Principal Aerospace Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Principal Aerospace Supplier Quality Engineer
Requisition ID: 1830
Position Location: Chantilly, VA
Position Reports To: Manager, Quality
Supervises Others: No

At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right-sized development processes to create innovative, high-performance space-based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs.

We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation effects mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.

Position Summary

The Principal Aerospace Supplier Quality Engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring that all suppliers meet our high standards for quality and compliance. This position involves working closely with suppliers, as well as internal engineering and quality teams, to establish strong quality benchmarks, enhance supplier performance, and foster continuous improvement throughout the supply chain. Additionally, the role includes responsibilities such as auditing, inspecting, and qualifying suppliers, while also supporting initiatives for new product introduction and development.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and uphold supplier quality standards to ensure alignment with company policies, regulatory mandates, and industry norms.
• Conduct thorough supplier audits, which include initial qualification assessments and regular follow-up inspections, to evaluate and enhance supplier quality systems.
• Drive root cause analysis and implement corrective actions in collaboration with suppliers to effectively address quality issues and prevent future occurrences.
• Work hand in hand with suppliers on quality improvement initiatives, guiding them to create processes that meet our company’s standards.
• Review and approve supplier-issued Certificates of Conformance (CoC) to confirm compliance with specified requirements, particularly for specialized items like development kits that are not used in final products.
• Lead cross-functional teams in assessing supplier risks, monitoring quality, and qualifying both new and existing suppliers.
• Provide technical support to suppliers for quality-related challenges, ensuring consistent processes and quality outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams—such as engineering, procurement, and quality assurance—to align our supplier quality management strategies with the broader goals of the company.
• Establish and communicate key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess supplier performance and take action to implement necessary improvement strategies as needed.
• Potentially travel up to 5% - 10% to supplier locations for audits.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, or related field (or equivalent experience / combined education)
• 12+ years of related experience OR 10+ years with a graduate degree (OR 16+ years in lieu of a degree)
• Experience in supplier quality engineering, quality assurance, or a related field, preferably in a regulated industry (e.g., aerospace, automotive, medical devices)

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma certifications
• Quality Assurance experience in a regulated field (e.g., aerospace, automotive, medical devices)
• Working knowledge of quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100), statistical process control, root cause analysis, and risk management methodologies

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $95,000 - $176,000

Please Note: Actual compensation offered will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, internal equity, business considerations, and geographic location where applicable.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Basic life with AD&D
  • Short term disability
  • Long term disability
  • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
  • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including company match)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
• Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Trident Solutions is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact View email address on ziprecruiter.com .

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)