Principal Quality Engineer, Space Systems

Northrop Grumman; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector in San Diego, CA is seeking a Principal Engineer Quality – Level 3 for onsite leadership of quality activities supporting critical missions. You will own MRB, drive RCCA, and collaborate with IPTs to improve program performance, quality, and schedule while maintaining a high-visibility role with site leadership.

This role requires hands-on quality engineering in a composites hardware environment, adherence to AS9100, and the ability to influence production ramp-up

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience or higher degrees with fewer years.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
• Experience in manufacturing quality engineering or QA in AS9100 or similar regulated environment.
• Familiarity with Quality Management Systems, Root Cause Analysis tools, and MRB processes.
• Experience with reading and interpreting technical specifications and drawings, including GD&T.
• Experience translating technical specifications into quality control plans and measurement methods.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain product and process quality assurance activities for space programs.
• Lead the Nonconforming Material Review Board (MRB) process per customer requirements and procedures.
• Plan and execute RCCA using 5-Why, 8D, Fishbone to address nonconformances.
• Analyze quality performance metrics to identify trends and drive improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional IPTs to meet quality, cost, and schedule goals.
• Support and lead internal and external quality audits (AS9100, customer, corporate).
• Interpret drawings, GD&T, specs to ensure compliance.
• Develop and improve work instructions and quality documentation.
• Provide hands-on floor support to troubleshoot and implement solutions.
• Partner with suppliers and Supply Chain on quality issues and corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement with Lean and Six Sigma methods.
• Communicate status, risks, and opportunities to leadership.

Skills

Root Cause Analysis

Quality engineering

Communication

GD&T reading

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Solumina MES

TipQA

CostPoint

SAP

Job description

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector in San Diego, CA is seeking a Principal Engineer Quality – Level 3 for onsite leadership of quality activities supporting critical missions. You will own MRB, drive RCCA, and collaborate with IPTs to improve program performance, quality, and schedule while maintaining a high-visibility role with site leadership.

This role requires hands-on quality engineering in a composites hardware environment, adherence to AS9100, and the ability to influence production ramp-up