Principal Quality Engineer

Overview

PRINCIPAL QUALITY ENGINEER High-Integrity, Regulated Manufacturing NPI & Major Projects Safety-Critical

This isn't your standard quality role. This isn't just oversight. This is principal-level ownership of quality across New Product Introduction and major, safety-critical projects.

If you're a senior professional who thrives in regulated, high-integrity manufacturing, lives and breathes APQP and PPAP, and wants authority and impact at the highest level—this role is for you.

Your Mission:
As Principal Quality Engineer, you'll be the technical quality leader across multiple projects, embedded within engineering and manufacturing teams. Your influence ensures that products are delivered right first time, fully compliant, and traceable from prototype to volume production.

• Lead NPI and major project quality strategy
• Oversee APQP delivery from concept through production
• Own PPAP readiness, submission, and customer approval
• Direct non-conformance investigations, containment, and corrective actions
• Mentor and guide other engineers in quality execution
• Ensure adherence to safety, regulatory compliance, and accreditation standards
• Shape cross-functional teams with quality best practice and technical authority

• Full APQP lifecycle leadership across complex projects
• PPAP compilation, submission, and regulatory approval (typically Level
  3)
• NPI quality delivery from prototype to volume production
• Non-conformance management, root cause investigation, and corrective action
• Internal, external, and supplier audits

• Core quality tools: FMEA, MSA, SPC, capability studies
• Statistical validation and analysis
• Lifetime records, traceability, and material certification
• Special processes (welding, NDE, coatings)
• Engineering vs manufacturing controls in regulated environments

• You've operated in regulated, high-integrity sectors, such as:
• Nuclear
• Aerospace
• Defence
• Pressure equipment
• Safety-critical industries

A strong safety culture, regulatory mindset, and nuclear or high-integrity experience is essential.

• Supplier quality roles without APQP leadership
• Low-regulation or unregulated manufacturing
• Theoretical APQP knowledge without proven project delivery