Senior Quality Engineer
BAE Systems · Cedar Rapids, IA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Quality
- Base pay
- $88k–$150k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Certification
- Green Belt preferred
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
A senior quality role at BAE Systems (aerospace & defense) in Cedar Rapids, IA. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
- They ask for
- 6+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience) · Green Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Green Belt, GD&T, AS9100, Machining
- Base pay
- $88k–$150k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 7 other live quality postings in Iowa.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (6+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 50%
- ✓ Six Sigma 38%
- FDA / GMP 38%
- Root cause 38%
- ✓ Green Belt 25%
- ✓ GD&T 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at BAE Systems
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- The posting mentions a Green Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: BAE Systems in Cedar Rapids
2 other open roles at this site.
- Industrial Engineer - Logistics · Industrial
- Facilities Engineer Supervisor II · Reliability · Manager
Full description from BAE SystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Process owner of Preliminary Material Review
- ◆Serve as a change agent by identifying process bottlenecks and implementing sustainable improvements to the Preliminary Material Review workflow.
- ◆Use of Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) and other equipment to ensure accurate measurements to document compliance to Engineering Drawings
- ◆Manage resolution of supplied material issues
- ◆Documents dispositions of non-conforming materials provided by Design, Production, Supply Chain, and Engineering in the system of record
- ◆Apply GD&T measurement methodology and measurement tool usage
- ◆Interacts with Industrial Engineering Staff, Component Engineering, Purchasing and
Manufacturing Quality Staff to resolve component issues
- ◆Supports receiving inspection for disposition of suspect materials
- ◆Facilitate Corrective Actions for both material and process improvements
Because of the need for consistent, in-person collaboration and/or the requirement to
perform all work onsite due to the nature of this role, it will be performed full-time
on site. This means work will be conducted on location at a BAE Systems facility 100% of the
time.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- ✓Bachelor's Degree and 2-6+ years of experience or 6-10+ years of experience in lieu of degree
- ✓A basic understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing with ability/willingness to become a Subject Mater Expert
- ✓Ability to learn or knowledge/experience with Coordinate Measuring Machine
- ✓Ability to communicate effectively with peers and touch labor within the company
- ✓Possess excellent written and verbal skills
- ✓Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- ✓Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering or a technical field
- ✓Zeiss/Calypso CMM experience
- ✓AS9100/ISO9000 background
- ✓AS9102 (First Article Inspection) knowledge
- ✓Machining Knowledge and experience
- ✓A working knowledge of process finish specifications
- ✓Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
- ✓Knowledge of skip lots, sampling plans, and/or receiving inspection
- ✓Military / DOD experience
- ✓Oracle Knowledge
- ✓JIRA Knowledge
- ✓RCCA experience
Pay Information
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, Inc. BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description BAE Systems is an industry leader in military GPS technologies, producing state-of-the-art products that ensure our customers remain a step ahead in protecting our Warfighters, national security, and critical infrastructure. Committed to long-term investment in the development of specialized skills to uphold these core values, BAE Systems is seeking a driven Quality Engineer to ensure all sourced materials comply with engineering and industry requirements. We are looking for a proactive change agent—someone who is not content with the status quo and is driven to continuously improve processes, eliminate inefficiencies, and elevate our quality standards.
This position will serve as the process owner of Preliminary Material Review and the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Measurement Metrology and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) on purchased materials. Beyond technical execution, the successful candidate will act as a catalyst for operational excellence, driving the disposition of suspect non-conforming materials in collaboration with Engineering, Operations, and Procurement teams, analyzing material delivery trends, and performing measurements of internal assemblies and components to support First Article Inspections (FAI) and engineering requirements.
