Sr Principal Quality Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Sr Principal Quality Engineer in Baltimore, MD to lead quality assurance initiatives across materials and processes. The role requires strong data analytics, PFMEA expertise, and auditing skills with a focus on continuous improvement.

You will collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to uphold stringent quality standards, review drawings and contracts, and implement robust inspection programs.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in STEM with extensive QA or manufacturing engineering experience
• Experience with Data Analytics and Statistical Analysis methods
• Experience with IPC, J-Std, MIL-STD or similar standards
• Experience in PFMEA or other risk analysis methodologies
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, apply, and maintain quality evaluation, control systems, and protocols for processing materials into finished products
• Partner with engineering and manufacturing to uphold quality standards
• Design, analyze, and implement inspection and testing processes; conduct QA tests and statistical analyses
• Audit quality systems, drive corrective actions and continual process improvement
• Review contracts/SOWs/drawings to apply standards (ISO 9000, AS9102, MIL, IPC)
• Interface with production-floor roles and communicate with stakeholders
• Identify and remove barriers to quality improvement through root-cause analysis and corrective actions
• Define and control quality characteristics; develop and validate control plans
• Manage nonconformances and lead cross-functional containment
• Create and use QC tools and bench-marking for system-wide improvements
• Facilitate team collaboration and problem-solving
• Interpret drawings to verify design compliance
• Develop FMEAs to identify risks and mitigation strategies
• Specialize in QA areas as they apply to product or process quality

Skills

Data analytics

Statistical analysis

PFMEA

RCCA facilitation

US citizenship

Education

BS in STEM with 8+ years experience

MS in STEM with 6+ years

PhD in STEM with 4+ years

Tools

Excel

Minitab

Power BI

SAP

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: No

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 the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We are looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we ’II support yours of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you ’II have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) is currently seeking a Sr Principal Quality Engineer to join our team in Baltimore, MD .

What You'll Get To Do:

• Develop, modify, apply, and maintain quality evaluation, control systems, and protocols for processing materials into partially finished or finished products.

• Partner with engineering and manufacturing to establish and uphold quality standards.

• Design, analyze, and implement inspection and testing processes and equipment; conduct quality assurance tests, perform statistical analyses to determine cost and responsibility for non-conforming parts.

• Audit quality systems, identify deficiencies, and drive corrective actions that meet reliability and documentation requirements; plan, conduct, report, and follow‑up on audits to ensure compliance and continual process improvement.

• Review contracts/SOWs/drawings to evaluate, interpret and apply company policies, ISO 9000, AS9102, MIL, IPC, and other standards applicable.

• Interface with production‑floor roles (inspection, assembly, operations) and communicate clearly with all stakeholders.

• Identify and remove barriers to quality improvement through root‑cause analysis and corrective‑action planning.

• Define, classify, and control quality characteristics for products, processes, and services; develop and validate control plans and work‑instruction updates.

• Manage nonconformances across the facility, lead cross‑functional containments to ensure product compliance.

• Create, use, and interpret quality‑control tools (flowcharts, Pareto, control charts) and conduct benchmarking to drive system‑wide improvements.

• Facilitate team collaboration with brainstorming, conflict‑resolution, and other facilitation techniques.

• Interpret technical drawings and specifications to verify compliance with design requirements

• Develop and analyze Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEAs) to identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.

• Specialize in design, incoming material, production control, product evaluation & reliability, inventory control, or R&D as they apply to product or process quality.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field with a minimum of 8 years of engineering experience in Quality Assurance, which can include investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering field of work performing technical job functions; OR a minimum of 6 years of engineering experience in Quality Assurance, which can include investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering field of work performing technical job functions with a Masters Degree in a STEM field; OR a minimum of 4 years of engineering experience in Quality Assurance, which can include investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering field of work performing technical job functions with a PhD. in a STEM field

• Experience with Data Analytics and Statistical Analysis methods and techniques

• Experience with at least one of the following Standards (IPC, J-Std, MIL-STD).

• Experience in PFMEA (or any other risk analysis methodology)

• Experience Facilitating RCCAs with technical groups

• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret security clearance

• US Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise with ISO9001 or AS9100 Quality Management System and AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAI)

• Green/Black Belt Certified in Lean Six-sigma

• Certified in Lean and Six-Sigma methodologies

• Certified auditor

• SAP Expertise

• Active US Government Secret security Clearance

• Expertise leading cross-functional teams to resolve problems or issues.

• Expertise using Microsoft Excel, Minitab or equivalent tools for statistical analysis

• Knowledge of modern skillsets such as Artificial Intelligence, SQL, Power BI to aid in data analysis and data visualization

• Expertise with FMEAs, CARs, and audits

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) – IPC‑A‑610

• Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) – IPC/WHMA‑A‑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.

Job Category: Engineering