Program Quality Engineer

Leidos; Iuka (MS); On-site; USD 73,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Sector Mission Assurance seeks a Program Quality Engineer to serve as the quality focal point for assigned programs, implementing the Quality Control system and driving customer satisfaction and conformity across manufacturing and suppliers. The role collaborates with PM, eng, and supply chain to translate requirements into executable plans.

The position emphasizes hands-on problem solving, nonconformance ownership, and continuous improvement, with opportunities to lead 8D/5-Why

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline and four years of hands-on quality engineering experience; or master's with two years of relevant experience.
• Four or more years of hands-on quality engineering experience in manufacturing or product-based environment; eight+ years acceptable in lieu of a degree.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 / ISO 9001 requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Ability to review and provide quality inputs to aviation program manuals, forms, and records.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for presenting technical findings.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the quality engineering point of contact for assigned programs and drive problem identification and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain program quality plans and inspection plans; flowdown quality requirements.
• Review contract quality requirements and identify needed processes, tooling, and documentation.
• Execute and disposition First Article Inspections (FAI/AS9102) and supplier part approvals.
• Develop and maintain quality metrics (process capability, control charts, MSAs).
• Lead root‑cause analysis and structured problem‑solving (8D, 5‑Why, fishbone).
• Build statistical data collection and analysis to surface trends.
• Participate in Material Review Board and disposition nonconforming material.
• Provide day‑to‑day technical direction to Quality Technicians and Inspectors.
• Interact with customers to identify quality improvements and close feedback loops.
• Initiate quality improvement activities (Kaizen, Six Sigma) to raise performance.
• Report quality issues and losses to Quality Management and leadership.
• Support internal and external quality audits (AS9100, customer).
• Collaborate with DCMA and government quality organizations.
• Interface with supplier/customer quality reps on issues and corrective actions.
• Review inputs to aviation program manuals and records.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Quality engineering

GD&T

MS Office

Verbal & written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline

Master's degree with 2 years relevant experience

Tools

Solumina MES

Power BI

Minitab

Job description

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos' Defense Sector Mission Assurance is seeking a Program Quality Engineer to serve as the quality engineering focal point for assigned programs, executing the Quality Control system in a way that drives customer satisfaction and product conformance. In this role you will support quality activities across Manufacturing operations — including First Article Inspection (FAI), supplier part approvals, continuous improvement, and defect reduction — for electromechanical products such as machined parts, mechanical assemblies, composite assemblies, welded assemblies, painted or coated assemblies, and flight hardware fabrication and assemblies.

This is a hands‑on individual contributor role. You will partner with program management, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to translate contract and customer quality requirements into executable quality plans, and you will own the technical problem‑solving behind nonconformances and corrective actions. The position reports to the Sr Quality Manager of Defense Sector Mission Assurance and works closely with Quality Technicians and Inspectors, though the role carries no direct supervisory responsibility.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

About the Sector

Leidos Defense Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large‑scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with "can't fail" missions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the quality engineering point of contact for assigned programs, supporting problem identification, resolution, loss reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain program quality plans, inspection plans, and quality requirement flowdown from contracts to manufacturing and suppliers.
• Review contract quality requirements and identify the processes, tooling, and documentation needed to comply.
• Execute and disposition First Article Inspections (FAI/AS9102) and supplier part approvals.
• Develop and maintain quality metrics — process capability studies, control charts, and measurement system analysis — to monitor Quality Control system effectiveness.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and structured problem‑solving (8D, 5‑Why, fishbone) to identify effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Build and maintain statistical data collection and analysis to surface trends affecting product quality.
• Participate in Material Review Board activities and disposition nonconforming material.
• Provide day‑to‑day technical direction and inspection guidance to Quality Technicians and Inspectors on assigned programs.
• Interact with customers to identify quality improvement opportunities and close the feedback loop with manufacturing and development personnel.
• Initiate and execute quality improvement activities (e.g., Kaizen, Six Sigma) to raise product line performance.
• Report quality issues, trends, and losses to Quality Management and program leadership.
• Support internal and external quality audits, including AS9100 surveillance and customer audits.
• Collaborate with DCMA and other government and/or customer quality assurance organizations.
• Interface with supplier and customer quality representatives on quality issues and verify effective corrective action is implemented.
• Review and provide quality inputs to aviation program manuals, forms, and records.
• All other reasonable duties, as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline and four (4) years of prior relevant experience; or master's degree with two (2) years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of direct experience working in aviation programs in support of defense contracts may be substituted for the degree.
• Four (4+) years of hands‑on quality engineering experience in a manufacturing and/or product‑based environment. Eight (8+) years of relevant experience is acceptable in lieu of a degree.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 / ISO 9001 requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Ability to review and provide quality inputs to aviation program manuals, forms, and records.
• Must be proficient in utilizing Microsoft Office products.
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings to program and customer stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or equivalent certification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience with Solumina or a comparable MES/quality management system.
• Experience building quality dashboards and reporting in Power BI.
• AS9100 internal auditor training or experience.
• Experience with flight hardware, composites, welding, or coatings quality requirements.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis tools such as Minitab.
• Prior experience supporting DCMA or government source inspection activities.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting

August 14, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range

Pay Range $73,450.00 - $132,775.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.