Sr. Principal Quality Engineer

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Baltimore, MD +1 · Mission/Quality Assurance

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Sector is seeking a Sr. Principal Quality Engineer to join their team in Baltimore, MD. The role involves defining and monitoring mission-assurance specifications, ensuring quality, risk, safety, reliability, and maintainability of deliverables, and leading performance reviews. Responsibilities include clarifying requirements, participating in technical reviews, conducting contract reviews, applying quantitative analysis for risks, managing configuration, identifying nonconformances, applying AS9100 principles, verifying supplier quality, and generating Basis of Estimate documentation. Requires a Bachelor's degree in STEM with 8 years of experience or a Master's degree with 6 years of experience, ability to lead investigations, report status, review requirements, familiarity with AS9100/ISO 9001, interpret technical drawings, experience with root cause analysis (8D/5 Why), conducting audits, working with suppliers, and an active US Government Secret Clearance.

What you'd actually do

  1. Define and monitor mission‑assurance specifications and processes to ensure program success
  2. Ensure quality, risk, safety, reliability, and maintainability of deliverables, subcontractors, and suppliers in accordance with contractual requirements
  3. Leads comprehensive performance reviews on program performance and risks and advises on resource re‑allocation
  4. Clarify internal and contract requirements and establish clear compliance paths
  5. Participate in technical reviews (PDR, CDR) to verify system designs against project requirements

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in STEM and 8 years of Manufacturing experience or relevant experience, or a Master's degree in STEM and 6 years of Manufacturing experience or relevant experience
  • Ability to lead investigations, organize data, and present corrective action board investigations
  • Ability to report status updates and technical data to directors and managers
  • Ability to review and verify requirements to flow downs on contracts or other documentation
  • Familiarity with quality management systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001
  • Strong interpretation skills with technical drawings and GD&T
  • Experience with root cause and corrective action methodologies such as 8D or 5 Why
  • Experience with conducting audits to verify internal procedures are being followed
  • Experience working with suppliers to support supplier corrective actions
  • Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance
  • US Citizenship required

Nice to have

  • Experience with performing and reviewing First Article inspections (FAI)
  • Experience with Material Review Boards (MRBs)
  • Experience with leading audits requested by 3rd parties such as customers or DCMA
  • Experience with J-STD-001, IPC-610 and IPC-620

What the JD emphasized

  • Secret Clearance
  • AS9100 principles
  • First Article Inspections
  • root-cause/corrective-action trends
  • regulatory and compliance standards