Principal Quality Engineer

Parsons Corporation•Boulder, CO

About The Position

Parsons is seeking a passionate, skilled, and experienced Quality Engineer to join our growing team! This team is dedicated to supporting a government customer in the successful delivery of a military satellite ground system, including ground antenna systems and associated infrastructure. In this role, you will serve as the primary quality authority on-program, embedding quality discipline throughout the full hardware and software development and test lifecycle — from requirement and design reviews through system acceptance and fielding.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI security clearance
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent defense program experience
8+ years of relevant experience providing quality assurance oversight on defense software and hardware programs involving system integration, test, and government acceptance
Working knowledge of and demonstrated experience implementing AS9100 quality management systems on defense programs
Experience managing nonconformance processes and root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone/Ishikawa)
Familiarity with government acquisition processes, defense software and hardware development lifecycles, and applicable standards (MIL-STDs, CDRL deliverables)
Experience reviewing and dispositioning contractor technical submittals, test plans, and quality documentation

Nice To Haves

Experience leading or supporting AS9100 internal and external audits
Direct experience supporting satellite ground systems, ground antenna programs, or space/ground infrastructure programs
Experience supporting formal program reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) in a quality role
Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) through ASQ
Familiarity with configuration management processes including ECPs, deviations, and waivers
Experience with program-level quality metrics and dashboard reporting
Strong interpersonal, leadership, and collaboration skills to work across various engineering groups, management, and customer representatives.

Responsibilities

Serve as Parsons' Lead Quality Engineer for the program, with ownership of all quality assurance activities across hardware and software development, integration, and test phases
Provide quality oversight and mentorship to other Quality Engineers and Quality Assurance Representatives (QARs) supporting the program
Develop, implement, and maintain the Program Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) and all associated quality procedures, work instructions, and inspection criteria tailored to the program
Support development, system integration, acceptance testing, and operational readiness test activities; ensuring test plans, procedures, and results satisfy quality and contractual requirements
Conduct First Article Inspections (FAI), in-process inspections, and final acceptance inspections on hardware assemblies, antenna subsystems, and ground system components
Perform reviews of contractor and supplier submittals, test documentation, and quality deliverables; providing written disposition recommendations to the Program Manager, Chief Systems Engineer, and Quality Manager
Monitor the timeliness of all submittal reviews and quality deliverables to ensure completion within contractually required timeframes; tracking submittal and CDRL status to prevent overdue items
Manage the nonconformance process — initiating, tracking, and dispositioning Discrepancy Reports (DRs) and nonconforming material through root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA)
Monitor contractor and subcontractor procedures for the identification, classification, tracking, resolution, and communication of hardware deficiencies; verifying that proposed corrective actions are appropriate and timely
Conduct preparatory inspections prior to key integration and test events to confirm that prerequisite activities are complete — including approved procedures, calibrated test equipment, qualified personnel, and required documentation
Establish and maintain quality performance metrics, nonconformance trends, and test outcome reporting for program leadership and government customer review
Lead and conduct internal quality audits; supporting customer, DCMA, and government quality surveillance activities
Attend and actively participate in program reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.), working group meetings, and customer meetings to ensure quality requirements are properly flowed down and addressed
Work closely and collaboratively with the program team including Program Manager, Systems Engineers, Test Director, and QA staff to mutually achieve program success