Quality Engineering Technical Lead

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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.

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Leidos’ Defense Systems Mission Assurance is seeking a Quality Technical Lead to join our team to be responsible for supporting Quality activities and team members. The Quality Technical Lead is responsible for leading and supporting quality assurance, compliance, inspection, and continuous improvement activities within a defense manufacturing and engineering environment. This role ensures products, processes, and documentation comply with customer requirements, government regulations, contractual obligations, and applicable industry standards including AS9100, ISO 9001, DFARS, ITAR, and related defense quality requirements.

The ideal candidate possesses strong technical expertise in quality systems, root cause analysis, manufacturing processes, supplier quality management, and defense contract compliance. This position works closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, program management, and customers to maintain product integrity and mission readiness.

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

Leidos Defense Systems 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. To explore and learn more, click here!

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Primary Responsibilities.

Quality Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, customer specifications, and U.S. defense industry requirements.
• Interpret and implement contractual quality clauses, military specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal, customer, and government audits including DCMA and DCAA interactions.
• Maintain quality procedures, work instructions, inspection plans, and quality records.
• Monitor compliance with ITAR, DFARS, counterfeit parts prevention, and configuration management requirements.

Technical Quality Support

• Provide technical expertise related to manufacturing quality, product validation, inspection methods, and process control.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and technical data packages for quality requirements.
• Lead failure investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Utilize quality tools including FMEA, SPC, 8D, Fishbone Diagrams, Pareto Analysis, and Control Plans.
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) activities in accordance with AS9102 requirements.

Supplier Quality & Risk Management

• Evaluate and monitor supplier quality performance and compliance.
• Conduct supplier audits and qualification assessments.
• Review supplier corrective actions and implement risk mitigation strategies.
• Support incoming inspection and supplier nonconformance resolution.
• Program & Production Support
• Participate in program reviews, readiness assessments, and production meetings.
• Support production operations to ensure conformance to customers and contractual requirements.
• Assist with MRB (Material Review Board) activities and disposition of nonconforming material.
• Coordinate with engineering and manufacturing teams to improve process capability and product reliability.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead quality improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, scrap, rework, and process variation.
• Analyze quality metrics and develop action plans to improve operational performance.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives.
• Train personnel on quality standards, procedures, and best practices.

Basic Qualifications.  

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related field.
• 12+ years of quality assurance or manufacturing quality experience in the defense, aerospace, or regulated manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Experience with defense industry regulations and standards.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Experience performing root cause analysis and corrective action investigations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality documentation systems.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• ASQ certifications such as CQE, CQA, CMQ/OE, or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with DCMA audits and government contract quality requirements.
• Knowledge of IPC standards, MIL-STD requirements, and AS9102 FAI processes.
• ERP/MRP system experience.
• Active or ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

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:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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.