Production Mission Assurance Engineer (Level 3 or 4)

Northrop Grumman; Ridgecrest (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 171,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Production Mission Assurance Engineer 3 or 4 for full-time on-site work in Ridgecrest, CA. Responsibilities include implementing Quality Assurance Program Plans, interfacing with customers and suppliers, and ensuring compliance with AS9100 standards. Candidates should have a background in engineering and significant experience in quality and mission assurance.

This role engages with multidisciplinary teams and involves oversight of production processes, mission assurance policies, and compliance with contract requirements, providing a unique opportunity to impact technological advancement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in quality/mission assurance for Level 3.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
• Knowledgeable in Root Cause Analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Implement Quality Assurance Program Plans for flight hardware.
• Provide oversight of production processes.
• Represent Mission Assurance at program reviews.

Skills

Root Cause Analysis

Quality Assurance Knowledge

Engineering Documentation Reading

AS9100 Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s in STEM field or Engineering discipline

Tools

Tableau

Lean / Six Sigma Certification

Job description

Relocation Assistance

No relocation assistance available.

Security Clearance

No clearance required for start. The clearance type required is Secret.

Travel

Yes, 10% of the time.

Company Overview

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 are making history.

Position Overview

Production Mission Assurance Engineer 3 or 4 – Full‑time, on‑site at Ridgecrest, CA. Remote/telework is not available.

Job Description

Implement Quality Assurance Program Plans for individual flight hardware programs addressing design, manufacturing, integration, and test activities in accordance with company and contractual requirements. Work as a member of an integrated product team of the Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, Advanced Weapons Business Unit Mission Assurance staff to address technical issues, meet program requirements, and ensure mission success. Interface with customers, vendors, and with Integration & Test and Engineering organizations to identify and resolve mission/flight assurance issues. Provide support to Mission Assurance Management in reviewing activities, including ensuring AS9100D compliance throughout site policies, procedures and practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide Mission Assurance oversight of production processes and supporting activities.
• Execute Safety and Quality Assurance programs, procedures and controls ensuring that products and services conform to company standards of excellence.
• Adjudicate and process preliminary and final dispositions for product and service non‑conformances.
• Support the development, implementation and maintenance of Mission Assurance policies and procedures.
• Interface with suppliers in the verification of product design and reliability.
• Process non‑conformances and issue and manage Corrective Actions Requests.
• Interpret customer technical and mission assurance requirements to ensure these requirements are integrated into program plans, specifications and product drawings.
• Provide oversight in non‑conformance review, failure investigations, as well as cause, corrective action and preventive action determinations. Analyze and interpret trends and execute improvements on key metrics.
• Represent Mission Assurance at different program reviews and review boards including Configuration Control Board (CCB), Corrective Action Board (CAB) and Material Review Board (MRB).
• Ensure Risk Management activities (DFMEA, PFMEA) are executed according to standards and procedures.
• Ensure program contract requirements are flowed down internally and to suppliers, ensuring compliance with contract program, quality, organizational, and industry alert requirements.
• Review and approve design documentation (Qualification Reports, Drawings, ATPs, BOMs, etc.).
• Review and approve production documentation (assembly instructions, MOs and rework instructions).
• Provide oversight in receiving inspection activities of supplier‑provided material.
• Interface with and support DCMA activities including audits and Government Source Inspection (GSI).
• Provide Mission Assurance Engineering oversight at the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake.
• Utilization of AI for data analysis and defect/trend reporting to execute RCA/CAPA activities.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in RCA/CAPA activities and verification of effectiveness.

Education and Experience

Basic Qualifications for a Level 3

• Bachelor’s in STEM field or an Engineering discipline, with 5+ years experience in quality/mission assurance; or a Master’s degree with 3+ years of the same type of experience and can have 9+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Ability to read engineering documentation, drawings and parts lists, inspection plans, and supplemental instructions.
• Knowledge base in Root Cause Analysis tools, such as Ishikawa, FMEA, DOE, 8D, 3×5 Why, etc.
• Knowledgeable with AS9100 QMS and with AS9102 FAIRs.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift 35 lbs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

Basic Qualifications for a Level 4

• Bachelor’s in STEM field or an Engineering discipline, with 8+ years experience in quality/mission assurance; or a Master’s degree with 6+ years of the same type of experience and can have 12+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Ability to read engineering documentation, drawings and parts lists, inspection plans, and supplemental instructions.
• Knowledge base in Root Cause Analysis tools, such as Ishikawa, FMEA, DOE, 8D, 3×5 Why, etc.
• Knowledgeable with AS9100 QMS and with AS9102 FAIRs.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift 35 lbs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient with AS9102
• Experience with Tableau
• APQP experience a plus
• Experience in EMD programs
• Human Factors training or certification
• Certified AS9100 auditor or lead auditor
• MES, Costpoint and TipQA experience a plus
• Current/Active Interim or Full Secret clearance
• Lean / Six Sigma Green or Black‑Belt Certified
• ASQ Certifications such as CQE, CQI, CQT, CQM, etc.
• Proficient experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) IAW ASME Y14.5
• Past or current Certifications in J‑STD‑001, IPC 7711/7721, IPC‑A‑610 and IPC/WHMA‑A‑620 standards.

Salary

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 – $171,100.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 – $213,400.00

Benefits

Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and long‑term incentives. Additional benefits include health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

EEO Statement

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.