Job DescriptionIn Controls & Avionics Solutions, you will have the opportunity to help define and develop the next generation of technology that enables safe and efficient transportation in the air and on the ground - whether it is fly-by-wire flight controls, full authority digital engine controls, electrified drive systems, or power management.
BAE Systems is seeking a business Area Quality Director to support our Controls & Avionics Business area (CAS). Reporting to the Vice President of Quality in the Electronic Systems Sector (ES), this resource will lead quality control and assurance, continuous improvement, and champion lifecycle management. In this role, you will work closely with senior leadership to provide proactive, value-added solutions that deliver confidence in our development programs, factory operations, and supply chain performance; and, most critically, delight our customers. The successful candidate:
- Promotes world-class operational execution through the entirety of the value chain and product life cycle with a demonstrated ability to deliver measurable improvements in quality performance, cost reduction, and innovative solutions.
- Builds and leads high-performing teams that work together to achieve common goals across a diverse footprint. Brings an agile leadership style and can shift between strategic visionary, coach and decisive executor depending on what the situation demands.
- Has a proven track record of 'left shifting' quality into designs and development.
- Advances Quality Management Systems for the business that meets and exceeds customer and regulatory requirements.
- Possesses executive-level communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships and influence without direct authority. Thrives in a dynamic, highly matrixed environment. Quickly responds to changing customer and market demands with confidence and credibility.
- Demonstrates ability to leverage and develop their team to drive accountability for resolving technical challenges and ensuring successful tactical execution while simultaneously owning and advancing strategic quality vision for the business.
Key responsibilities include:
- Provide direction, supervision, and guidance to ensure alignment with quality policy, strategic objectives of the business and function, and organization goals that drive a Quality First mindset.
- Collaborate with senior business leadership for strategic planning, execution, and management of critical business performance, process improvements, and other strategic initiatives.
- Build and develop a highly capable quality organization by recruiting, organizing and developing a team to meet current and future business needs.
- Champion innovative ideas impacting affordability and producibility on the factory floor.
- Oversee the development and implementation of high-impact program quality plans and processes that drive consistency, reduce risk, and support program execution.
- Review, analyze, and resolve quality discrepancies with urgency and rigor, ensuring stakeholder awareness and sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
- Serve as a passionate practitioner of lean principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and data-drive analysis that elevates business performance.
- Demonstrate strong organizational leadership - effectively marshal resources to get things done, orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish goals, leverage matrixed resources, and arrange information in a useful manner.
- Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations to minimize risk to employees, customers, and the enterprise - ensure products conform to established company and regulatory performance and quality standards.
- Maintain quality standard registrations across the business, controls and drives productive work processes.
Required Skills and Education- Bachelor's Degree
- 15 years of relevant leadership experience in Engineering, Operations, and Quality, preferably with 7+ years as a Quality Director
- 10 years of project, program and portfolio Quality Leadership and management experience in regulated industries, such as automotive or aerospace, commercial and defense, hardware and software
- 5 years of experience with Best-in-Class Manufacturing Principles, techniques, and Zero-Defect tools and processes
- Exhibits a high degree of technical credibility and communicates highly technical information in a simplistic and easily understandable way.
- LSS Green Belt certification
- Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) proficiency with read across to drive sustainable preventative improvements.
- Demonstrated mastery of the functional domain in Quality Sciences, strategies, standards and controls. Ability to guide implementation in appropriate applications through design and development into a high-mix/low-volume manufacturing and supply base.
- Knowledge of industry Quality Management Systems, including AS9100, ISO9001, AS13100, IATF16949.
- Strong written, analytical, and verbal communication skills
- APQP/PPAP experience, implementation and maintenance internally through the product life cycle and with partner suppliers
- Collaborative, project management skills
- Capable of influencing a wide range of audiences, demonstrated leadership skills to win support without direct reporting structure
- Formulate strategic vision, define implementation plan of action, execute to achieve success
- Track record of building teams across multiple locations with high levels of Quality acumen
- Ability to obtain a US Secret clearance
- Ability to travel domestically (up to 30%) with a home office in one of the major CAS Business Area locations preferring Fort Wayne, Indiana, with an option of Endicott, New York.
Preferred Skills and Education- Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering or technical field
- Master's Degree in an Engineering or technical field
- Black Belt Certification
- ASQ CMQ, CQE certification or similar
- Approachable hands-on style with the ability to engage with people at all levels of management promoting Customer Experience and Quality Excellence
- Experience in leading matrixed direct and indirect teams
- 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, taking accountability, prioritizing tasks, overcoming obstacles, and achievement with high priority.
