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Principal quality engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

8 min read

Quoted expert

Tracy Farrell

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical principal quality engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for principal quality engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 6.1% of principal quality engineer resumes contained sigma as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a principal quality engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 principal quality engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Sigma

In Greek alphabets, sigma is the 18th letter that means "to sum up". In statistics, the lower case symbol of sigma is the unit of measurement for standard deviation which is used to assess the variability in a given set of data. While the upper case symbol is for summation notation means to add up all the given numbers in the data set.

Here's how principal quality engineers use sigma:

Implement continuous improvement strategies via six sigma methodologies.
Acted as 6 Sigma Project Lead for a lens improvement project that resolved a major quality concern for Kodak Health Imaging.

2. Corrective Action

Here's how principal quality engineers use corrective action:

Performed statistical analysis of trended issues, internal and external, and provided feedback to management and recommended corrective actions.
Guide team determination and implementation of corrective actions for defective product and materials.

3. ISO

Here's how principal quality engineers use iso:

Performed gap assessments and developed risk mitigation strategies for new and updated Global Quality & Regulatory Standards including ISO.
Performed internal ISO audits of various Business Groups in preparation for ISO certification; and worked with them to correct discrepancies.

4. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how principal quality engineers use continuous improvement:

Supported continuous improvement activities through a newly developed and implemented electronic quality assurance data sharing system.
Conducted supplier workshops to identified areas for continuous improvement incorporating metrics to monitor effectiveness.

5. Statistical Analysis

Here's how principal quality engineers use statistical analysis:

Implement inspections methods and sampling plan using risk based analysis including statistical analysis.
Performed scientific validations including DOE's and statistical analysis.

6. Medical Devices

Medical devices refer to apparatus for use in medical procedures.

Here's how principal quality engineers use medical devices:

Performed root-cause analysis and corrective action due to process and equipment related issues of in-house manufactured medical devices.
Supported several major OEM programs including medical devices from new product introduction throughout high volume manufacturing.

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7. Management System

A management system is a set of policies, processes, and procedures taken by an organization or a business to ensure it can fulfill its tasks and achieve its objectives. A management system makes sure that the company excels financially and improves the user experience. The management system also takes care of the worker's and employees' needs and manages their workload and oversees their performance. Apart from interior matters of the company, a management system also deals with exterior matters like legislations, tax matters, and law issues.

Here's how principal quality engineers use management system:

Assured that all products met contractual quality and configuration requirements and complied to Honeywell's Quality Management System.
Improved overall Configuration Management system for better results in maintainability & availability.

8. Product Quality

Product quality is the basic element of a business. It means to add features in a product or service in such a way that it meets the needs and wants of the customers. Enhancing the product quality also means improve the goods from any existing defects to ensure customer satisfaction.

Here's how principal quality engineers use product quality:

Reviewed product quality reports with senior management and sales/marketing departments.
Coordinated with suppliers to resolve product quality issues

9. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how principal quality engineers use java:

Initiated and supervised a replacement design in Java, with additional improvements.
Implemented MM BAT using Rational Functional Tester (RFT) in Java.

10. FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services that regulates the production and sale of food, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, and other consumer goods, as well as veterinary medicine. The FDA is now in charge of overseeing the manufacture of products like vaccines, allergy treatments, and beauty products.

Here's how principal quality engineers use fda:

Served as team member tasked with preparation of clinical trial result package in anticipation of FDA panel presentation for PMA approval.
Involved in NDA submission for brain tumor imaging agent, which was granted FDA approval following a successful FDA NDA audit.

11. QA

QA, or Quality Assurance is a procedure that entails all of the steps taken to avoid any errors in the manufacturing process or in the production of the goods that a company produces. It can also include ensuring the consistency of the services rendered. Quality assurance ensures that the quality of the service delivered to consumers meets or exceeds the promised expectations. This greatly aids in the prevention of any complications that might arise after the goods or services have been distributed. It makes sure that customers are satisfied.

Here's how principal quality engineers use qa:

Evaluate and recommend QA sampling plans based on desired confidence limits, process capabilities, and manufacturing/ inspection methods and equipment.
Provide leadership, guidance and expertise to the QA technology transfer team for the development and execution of qualification strategies.

12. Lean Six Sigma

Here's how principal quality engineers use lean six sigma:

Supervised and coordinated Lean Six Sigma Quality workshops.
Lean Six Sigma - Training instructor for White Belt program, as well as Mentor for Green Belt project leaders.

13. Supplier Quality

Here's how principal quality engineers use supplier quality:

Developed relationships with suppliers to perform supplier quality engagements, proactive assessments, and various qualification and process verification audits.
Facilitated supplier quality development initiatives; conducted supplier assessment audit.

14. Quality System

A quality system is an organizational structure that helps management, procedures, and processes. The quality system helps the company to achieve its goals by following the right procedures. The quality system is usually documented and is based around a manual that defines and controls the system.

Here's how principal quality engineers use quality system:

Assist upper management with strategic planning by analyzing quality system usage across sites and functions for resource planning and identifying inconsistencies.
Provided quality support on system harmonization effort (consolidating multiple quality system into a single quality system).

15. AS9100

Here's how principal quality engineers use as9100:

Developed and maintained AS9100 system for aerospace manufacturing operations.
Managed team of 5 quality auditors to ensure 300 person operation was AS9100 compliant and audit ready.

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What skills help Principal Quality Engineers find jobs?

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What technical skills for a principal quality engineer stand out to employers?

Tracy Farrell

Adjunct Instructor, Clarkson University

Technical skills that employers are seeking include "real" computer skills like Microsoft Office Suite tools, proper communication skills via email and website development and postings, developing proper document format that is appropriate to send to stakeholders (i.e., letter formatting, report writing, email formatting); strong communication skills that include speaking professionally and respectfully to stakeholders as well as writing professionally (i.e., making eye contact when speaking, proper handshake, respectful dialogue including questioning); project management - knowing how to organize work and develop a timeline that includes who will be responsible for what and follow through; data analysis - being able to not only present data in an organized and understandable manner; but, be able to interpret data correctly offering the justification behind what they are interpreting and why.

Respectfully, today's graduates do not understand that being able to text and use social media does not prepare them for "real" computer skills. Many students that I have in high school and in college do not have proper writing skills, document formatting skills, or document management skills to know how to save documents properly and where to save to.

Do you want to know more?

List of principal quality engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a principal quality engineer resume and required skills for a principal quality engineer to have include:

Sigma
Corrective Action
ISO
Continuous Improvement
Statistical Analysis
Medical Devices
Management System
Product Quality
Java
FDA
QA
Lean Six Sigma
Supplier Quality
Quality System
AS9100
Quality Issues
Process Control

CAPA
GMP
Product Development
FMEA
QMS
Material Review
Data Analysis
Quality Metrics
Internal Audit
Process Validation
MRB
Process Improvement
API
Strong Analytical
Design Verification
CFR
Control Board

Test Cases
Failure Analysis
Lean Manufacturing
Minitab
SPC
DOE
Customer Complaints
Quality Support
Regulatory Compliance
R
Engineering Support
Risk Assessments
QC
Sops
UI
DFMEA

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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