Principal Quality Engineer

Req Id: 334

Germantown, MD, US, 20876

Date: Jul 31, 2026

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI)

Headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, is a U.S. company that has been serving domestic and international defense Air, Land and Sea domains for 60+ years. With over 1,000 employees, TDSI and its four subsidiaries (Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Digital Receiver Technology, Tampa Microwave, and Trusted Cyber Technologies), supports U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces and multi-national partners with a variety of communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar capabilities. TDSI’s key technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, optics and target recognition capability, advanced radars, undersea sensing and missile systems. Lives depend on what we do!

Top Benefits (Subject to terms of applicable policies/plans)

• Competitive Salary
• Yearly Incentive Compensation Plan
• Medical insurance for self and eligible family members
• Generous 401(k) program- up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave
• Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave
• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
• Hybrid working schedule

We currently have an opening for a Principal Quality Engineer at our Germantown, MD campus, focused on our DRT (Digital Receiver Technology) product line. This position reports to the Quality Engineering Manager at TDSI in Clarksburg, MD.

Responsibilities

• Supports the TDSI AS9100 Quality Management System (QMS).
• Leads Quality Engineering activities throughout the product life cycle to include contract review, requirements management, design reviews, verification / validation, and release to production.
• Initiates and drives internal Corrective Actions Requests (CARs) as required.
• Assists Supply Chain Quality Assurance activities to include approving / auditing suppliers, conducting Source Inspections of Hardware / Software and supporting Supplier Corrective Action Request (SCARs).
• Provides interface between Purchasing, Engineering, Program Management, and Manufacturing departments during transition of new products from the design phase to the production phase.
• Supports Program Quality Assurance activities for production programs to include First Article Inspections (FAI), Material Review Board (MRB), Change Control Board (CCB), Failure Review Board (FRB), and Work Product review and approval.
• Manages high-priority tasks of multiple projects simultaneously in development.
• Develops Inspection Plans and processes for Receiving and Final Inspection activities.
• Determines Process Capability (Cpk) and defect trends based on statistical analysis.
• Supports Continuous Improvements initiatives.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• U.S. Citizenship required. - Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• BS Mechanical/ Electrical Engineering or equivalent/related technical degree or experience.
• 8+ years of Quality Engineering experience.
• Proficient in ASME / ANSI Y14.5 with demonstrated ability to read mechanical drawings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electro-mechanical assemblies, IPC standards as well as familiarity with schematics and RF Test equipment.
• Knowledgeable in elements of Software Quality Assurance, automated MRP systems, Cause / Corrective Action systems.
• Excellent English communication skills – written and oral.
• Proficiency in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Proficiency in Requirements and Configuration Management tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Products.
• Proficiency in Minitab.
• Efficiency in SAP and/or CostPoint preferred.
• AS9100/ CMMI experience a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of time domestically.
• Ability to follow and comply with all Company policies, procedures and guidelines including the Compliance Policy Manual and the Code of Ethics.

The annualized pay range for this role is $121,230- $154,905 USD along with a target incentive compensation plan (ICP) of 5%. The pay range provided is a good faith estimate representative of the experience level for the role described above. TDSI considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

For specific questions about this job posting, candidates may contact Talent Acquisition at ***email_hidden***.

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is committed to non-discrimination as applicable under federal, state and local laws. We are an E-Verify Employer.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales Defense & Security, Inc., please call Human Resources at View phone number on us.fitly.work.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC