Principal, Quality Engineering- AI Lead

Job Title: Principal, Quality Engineering – Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lead

Job Code: 45762

Job Location: Remote or Onsite at Huntsville, AL; Orange, VA; Camden, AR; Canoga Park, CA; Amityville, NY; Mason, OH; or Richardson, TX

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

Job Description:

L3Harris Missile Solutions is seeking a Leader for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Quality to develop and execute the segment’s strategy for AI/ML governance, verification, and validation. Reporting to the Director of Quality Engineering, this role defines quality frameworks ensuring AI/ML models, computer vision systems, and automated inspection technologies meet mission-critical requirements. The position partners closely with Executive Leadership, Data Science, Software Engineering, Operations, and site Quality teams to support the safe deployment and lifecycle management of AI-enabled tools. The ideal candidate brings experience implementing quality processes for software-intensive or AI-driven systems and leading cross-functional technical initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement AI/ML quality strategies and validation frameworks to assess model and software behavior across Missile Solutions applications.
• Establish and maintain data governance practices, including data quality controls, labeling accuracy, drift monitoring, and bias prevention.
• Define measurable performance metrics and acceptance criteria for AI applied to mission-critical or defect-detection systems.
• Lead verification and validation (V&V) activities for AI/ML models, including adversarial testing, stress testing, and edge-case simulation.
• Adapt traditional quality and risk tools to intelligent systems, including FMEA development and mitigation planning for machine-learning-specific failure modes.
• Oversee quality frameworks for automated inspection systems, including validation of sensor calibration, metrology data ingestion, and synthetic data pipelines.
• Govern post-deployment quality practices such as regression testing, drift thresholds, and monitoring/retraining workflows.
• Align internal AI engineering practices with emerging standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 42001, NIST AI RMF).
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, internal quality systems, and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.
• Up to 30% travel may be required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or related technical field with 12 years of prior relevant experience; OR Graduate Degree with 10 years of prior related experience; OR in lieu of a degree, 16 years of related experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience leading technical projects, cross-functional initiatives, or engineering teams.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in verification, validation, testing, or quality management of software-intensive systems, AI/ML models, or analytics pipelines.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Experience in manufacturing or quality in defense, aerospace, automotive, or similar industries.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities.
• ASQ CSQE or CQE certification.
• Training or certification in AI governance or trustworthy AI frameworks.
• Experience with data validation frameworks for drift and anomaly detection.
• Familiarity with quality flow-down requirements for prime defense contractors.
• Understanding of APQP, manufacturing risk management, Six Sigma, and LEAN principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C. area, Denver, or NYC areas is $139,500 – $259,500. The salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, Cleveland Ohio, Vermont and Virginia is $121,500 – $225,500. 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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