Lead Quality Engineer - Segment FOE Leader

Job Title: Lead, Quality Engineer – Segment FOE Leader

Job Code: 47251

Job Location: Huntsville, AL or Orange, VA

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days- totaling 80 hours worked- and have every other Friday off 

Job Description

The Segment Foreign Object Elimination (FOE) Leader serves as the subject matter expert responsible for leading and advancing the Missile Solutions segment-wide FOE program. This role partners with site leadership and quality teams across multiple locations to strengthen FOE culture, ensure compliance with industry and customer requirements, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that mitigate risk and support mission success. The position provides strategic oversight, technical guidance, training, and assessment activities to ensure the highest standards of product quality and operational excellence are maintained across the segment. Acting as an independent advocate for quality and FOE compliance, this leader plays a critical role in risk mitigation and mission assurance for all supplied hardware.

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive segment-wide Foreign Object Elimination (FOE) program, including standards, procedures, metrics, assessments, and training.
• Conduct technical assessments of site FOE programs and Foreign Object Control Areas (FOCAs) to evaluate compliance, effectiveness, and risk mitigation.
• Review and approve FOCA classifications, requirements, and temporary FOE-controlled work areas across multiple operating sites.
• Partner with site leadership and FOE focal representatives to establish, execute, and continuously improve local FOE procedures and compliance practices.
• Develop and deliver recurring FOE awareness and compliance training to maintain segment-wide program effectiveness.
• Evaluate program performance metrics and communicate findings, risks, and improvement opportunities to site and segment leadership.
• Provide oversight and guidance for corrective actions associated with FOE-related findings and compliance concerns.
• Collaborate with site leadership to identify FOE program needs and support the development of site FOE focal representatives.
• Travel up to 30% to support assessments, training, and program implementation activities across multiple locations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 9 years of prior quality, manufacturing, engineering, or Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)/Foreign Object Damage (FOD) prevention experience; or Graduate Degree with 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 13 years of prior quality, manufacturing, engineering, or FOE/FOD prevention experience.  

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience with NAS412 Foreign Object Damage (FOD) Prevention standard.
• Familiarity with SAE AS9146, Foreign Object Damage (FOD) Prevention Program Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defense Organizations.
• Familiarity with DoD 4145.26-M and ammunition and explosives safety requirements.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide or multi-site quality, compliance, or operational excellence initiatives.
• Recognition as a technical resource in the development and execution of quality systems or manufacturing operations programs.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, and developing technical professionals and site representatives.
• Participation in professional organizations or technical committees, including SAE, ASQ, customer advisory groups, NASA, MDA MAP/PMAP, or similar industry forums.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or other relevant industry certification.
• Experience performing audits, assessments, or compliance reviews in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or other highly regulated environments.