Sr Principal Quality Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 123,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Sector is seeking a Sr. Principal Quality Engineer to join our team in Baltimore, MD. Define and monitor mission‑assurance specifications and processes to ensure program success.

This role requires leading investigations, applying AS9100/ISO 9001 principles, and ensuring quality across deliverables, subcontractors, and suppliers. You will participate in reviews, manage configuration, and drive corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 8 years of hands-on electronics manufacturing experience, or a Master’s degree with 6 years.
• 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 AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Strong interpretation skills with technical drawings and GD&T.
• Experience with root cause and corrective action methodologies such as 8D or 5 Why.
• Active U.S. Government Secret security Clearance; US Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Define and monitor mission‑assurance specifications and processes to ensure program success.
• Ensure quality, risk, safety, reliability, and maintainability of deliverables, subcontractors, and suppliers in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Lead comprehensive performance reviews on program performance and risks and advise on resource re‑allocation.
• Clarify internal and contract requirements and establish clear compliance paths.
• Participate in technical reviews (PDR, CDR) to verify system designs against project requirements.
• Conduct comprehensive contract reviews to confirm adherence to regulatory and compliance standards.
• Apply quantitative, predictive analysis to evaluate risks and opportunities.
• Manage configuration management, First Article Inspections and Physical Control Audits.
• Identify product nonconformances, analyze root‑cause/corrective‑action trends, and drive preventive actions.
• Apply AS9100 principles to resolve quality‑system questions and concerns.
• Verify compliance with program requirements and support flow‑down to supplier quality.
• Generate Basis of Estimate documentation for proposals.

Skills

Investigation leadership

Status reporting

Flow-down verification

GD&T interpretation

Root cause analysis (8D/5Why)

Audit execution

Security clearance (Secret)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM

Tools

J-STD-001

IPC-610

IPC-620

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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.

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 Sr. Principal Quality Engineer to join our team in Baltimore, MD.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Define and monitor mission‑assurance specifications and processes to ensure program success
• Ensure quality, risk, safety, reliability, and maintainability of deliverables, subcontractors, and suppliers in accordance with contractual requirements
• Leads comprehensive performance reviews on program performance and risks and advises on resource re‑allocation
• Clarify internal and contract requirements and establish clear compliance paths
• Participate in technical reviews (PDR, CDR) to verify system designs against project requirements
• Conduct comprehensive contract reviews to confirm adherence to regulatory and compliance standards
• Apply quantitative, predictive analysis to evaluate risks and opportunities
• Manage configuration management, (First Article Inspections and Physical Control Audits)
• Utilize common engineering/manufacturing tools, methodologies, and standards
• Identify product nonconformances, analyze root‑cause/corrective‑action trends, and drive preventive actions
• Apply AS9100 principles to resolve quality‑system questions and concerns
• Verify compliance with program requirements and support flow‑down to supplier quality
• Generate Basis of Estimate documentation for proposals

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM and 8 years of hands on Electronics Manufacturing experience or relevant experience, or a Master’sdegree in STEM and 6 years of hands on Electronics Manufacturing experience or 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
• Active U.S. Government Secret security Clearance
• US Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Firsthand experience with performing and reviewing First Article inspections (FAI)
• Firsthand experience with Material Review Boards (MRBs)
• Firsthand experience with leading audits requested by 3rd parties such as customers or DCMA
• Firsthand experience with executing J-STD-001, IPC-610 and IPC-620

Primary Level Salary Range: $123,400.00 - $185,000.00

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.