engineering, quality, or QA/QC leadership experience.
• Experience as a Quality Manager or similar leadership role.
• Extensive experience implementing, auditing, and improving QMS.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001:2015, APQP, Lean, Six Sigma, CAPA.
• Experience leading cross-functional quality initiatives across engineering, manufacturing, supplier, subcontractor, and testing environments.
• Experience conducting internal and external audits and supporting certification programs.
• Ability to read, interpret, and review engineering drawings, specs, and documentation.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Establish quality processes, procedures, and standards across functions.
• Drive APQP methodologies throughout projects and production.
• Mentor quality engineers and QA personnel.
• Coordinate audits, inspections, testing activities, and external quality reviews.
• Review engineering deliverables for quality compliance.
• Manage CAPA programs and root cause investigations.
• Support cross-functional teams to meet quality objectives.

Skills

Quality leadership

QMS implementation

Audits

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

ISO 9001:2015

APQP

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

CAPA

Job description

Job#: 3046262

Job Description:

Apex Systems is looking to hire an ONSITE Director of Quality Engineering for our client based out of Washington, DC.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity.

This will also have a first‑shift Monday–Friday schedule.

Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret DOW clearance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the organization's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Establish quality processes, procedures, work instructions, and standards across manufacturing, engineering, and operational functions.
• Drive implementation of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) methodologies and quality best practices throughout project execution and production activities.
• Manage and mentor quality engineers and quality control personnel, promoting proactive quality ownership throughout the business.
• Partner with project, engineering, and operations teams to ensure quality requirements are understood, implemented, and maintained.
• Perform quality audits and assessments to evaluate process maturity, compliance, and effectiveness.
• Lead quality initiatives and continuous improvement programs to strengthen operational performance and customer satisfaction.
• Review engineering deliverables including drawings, specifications, technical documentation, and submittals to ensure compliance with quality requirements.
• Manage discrepancy notices, corrective action reports, corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs, and root cause investigations.
• Coordinate third‑party audits, inspections, testing activities, and external quality reviews.
• Participate in operational review meetings to ensure quality risks and issues are identified, communicated, and resolved.
• Assess project performance against quality objectives and provide guidance and support to project teams.
• Develop and institutionalize quality policies, procedures, standards, and work instructions.
• Manage compliance efforts and external audits related to quality and process certifications.

Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 16+ years of manufacturing, engineering, quality, or QA/QC leadership experience.
• Experience serving as a Quality Manager, QA/QC Manager, Engineering Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Project Manager, or similar leadership role.
• Extensive experience implementing, auditing, and improving Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Strong knowledge of:
  • ISO 9001:2015
  • Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Six Sigma
  • Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) methodologies
• Experience leading quality initiatives across engineering, manufacturing, supplier, subcontractor, and testing environments.
• Demonstrated experience conducting internal and external audits and supporting certification programs.
• Ability to read, interpret, and review engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem‑solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in collaborative, cross‑functional environments.

Nice to Have:

• Experience within construction, manufacturing, industrial, aerospace, defense, infrastructure, or mission‑critical environments.
• Professional certifications such as:
  • ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
  • Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Experience supporting compliance initiatives related to:
  • ISO 27001
  • CMMI
  • UL standards
• Experience managing enterprise‑wide quality improvement programs.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at [email protected] or 844-463-6178.