Principal Quality Engineer

About this role

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

What You'll Get To Do:   • Define and monitor mission‑assurance specifications and processes to ensure program success. 

• Ensure quality, risk, safety, reliability, and maintainability of program deliverables, subcontractors, and suppliers in line with contractual requirements.  

• Conducts variance and trend analysis on program performance, providing data‑driven input to resource‑allocation discussions. 

• Oversee software and hardware design‑development, coordinating technical teams and stakeholders.  

• Clarify internal and contractual requirements and establish compliance pathways.  

• Participate in technical reviews (SAARR, 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 assess risks and opportunities, communicate findings to the project manager, and proactively flag risk‑acceptance issues.  

• Manage configuration control, including CCB processes and the effectivity of design changes.  

• Utilize standard engineering/manufacturing tools, methodologies, and applicable standards.  

• Identify product nonconformances, analyze root‑cause/corrective‑action trends, and drive preventative actions.  

• Apply QMS principles to resolve quality‑system questions and concerns.  

• Use advanced problem‑solving techniques, metrics, and data analysis to determine root causes and implement corrective actions, preventing recurrence.  

• Evaluate compliance with program requirements and support requirements flow‑down to supplier quality.  

• Verify measurement, inspection, and test methods to meet specification criteria.  

• Interpret complex contracts and engage customers to resolve contractual and compliance issues. 

• Provide requirements‑verification assurance, ensuring requirements meet quality and compliance standards; develop supporting work products (e.g., NGPro).  

• Generate Basis of Estimate documentation for proposals. 

Ideal candidate must be able to work 4th shift on weekends. Schedule is from Friday-Sunday from 5:00am-5:00pm or from 6:00am-6:00pm or from 7:00am-7:00 pm. There may be flexibility with hours.

Basic Qualifications   • Bachelor of Science Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field with a minimum of 5 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 3 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 1 year 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 Degree in a STEM field

• Ability to support Program corrective action board

• Ability to review and verify requirements to flow downs on contracts or other documentation

• Experience, Knowledge and Familiarity with quality management systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001 

• Experience, Knowledge and Familiarity with interpreting technical drawings and GD&T

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance

• US Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications   • Familiarity with quality assurance and risk management methodologies.  Understanding of root cause and corrective action methodologies such as 8D or 5 Why

• Greenbelt certification 

• Experience working with suppliers to support quality issues in supply chain 

• Experience with performing and reviewing First Article inspections (FAI) 

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00

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

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