Manager Mission Assurance 2

Northrop Grumman•Sunnyvale, CA

2d•$146,600 - $219,800•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Marine Systems is seeking a Manager Mission Assurance 2 to lead a team of quality and mission assurance professionals supporting Marine Systems operations in Sunnyvale, CA. This is a 100% on-site position. The role involves leading, developing, and performance-managing a team of quality engineers, quality analysts, and mission assurance personnel in a manufacturing environment. The manager will partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Performance Management/Supplier Quality, and Global Supply Chain to ensure quality is built into requirements, designs, work products, and delivered systems. A visible presence on the shop floor is expected for direct support, issue resolution, and coaching. The position requires establishing, monitoring, and reporting performance metrics for continuous improvement, ensuring processes and procedures meet standards, specifications, and customer requirements. Driving root cause and corrective action (RCCA) and failure investigations for high-impact issues, along with training team members in RCCA, is crucial. Identifying and mitigating quality and performance risks using APQP, FMEAs, and early engagement with design teams and suppliers is also a key responsibility. Ensuring adherence to the Quality Management System through internal surveillances and audits, setting clear goals and expectations for direct reports, providing feedback, coaching, and formal performance reviews are essential. The role includes developing and managing departmental budgets for indirect costs and overhead, and managing the quality scope on assigned programs, including cost, schedule, Estimate at Complete (EACs), and performance, using Earned Value Management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree with 8 years of related experience in Quality, Mission Assurance, and Manufacturing; Master’s degree and at least 6 years of related experience.
Experience in a manufacturing environment managing or leading teams that support engineered hardware or complex systems.
Prior leadership experience managing technical teams through growth, change, or program transitions.
Experience with data analysis and problem-solving skills in a manufacturing environment.
Experience applying quality principles and practices (e.g., quality engineering, inspection, material review) to engineering and production activities.
Experience with ISO 9001 or AS9100-based Quality Management Systems, including audit preparation, execution, and corrective action closure.
Experience conducting and/or managing internal audits and quality surveillances.
Experience planning and managing projects and leading cross-functional teams.
Experience applying advanced product quality planning and mission assurance practices (e.g., risk reduction, systems engineering principles, full life-cycle product support).
Ability to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance.
Deep experience in aerospace and/or defense quality, mission assurance, and complex manufacturing environments.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Proven ability to work on the shop floor to resolve issues and coach others in quality practices.
Ability to work with minimal oversight in a multi-disciplinary environment and provide solutions to complex technical issues.
Strong interpersonal and team leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with supplier quality, supplier development, and Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.
Experience with electrical power generation, launch systems, propulsion systems, or other high-reliability, safety-critical systems.
Experience interfacing with external customers, auditors, and regulatory bodies on quality and mission assurance matters.
Ability to understand, interpret, and implement technical and complex customer/program requirements.
Experience conducting or overseeing supplier audits and qualification activities.
Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, mistake-proofing, process standardization) in a manufacturing environment.
Professional certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or equivalent are strongly desired.
Experience implementing or enhancing digital quality tools and systems (e.g., electronic QMS, nonconformance tracking, metrics dashboards).

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and performance-manage a team of quality engineers, quality analysts, and mission assurance personnel in a manufacturing environment.
Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supplier Performance Management/Supplier Quality, and Global Supply Chain to ensure quality is built into requirements, designs, work products, and delivered systems.
Maintain a visible presence on the shop floor to provide direct support, resolve issues, and coach personnel in quality methods and procedures.
Establish, monitor, and report performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
Ensure processes and procedures are in place and followed to meet standards, specifications, and customer requirements.
Drive root cause and corrective action (RCCA) and failure investigations for high-impact issues; train and mentor team members in RCCA for routine issues.
Identify and mitigate quality and performance risks using APQP, FMEAs, and early engagement with design teams and suppliers.
Ensure adherence to the Quality Management System through internal surveillances and audits.
Set clear goals and expectations for direct reports; provide regular feedback, coaching, and formal performance reviews.
Develop and manage departmental budgets for indirect costs and overhead.
Manage the quality scope on assigned programs, including cost, schedule, Estimate at Complete (EACs), and performance, using Earned Value Management.