Principal Quality Engineer
BAE Systems
Manassas, VA · Posted October 23, 2026
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Where Manassas, VA ranks
Where Manassas, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #2Best all-round cities for new graduates in the Southeast67 / 100 · of 33
- #7Best cities for junior jobs in Virginia36% · of 26
- #8Best cities for pay after cost of living in Virginia$137k · of 15
- #8Best all-round cities for new graduates in the Mid-Atlantic63 / 100 · of 37
- #9Cities with the most jobs that need no experience in the Mid-Atlantic1.8% · of 84
- #9Cities with the most jobs that need no experience in the Southeast1.8% · of 84
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among industrial engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for industrial engineers: 4% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
BAE Systems has filed 2 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 174 workers, most recently March 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings
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About the job
Job Description What is it like to work at BAE Systems?" Imagine being part of a team that designs, develops, and delivers cutting-edge products that make a tangible impact on national security and defense. At BAE Systems, you'll collaborate with talented professionals who share your passion for innovation and excellence, and have opportunities to grow and develop your skills in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
BAE Systems Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Systems (C4ISR) business area is seeking a Microcircuit Quality Engineer who will be responsible for ensuring quality, reliability, and compliance of microelectronics components used in high reliability defense and space applications. This role provides technical leadership in component qualification, failure analysis, and compliance with customer, industry, and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate has 6+ years of experience with microelectronics, semiconductor manufacturing processes and military space-level component standards.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills Bachelor's Degree and 4-8+ years of relevant experience or 8-12+ years of relevant experience in lieu of degree
Semiconductor Knowledge: understanding of wafer fabrication, packaging assembly, and testing processes.
Quality Standards: understanding of/familiarity with military and commercial standards (i.e. MIL-STD-883, MIL-PRF-38535, MIL-PRF-38534, AS9100 and ISO 9001)
Quality Assurance: background/experience in Quality Assurance principles
Root Cause Analysis: working knowledge of methodologies like 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone diagrams.
Meticulous Attention to detail: Eye for microscopic defects and subtle data anomalies, swiftly and accurately identify any potential quality concerns.
Cross-Functional, Interpersonal Communication: Ability to bridge the gap between design, production, and external customers and suppliers. Good presentation skills, good writing skills. Report writing (e.g., audit reports, technical reports, qual reports). Review documentation for compliance and for clarity.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a technical field
Reliability Testing: Experience with HTOL (High-Temperature Operating Life), and other TCI/QCI qualification testing. Familiar with mil-standard requirements for qualifications and familiar with reliability mechanisms (hot electrons, TDDB, electromigration, etc.)
Statistical Process Control: Skills in SPC, DoE (Design of Experiments), and AS9145 (FEMA), and AS9102 (PPV and FAI). Data analysis skills can enable a quality engineer to distill data and identify the relevant parts, and to translate data into a more easily understandable format that they can then share with other team members.
Risk Management: Ability to conduct Risk and Opportunity analysis and thorough FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) to prevent defects.
Auditing Confidence: Experience leading internal audits and managing quality assessments.
Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $118095 - $200762
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.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.