Principal Quality Analyst

Northrop Grumman Corp. (JP); Baltimore, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. (JP) is seeking a Principal Quality Analyst on-site in Baltimore, MD to lead program quality plans and ensure product quality meets standards.

The role emphasizes Six Sigma, Lean, root-cause analysis, audits, and cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing, engineering, and suppliers. Strong background in QA tools and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance are required.

The company offers comprehensive benefits and opportunities to influence mission-critical systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of relevant work experience or Master's with 3+ years
• Experience with LEAN, Six Sigma, and continuous-improvement methodologies; Green- or Black-Belt certification preferred.
• Experience with corrective-action processes, quality processes/procedures, and validation/qualification methodologies.
• Experience using quality tools (cause-and-effect diagrams, flowcharts, check sheets, Pareto charts, scatter diagrams, run/control charts, histograms).
• Experience with First-Article Inspection criteria.
• Experience with SAP transaction processes
• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement quality plans and procedures using Six Sigma tools.
• Ensure product quality meets standards.
• Review and report quality discrepancies across systems.
• Investigate problems and apply corrective actions with cross-functional teams.
• Recommend corrective actions and design/process modifications.
• Describe relationships among quality manuals, procedures, and work instructions.
• Apply cost-of-quality concepts (prevention, appraisal, internal/external failure).
• Define audit components and verification.
• Facilitate team development and vision alignment.
• Apply PDCA, Kaizen, DMAIC for improvements.
• Use quality tools: diagrams, flowcharts, check sheets, Pareto charts.
• Identify risk types and apply mitigation.
• Outline product and process approvals including validation.
• Describe material identification, traceability, and non-conforming segregation.
• Demonstrate corrective-action steps and effectiveness.
• Apply preventive-action elements and change verification.
• Highlight benefits of real-time data collection.

Skills

LEAN

Six Sigma

Continuous Improvement

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Security clearance

Quality tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

SAP

Cause-and-effect diagrams

Flowcharts

Pareto charts

Histograms

Run/control charts

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for you to join us as a Principal Quality Analyst based on-site in Baltimore, MD .

What you will get to do:

• Develop and implement program quality plans, programs, and procedures using statistical quality‑control, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma tools, and analyses.

• Ensure product performance and quality meet company and regulatory standards.

• Review, analyze, and report quality discrepancies in assembly, process, mechanical, electrical, and electro‑mechanical systems.

• Investigate problems, create dispositions, and apply corrective actions for recurring issues; collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, customers, vendors, and subcontractors to meet requirements.

• Recommend corrective actions, dispositions, and design or process modifications.

• Identify and describe the relationships among quality manuals, procedures, and work instructions.

• Apply the cost‑of‑quality concept (prevention, appraisal, internal‑failure, external‑failure).

• Define audit components: purpose, scope, planning, execution, meetings, final report, and corrective‑action verification.

• Facilitate team development through information sharing, ice‑breakers, and vision alignment.

• Employ process‑improvement methodologies: PDCA cycles, Kaizen, incremental/breakthrough improvements, and DMAIC phases.

• Select, construct, apply, and interpret basic quality tools (cause‑and‑effect diagrams, flowcharts, check sheets, Pareto charts, scatter diagrams, run/control charts, histograms).

• Recognize risk types (scheduling, shipping, financial, operations, safety, regulatory) and apply mitigation methods (avoidance, reduction, prevention, segregation, transfer).

• Describe acceptance‑sampling parameters (lot size, sample size, acceptance number, OC curves) and determine when probability‑based approaches are appropriate.

• Outline product and process approval systems, including validation and qualification methods such as beta testing, first‑article, in‑process, and final inspections.

• Explain material identification, status, and traceability; describe segregation of non‑conforming material.

• Demonstrate corrective‑action steps: problem identification, containment, root‑cause analysis, solution proposal, implementation verification, and effectiveness confirmation.

• Apply preventive‑action elements: trend tracking, FMEA, monitoring‑report review, potential‑failure identification, error‑proofing, and change verification.

• Highlight the benefits of real‑time data collection and recommend optimal data‑gathering techniques.

Basic Qualifications for the Principal Quality Analyst:

• A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience; OR a Master’s degree with 3 or more years of relevant work experience.

• Experience with LEAN, Six Sigma, and continuous‑improvement methodologies; Green‑or Black‑Belt certification preferred.

• Experience with corrective‑action processes, quality processes/procedures, and validation/qualification methodologies.

• Experience using quality tools (cause‑and‑effect diagrams, flowcharts, check sheets, Pareto charts, scatter diagrams, run/control charts, histograms).

• Experience with First‑Article Inspection criteria.

• Experience with SAP transaction processes

• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.

• U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in process‑improvement methodologies.

• Auditing experience, including audit planning and corrective‑action verification.

• Facilitation experience for team development and cross‑functional collaboration.

• Green‑Belt or Black‑Belt certification

What We Can Offer You:

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment that encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off, and Additional Benefits, including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

#MPR

Primary Level Salary Range: $89,900.00 - $134,900.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Job Category: Mission and Quality Assurance