Principal/ Sr Principal Mission Assurance Engineer - 18208
About The Position
Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is hiring a Principal or Senior Principal Mission Assurance Engineer to support the SLCM-N Program Quality & Mission Assurance Team in Huntsville, Alabama. The role supports a robust Quality Management System to ensure products and services meet internal and external requirements and promote mission success, with a strong focus on supplier quality and mission assurance. The position requires a proactive, detail-oriented contributor with leadership, problem-solving, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. The engineer will establish and maintain mission assurance practices for in-house and supplier-provided items, tailor QMS procedures, and integrate quality requirements into program plans and supplier agreements. The work includes supplier risk assessment and oversight, audits and inspections, management of nonconformances and corrective actions, and communication of supplier risks and quality status. The role also provides technical quality oversight across reviews, investigations, testing, and program reporting. This position is based in Huntsville, AL, requires an active DoD Secret clearance, and requires willingness and ability to travel 25–50% of the time. The listed travel estimate is 10%. The standard work schedule is 9/80: nine-hour days Monday through Thursday, with every other Friday off. Relocation assistance is not available.
Requirements
- Principal level: Bachelor of Science degree and 5 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree and 3 years, or a Ph.D. and 1 year.
- Senior Principal level: Bachelor of Science degree and 8 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree and 6 years, or a Ph.D. and 4 years.
- U.S. citizenship and an active, current, in-scope DoD Secret clearance, with an investigation within the last 6 years.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a company-defined timeframe.
- Experience developing, planning, and implementing quality methods and strategies for procured items, including design, procurement, acceptance, and use.
- Experience with AS9100/ISO 9001 requirements and QMS implementation.
- Experience performing internal and/or supplier quality audits.
- Experience with root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive action tools.
- Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
- Willingness and ability to travel 25–50% of the time.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university.
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance.
- Lead auditor experience and/or formal training in AS9100/ISO 9001.
- Experience implementing AS9145 in a program and its supply chain.
- Extensive on-site experience with aerospace/defense industry suppliers.
- Six Sigma or Lean certification.
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or similar professional certification.
- Experience with enterprise tools such as SAP, Jira, and Confluence.
- Demonstrated success building and maintaining positive supplier relationships and resolving supplier quality issues.
Responsibilities
- Review and extract quality and mission assurance requirements from contracts, statements of work, specifications, test plans and procedures, and reports.
- Establish, implement, and maintain program mission assurance plans and practices for in-house and supplier-provided items.
- Tailor and implement AS9100/ISO 9001 QMS procedures, conduct internal audits, and drive closure of nonconformances.
- Integrate mission assurance requirements into program plans, product documents, supplier contracts, and purchase orders.
- Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and company quality requirements.
- Develop and implement supplier quality evaluation and control systems aligned with contract and company requirements.
- Assess supplier processes and product quality for compliance with contractual, regulatory, and technical standards.
- Lead supplier risk management, including supplier classification, pre-award capability assessments, and source-selection evaluations.
- Conduct supplier audits, performance assessments, and product/process verification; monitor performance trends and report risks.
- Manage supplier nonconformances, waivers, deviations, and MRB activities; lead root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions.
- Oversee source inspections and customer coordination; verify End Item Data Packages and travelers before shipment.
- Maintain the approved supplier list and SAP Vendor/Part Master data, and use performance data to evaluate supplier capability.
- Coordinate with program management, engineering, procurement, and supplier management to align procurements with mission assurance objectives.
- Communicate supplier performance, quality status, and risks to senior management and stakeholders.
- Provide oversight of discrepancy reviews, failure investigations, and trend analysis, and implement improvements to quality metrics.
- Represent Mission Assurance at MRB, CCB, FRB, PMR, software peer reviews, TRB, and SRR as required.
- Conduct CDRL reviews, supplier audits, and inspections.
- Witness software testing, qualification, and integration/test activities, and provide lab support for software test readiness.
- Develop and deliver metrics, reports, and presentations for management and customers.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k)
- Educational assistance
- Life insurance
- Employee assistance programs and work/life solutions
- Paid time off
- Health and wellness resources
- Employee discounts
- Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus, depending on the position
- Company-paid holidays
- Life and disability insurance
- Savings plan
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
