Director of Quality Operations

Job Description
See what you're missing. Our employees work on the world's most advanced electronics - from detecting threats for F-35 pilots to illuminating the night for soldiers. Spanning air, land, sea, and space, we are developing the technology of tomorrow, delivered today. Drawing strength from our differences, we're innovating for the future. And you can, too. Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. We put our customers first - exemplified by our mission: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us®." Sound like a team you want to be a part of? Come build your career with BAE Systems.
BAE Systems is seeking a Director of Quality Operations, reporting to the Sr. Director of Quality in the Electronic Combat Systems Business Area. The selected candidate will lead the teams responsible for quality assurance, inspection and continuous improvement Quality activities across NH-based factories, from Incoming Inspection, through multiple highly automated Microwave and circuit card assembly factories through EW-IMC production as well as the Sustainment Center.
The Director of Quality Operations has significant cross-functional influence, and requires the ability to partner across factories, functions, and programs to provide strategic thought leadership as well as proactive, execution-focused solutions that create value for our Customers, Programs and Business.
Key responsibilities include:

• Lead diverse work force including 150 exempt and non-exempt employees to determine strategy and tactical deployment that improve execution with reduced cost of poor quality, championing innovative ideas to drive enhanced affordability, production factory floor capability, and quality tool maturation for both new product release and in mature program process modernization initiatives. Provide direction, supervision, and guidance to ensure alignment with quality policy, strategic objectives and organization goals that drive to Zero Defect plans and Strategy.
• Provide AS9145 thought leadership to factory floors, serve as champion for APQP/PPAP implementation and maintenance throughout the product life cycle from design to production. Build capability and drive best practices in SPC, FMEA, KCs, APQP, MSA, and effective control planning that result in favorable impacts at the business area level.
• Collaborate with factory management for planning, execution, and management of risk mitigation, process improvements, and compliant process implementation and assurance.
• Ensure products conform to established company and regulatory performance and quality standards. Manage compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and minimize risk to employees and liability to the Business Area and Operations.
• Develop, recruit and align a highly capable quality assurance staff that partners seamlessly with Operations, Engineering and Programs to enhance the customer experience and support business area and factory needs through quality improvement.
• Develop and implement guidance for work plans as well as acceptance criteria across the factories.
• Investigate problems and develop disposition and corrective actions for discrepancies using proven RCCA techniques and driving sustainable preventive improvements.
• Flawlessly implement corrective actions, dispositions, process optimization and modifications - makes the news, doesn't just report the news.
• Encourage high level collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Marshal resources to achieve challenging requirements, orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal, use matrixed resources effectively and efficiently, and arrange information in a useful manner.

The successful candidate:

• Possess knowledge of Program Quality and Lifecycle Management establishing the foundation of the business knowledge required to effectively understand the wide span of control associated with product quality at incoming inspection, factories and sustainment.
• Exhibit technical credibility including but not limited to the quality sciences, frameworks and tools (L6S, etc.) with ability to communicate highly technical information in a simplistic and easily understandable way.
• Enjoys working with and coaching quality managers and supervisors to continuously improve and execute successfully across span of responsibility including incoming inspection, factories and sustainment.
• Has the ability to effectively understand the program needs and align workforce across span of control to meet operations, customer and business needs.
• Possess strong communication and presentation skills to facilitate effective communication at all levels of the organization and across multiple cultures.
• Is a hands-on leader with experience leading large and diverse teams (200+) including exempt and non-exempt employees. willing to take responsibility for resolving technical challenges, ensuring successful tactical execution, as well as creating and implementing the strategic vision focused on continuous improvement.
• Has an agile leadership style and able to adjust one's approach to fit the situation as a driver, coach, mentor, and teacher.
• Is familiar with various industry standards used throughout the manufacturing floors including J-STD-001/MIL-STD-883/MIL-PRF-38534/IPC610C and other applicable standards.
• Can quickly evaluate organizational effectiveness and build teams working together to achieve common goals.
• Is a visible, influential leader who takes a collaborative approach with others and comes across as approachable.
• Relates well with individuals at all levels of the organization, builds appropriate rapport, constructive and effective relationships.
• Can diffuse even high-tension situations effectively.
• Has experience managing department budgets and utilization, and possesses a strong working knowledge of lifecycle management, program and business operations.
• Has personally led production factories.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Active Secret clearance
• Bachelor's Degree
• Experience in Engineering, Operations, or Quality
• Experience as a Quality Director as well as project, program and portfolio leadership / management experience in regulated industries, such as automotive or aerospace, commercial and defense hardware and software technology risk management
• Experience leading large and diverse teams
• LSS Green Belt
• 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 high-mix/low-high volume manufacturing and supply chain.
• Strong written, analytical, and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative, project management skills
• Experience with best-in-class manufacturing principles, techniques, and Zero-Defect tools and processes
• Capable of influencing a wide range of audiences, demonstrated leadership skills to win support without direct reporting structure
• History of formulating strategic vision, definition of implementation plan of action, culminating in successful execution
• Track record of building teams with high levels of Quality acumen

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering or Technical Field and a minimum of 12+ years relevant experience in Engineering, Operations, or Quality, with 5 years as a Quality Director and 10 years of project, program and portfolio leadership / management experience in regulated industries, such as automotive or aerospace, commercial and defense hardware and software technology risk management.
• Master's Degree
• Experience leading large and diverse teams of over 200 exempt and non-exempt employees.
• 5 years of experience with best-in-class manufacturing principles, techniques, and Zero-Defect tools and processes.
• Black Belt certification
• AS9145 APQP/PPAP experience with implementation and maintenance internally through the product life cycle and with partner suppliers.
• Direct experience in factory operations management.
• Approachable hands-on style with the ability to engage with people at all levels of management. 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, prioritizing tasks, overcoming obstacles, and achievement with high priority.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $169630 - $288370
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.