Director, Quality Engineering & AI Integration

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L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Director, Quality Engineering & AI Integration

Job Code: 35615

Job Location: Huntsville, AL, Camden, AR, Orange, VA, Canoga Park, CA Mason, OH or Amityville, NY

Job Schedule: Varies By Location

Job Description:

As the Director of Quality Engineering for L3Harris' Missile Solutions Segment, you will serve as the Chief Quality Engineer, across all 16 sites in the Missile Solutions sites. This senior leadership role is responsible for driving technical quality excellence, process standardization, risk-based engineering approaches, and the development and deployment of application-specific AI tools to enhance quality engineering capabilities, efficiency, and predictive performance.

You will oversee a distributed team while spearheading innovative AI initiatives—such as AI-driven defect detection, predictive quality analytics, automated root cause analysis, inspection data processing, and process optimization—to support high-reliability missile propulsion, precision strike, hypersonics, seekers, fuzes, sensors, and related systems. This position is instrumental in accelerating production ramp-ups, achieving zero-defect goals, and advancing mission assurance for critical DoD programs in a multi-site, high-growth environment.

Essential Functions:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for Quality Engineering across all 16 Missile Solutions sites, ensuring standardized, best-in-class practices and tools.

• Lead recruitment, development, mentoring, and performance management of a multi-site Quality Engineering team in a distributed, matrixed organization.

• Develop and execute enterprise-wide quality engineering strategies, policies, and processes in alignment with AS9100, DoD/customer requirements, and business objectives.

• Oversee core quality engineering functions: design assurance, PFMEA/APQP/PPAP, SPC, GD&T, MSA, risk-based quality planning, and verification/validation across product lifecycles.

• Drive enterprise standardization of quality engineering methods, metrics, and continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma) to boost first-time yield, reduce defects, and lower cost of poor quality.

• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Test teams to embed quality engineering in design, development, production, and sustainment.

• Lead advanced problem-solving and corrective/preventive actions (e.g., 8D, fishbone, Pareto) for technical issues, ensuring systemic prevention across sites.

• Establish and report enterprise-level quality engineering KPIs, dashboards, and performance insights to senior leadership for mission assurance and risk management.

• Develop and deploy application-specific AI tools to empower the Quality Engineering team, including AI for predictive defect identification, real-time process monitoring, automated inspection analysis (e.g., computer vision for NDT/ultrasonic data), anomaly detection in manufacturing data, predictive quality forecasting, and intelligent root cause analysis—while ensuring compliance with defense regulations and data security standards.

• Champion adoption of AI-enhanced quality practices to support production scaling, reduce manual effort, and enable proactive quality interventions in high-stakes missile programs.

• Manage internal/external audits, customer/government quality engagements, and full compliance with ITAR, FAR/DFARS, export controls, and other requirements.

• Up to 25% business travel for site support, audits, program reviews, team leadership, and AI tool implementation across the 18 locations.

• Ability to obtain US Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 15 years of prior quality experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 13 years of prior related quality experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 19 years of prior related quality experience.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in quality engineering, technical quality, or related roles within aerospace, defense, propulsion, or high-reliability manufacturing industries.

• 10+ years of hands-on expertise in quality engineering disciplines such as design assurance, process validation, SPC, GD&T, APQP/PPAP, PFMEA, root cause analysis (8D/5-Why), and statistical methods.

• 8+ years of leadership experience managing quality engineering teams, including multi-site or distributed organizations in complex defense/aerospace environments.

• 5+ years of experience leading quality engineering for manufacturing ramp-ups, process improvements, new product introductions, or high-reliability programs in regulated industries.

• 3+ years demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or leading adoption of AI/ML tools, applications, or data-driven solutions in quality, manufacturing, inspection, or engineering contexts (e.g., predictive analytics, computer vision for defect detection, automated process monitoring, or AI-augmented root cause analysis).

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Proven ability to drive enterprise-wide standardization, continuous improvement, and change management in multi-site environments with strong influencing and executive communication skills.

• Excellent collaboration, communication, and presentation abilities to engage cross-functional teams, senior leadership, customers, and suppliers.

• Experience in missile systems, solid rocket motors, hypersonics, seekers/sensors, fuzes, or related precision defense technologies.

• Hands-on experience with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., Palantir Foundry or industry platforms) applied to quality engineering, non-destructive testing (NDT), or manufacturing data analysis.

• Professional certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), Six Sigma Black Belt, or AI/ML-related credentials (e.g., Certified Artificial Intelligence Practitioner).

• Background with DoD missile propulsion/programs, high-volume production scaling, legacy Aerojet Rocketdyne/L3Harris operations, or AI initiatives in aerospace/defense quality.

• Familiarity with distributed leadership in multi-site environments supporting surge capacity for national defense priorities.

• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $167,000.00 - $310,000.00. The salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, Cleveland Ohio, and Vermont is $145,500.00 - $270,500.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

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