Staff Mission Assurance Engineer

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

This role focuses on ensuring the quality, reliability, safety, and maintainability of complex systems, particularly within the defense sector. It involves defining and monitoring mission-assurance specifications, overseeing design and development processes, conducting technical and contract reviews, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory standards. The engineer will also analyze nonconformances, drive root cause analysis, and manage configuration.

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. Oversee software and hardware design/development, coordinating technical teams and stakeholders
  5. Clarify internal and contract requirements and establish clear compliance paths

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree and 12 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience, or a PhD and 8 years of 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
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance
  • US Citizenship required

Nice to have

  • Experience with performing and reviewing First Article inspections (FAI)
  • Experience with leading audits requested by 3rd parties such as customers or DCMA
  • ASQ Certified Quality Auditor
  • ASQ Certified Quality Engineer
  • Certified Six Sigma Green Belt

What the JD emphasized

  • contractual requirements
  • regulatory and compliance standards
  • program requirements
  • supplier quality