Principal Quality Engineer/ Sr Principal Quality Engineer 3/4

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Middle River (MD); On-site; USD 99,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays & PTO

Bonus potential

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer for the VMDA team in Baltimore, MD. The role focuses on reviewing nonconforming material reports, leading disposition decisions, and coordinating with suppliers to resolve defects while maintaining AS9100/ISO 9001 standards.

The candidate will partner with engineering and production, develop metrics, and ensure audit readiness across programs, with onsite work and potential travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Experience with quality management systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001.
• Ability to conduct audits to verify internal procedures are being followed.
• Experience with root cause and corrective action methodologies (8D / 5 Why).

Responsibilities

• Review and process nonconforming material reports and vendor quality notifications.
• Lead material review and disposition (use-as-is, repair, rework, scrap, return to vendor).
• Lead investigations, organize data, and present corrective action board findings.

Skills

AS9100 experience

ISO 9001

Root cause analysis

8D / 5 Why

Audits

Supplier management

Lean Six-Sigma

SAP

Excel

Power BI

Education

B.S. in STEM

M.S. in STEM

Tools

SAP

Minitab

Excel

Power BI

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: NoneTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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.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 Sector is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer / Sr. Principal Quality Engineer – Level 3 or Level 4 to join our VMDA (Vendor Material Disposition Area) team in Baltimore, MD. This position will support programs for BWI site.This position is 100% onsite.What You'll Be DoingReview and process nonconforming material reports and vendor quality notifications related to supplier defects.Lead material review and disposition (use-as-is, repair, rework, scrap, return to vendor), ensuring decisions comply with internal requirements and specifications.Lead investigations, organizing data, and presenting corrective action board investigationsReporting status updates and technical data to directors and managersReviewing and verifying requirements to flow downs on contracts and other documentationInterpreting technical drawingsCoordinate segregation, identification, and control of nonconforming material to prevent unintended use.Partner with the Supply Performance Management (SPM) team to communicate nonconformance trends, systemic issues, and risk.Engage directly with vendors to manage the return and resolution of nonconforming material.Maintain clear, accurate records of nonconformances and dispositions within the appropriate quality systems.Develop and present reports and metrics (e.g., quality notification trends, processing turnaround time, defect categorization by program).Work closely with Engineering to understand technical requirements and assess the impact of vendor defects on form, fit, and function.Collaborate with production floor personnel on rework activities associated with vendor-related defects.Support VMDA compliance and audit activities to ensure adherence to all applicable requirements and standards.Participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing nonconformances and enhancing material quality.Contribute to the development and refinement of quality procedures and work instructions related to nonconforming material and supplier defects.Support incoming inspection activities and the processing of rejected material.Provide on-the-job training and guidance for new team members.Basic Qualifications – Level 3Bachelor’s degree in STEM and 5 years of Manufacturing experience or relevant experience, or a Master’s degree in STEM and 3 years of Manufacturing experience or relevant experienceExperience and Knowledge with quality management systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001Experience with root cause and corrective action methodologies such as 8D or 5 WhyExperience with conducting audits to verify internal procedures are being followedExperience working with suppliers to support supplier corrective actionsAbility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret ClearanceUS Citizenship requiredBasic Qualifications – Level 4Bachelor’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 experienceExperience and Knowledge with quality management systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001Experience with root cause and corrective action methodologies such as 8D or 5 WhyExperience with conducting audits to verify internal procedures are being followedExperience working with suppliers to support supplier corrective actionsAbility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret ClearanceUS Citizenship requiredPreferred QualificationsExperience in at least one of the following standards (IPC, J-Std, MIL-STD)Experience with ISO9001, AS9100, and AS9145 Quality Management System and AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAI)Green/Black Belt Certified in Lean Six-sigmaCertified in Lean and Six-Sigma methodologiesCertified auditorExperience Facilitating RCCAs with technical groupsSAP ExperienceDemonstrated ability to mentor and develop staffExperience leading cross-functional teams to resolve problems or issuesExperience using Microsoft Excel, Minitab or equivalent tools for statistical analysisKnowledge of modern skillsets such as Artificial Intelligence, SQL, Power Bi to aid in data analysis and data visualization”Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $123,400.00 - $185,000.00The 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.