Program Quality Associate Director

Date Posted:

2026-02-23

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-9020 ~ 9020 S Rita Rd ~ BLDG 9020

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and The Raytheon Mission – To Deliver for All of Those Who Defend All of Us. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

Delivering for all of those who defend all of us

The Advanced Effectors and Space (AES) Sub-SBU (SSBU) is part of the Raytheon Advanced Technology (AT) Strategic Business Unit (SBU). AT is Raytheon’s capability incubator, fueling the future of defense. From cutting-edge components to full-scale solutions, early ideation to production readiness, seabed to space, we come together to shape the systems and solutions that advance defense.

We are currently seeking a seasoned professional for our Program Quality Associate Director position. The selected candidate will work in Tucson, Arizona.

The Program Quality Associate Director , for the Advanced Effectors and Space (AES) Sub-SBU will be responsible for promoting and leading a robust and collaborative quality culture for the business. The AES QPD will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of strategic quality improvements for the business and will lead a team of up to 25 direct and indirect matrixed employees. In collaboration with Engineering, Supply Chain and Operations, they will also be responsible for advanced quality leadership in proposal and capture strategy development, startup planning, developing robust New Product Introduction (NPI), Manufacturing (MRA) and Technology (TRA) Readiness Assessment and product Transition to Production (TTP) strategies

This role will be the primary Quality & Mission Assurance (QMA) interface for the customers, internal factories and suppliers, ensuring the effective implementation of all the QMA requirements of the program, and providing oversight and coordination to the suppliers supporting program requirements.

This is an onsite only position in Tucson, Arizona.

A U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance. Additional security clearances or special program access is required in this role. Ability to obtain and maintain additional program access is required.

What You Will Do:

• Oversee the shaping of the technical and management baseline, early in pursuit, to enable delivery of solutions optimized to balance technical performance, schedule, quality, and affordability. Ensuring inclusion of quality scope, plans, and budgets in program estimates and proposals.
• Engage on both strategic and tactical levels, focusing on quality, cost and schedule performance, early engagement, influencing and providing differentiating quality value to program teams and customers.
• Develop and implement strategic and tactical QMA plans at the portfolio level that will directly affect the programs execution and influence on-time delivery.
• Technical and Process Risk and Opportunity Management that enables positive program and contract performance
• Responsible for quality of delivered products and services to our customers, management of quality risks, uncertainties and opportunities, leadership in resolution of customer expectations and relationships related to QMA.
• Develop and grow a team of Program Quality Leads.
• Prime QMA interface with the program, customers, and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
• Responsible for guidance, leadership, and oversight on all matters pertaining to AES business including resourcing, technical quality and financial performance, and compliance with Raytheon procedures and contractual requirements.
• Establish effective relationships with internal and external customers with the ability to manage and influence across multiple levels of stakeholders.
• Primary QMA liaison on all matters pertaining to requirements definition, technical quality, and program implementation decisions.
• Identify and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives for processes and command media using significant conceptualizing, reasoning, and interpretation skills.
• Responsible for effective Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and Failure Review and Corrective Action System (FRACAS) activities for systemic issues and to ensure extensive RCCA.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of twelve (12) years documented manufacturing, quality or design engineering experience within the defense industry.
• Experience with Raytheon Lifecycle Program Management (RLPM), Integrated Product Development System (IPDS) or similar gate management processes.
• Working experience planning, executing and addressing compliance with the requirements of a QMS system aligned to AS9100
• Working experience executing contracts/projects within cost, schedule, and technical performance constraints - including working experience with cost accounting methodologies (Earned Value Management (EVMS) Certification).
• Experience with estimating and bidding new business proposals, including Basis of Estimate (BOE) writing and approval Certification
• Minimum 3 years’ customer interface management experience (i.e., Acquisition Customers and Program Offices, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).
• Experience interfacing and communicating with executive level internal and external customers, and suppliers.
• Experience solving highly and highly visible technical failure investigations, developing robust corrective action plans and / or membership in failure review board
• Working experience in both production and design phases of a program – with working experience in a related production discipline in operations, supply chain, engineering, or quality.
• Active and transferrable final U.S. government issued Secret security clearance is required prior to start date with the ability to obtain program access after start. US citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Master’s or Advanced Degree is a plus.
• American Society of Quality (ASQ) Certification.
• Six Sigma, Lean or Customer Oriented Results and Excellence (CORE) Champion Certification or greater.
• Experience leading a geographically diverse team.
• Working experience in design and development within systems, hardware (electrical or mechanical), supplier or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience deploying elements of NPI, APQP (DFMEA, KC, PFD, PFMEA etc.) on development programs
• Experience in the DoD acquisition processes and contracting vehicles
• Experience with contract flow and compliance.
• Experience working with cross-functional, cross-disciplined teams at all levels.
• Experience using communication skills – both written and verbal.
• Active and transferable final U.S. government issued Top Secret security clearance

What We Offer :

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
• Whether you’re just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs.

• Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care.

Learn More & Apply Now!

Onsite : Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

Clearance Information: Clearance Information: This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: 

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 157,200 USD - 298,800 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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