Principal Quality Engineer

Katalyst HealthCares and Life Sciences

$110K — $130K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Biomedical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Electrical, Chemical, or related discipline)
  • 8+ years of Quality Engineering experience in a regulated manufacturing environment
  • Strong knowledge of FDA regulations, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, and cGMP requirements
  • Hands-on experience with process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) and statistical analysis
  • Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies
  • Excellent root cause analysis skills utilizing tools like 8D, Fishbone, and 5 Whys
  • Experience leading cross-functional projects and mentoring engineering teams

Responsibilities

  • Lead quality engineering activities for product development and manufacturing
  • Develop and execute quality strategies in compliance with relevant regulations
  • Drive root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions
  • Lead risk management activities including DFMEA and PFMEA
  • Review engineering change orders, design documentation, and quality records
  • Support design control activities such as Design Verification & Validation
  • Analyze quality metrics to implement continuous improvement initiatives

Benefits

  • Mentorship and coaching opportunities to enhance team skills
  • Exposure to cross-functional collaboration with various departments
  • Involvement in high-impact projects that drive operational excellence
  • Opportunities to lead and shape compliance strategies
  • Engagement in continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Six Sigma
Full Job Description
Job Description:
We are seeking an experienced Principal Quality Engineer to lead quality engineering initiatives that ensure compliance, product quality, and continuous improvement across manufacturing and product development processes. The ideal candidate will provide technical leadership in quality systems, risk management, validation, CAPA, supplier quality, and regulatory compliance while partnering with cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead quality engineering activities supporting product development, manufacturing, and sustaining engineering.
  • Develop and implement quality strategies that comply with FDA, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Drive root cause investigations and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) using structured problem-solving methodologies.
  • Lead risk management activities including DFMEA, PFMEA, risk assessments, and mitigation plans.
  • Review and approve engineering change orders (ECOs), design documentation, validation protocols, and quality records.
  • Support design control activities including Design Verification & Validation (V&V), Design Reviews, and Design History Files (DHF).
  • nalyze quality metrics and implement continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Six Sigma and statistical tools.
  • Lead process validation activities including IQ, OQ, PQ, and process capability studies.
  • Collaborate with Manufacturing, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and Operations to resolve quality issues.
  • Provide technical leadership during internal, customer, and regulatory audits.
  • Mentor and coach Quality Engineers and cross-functional teams on quality best practices.
  • Support supplier qualification, supplier audits, and supplier quality improvement initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with cGMP, FDA Quality System Regulation (21 CFR Part 820/QMSR), and applicable international standards.

Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Biomedical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Electrical, Chemical, or related discipline).
  • 8+ years of Quality Engineering experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
  • Strong knowledge of FDA regulations, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, and cGMP requirements.
  • Experience with Design Controls, Risk Management (ISO 14971), CAPA, Client, and change management.
  • Hands-on experience with process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), statistical analysis, SPC, MSA, and capability studies.
  • Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Excellent root cause analysis skills utilizing 8D, Fishbone, 5 Whys, and similar tools.
  • Experience leading cross-functional projects and mentoring engineering teams.
  • Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
  • SQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
  • Experience in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, aerospace, automotive, or other highly regulated industries.
  • Experience supporting FDA inspections and ISO certification audits.
  • Knowledge of validation documentation, statistical software (Minitab), and quality management systems.

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