Production Mission Assurance Engineer (Level 3 or 4)

Northrop Grumman • Ridgecrest, CA

2d • $114,000 - $213,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Advanced Weapons is seeking a Production Mission Assurance Engineer at Level 3 or 4. The role is responsible for product and process compliance through integration and delivery of products to internal and external customers. This is a full-time, on-site position in Ridgecrest, California; remote and telework arrangements are not available. Travel is 10% of the time. No relocation assistance is available. A clearance is not required to start, but the employee must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

The engineer implements Quality Assurance Program Plans for flight hardware programs, covering design, manufacturing, integration, and test activities in accordance with company and contractual requirements. As part of an integrated product team within Northrop Grumman Defense Systems’ Advanced Weapons Business Unit Mission Assurance staff, the engineer works across groups to address technical issues, meet program requirements, and ensure mission success. The role interfaces with customers, vendors, Integration & Test, Engineering, suppliers, and DCMA, and supports Mission Assurance management and AS9100D compliance across site policies, procedures, and practices.

The role provides production oversight, supports safety and quality assurance programs, manages non-conformances and corrective actions, reviews design and production documentation, and leads multidisciplinary root-cause and corrective/preventive-action efforts. It also supports risk management, program reviews, supplier verification, receiving inspection, and Government Source Inspection. AI is used for data analysis and defect/trend reporting in RCA/CAPA activities.

Level 3 qualifications include a STEM or engineering bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of quality/mission assurance experience, or a master’s degree and 3+ years of that experience; 9+ years of experience may substitute for a degree. Level 4 qualifications include a STEM or engineering bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of quality/mission assurance experience, or a master’s degree and 6+ years of that experience; 12+ years of experience may substitute for a degree. Both levels require the ability to read engineering documentation and knowledge of root cause analysis tools, AS9100 QMS, and AS9102 FAIRs.

Requirements

• Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or engineering discipline with 5+ years of quality/mission assurance experience, or a master’s degree with 3+ years of the same experience; 9+ years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Level 4: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or engineering discipline with 8+ years of quality/mission assurance experience, or a master’s degree with 6+ years of the same experience; 12+ years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Ability to read engineering documentation, drawings and parts lists, inspection plans, and supplemental instructions.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis tools such as Ishikawa, FMEA, DOE, 8D, and 3x5 Why.
• Knowledge of AS9100 QMS and AS9102 FAIRs.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift 35 pounds.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with AS9102.
• Experience with Tableau.
• APQP experience.
• Experience in EMD programs.
• Human Factors training or certification.
• Certified AS9100 auditor or lead auditor.
• MES, Costpoint, and TipQA experience.
• Current or active interim or full Secret clearance.
• Lean/Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification.
• ASQ certifications such as CQE, CQI, CQT, or CQM.
• Proficiency with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in accordance with ASME Y14.5.
• Past or current certifications in J-STD-001, IPC 7711/7721, IPC-A-610, and IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards.

Responsibilities

• Implement Quality Assurance Program Plans for flight hardware programs covering design, manufacturing, integration, and testing in accordance with company and contractual requirements.
• Work within an integrated product team to address technical issues, meet program requirements, and ensure mission success.
• Interface with customers, vendors, Integration & Test, Engineering, suppliers, and DCMA to identify and resolve mission and flight assurance issues.
• Provide Mission Assurance oversight of production processes and supporting activities.
• Execute Safety and Quality Assurance programs, procedures, and controls to ensure products and services conform to company standards.
• Adjudicate and process preliminary and final dispositions for product and service non-conformances.
• Support development, implementation, and maintenance of Mission Assurance policies and procedures.
• Interface with suppliers to verify product design and reliability.
• Process non-conformances and issue and manage Corrective Action Requests.
• Interpret customer technical and mission assurance requirements and ensure they are integrated into program plans, specifications, and product drawings.
• Oversee non-conformance reviews and failure investigations, and support cause, corrective action, and preventive action determinations.
• Analyze and interpret trends and execute improvements on key metrics.
• Represent Mission Assurance at program reviews and review boards, including CCB, CAB, and MRB.
• Ensure DFMEA and PFMEA risk management activities are executed according to standards and procedures.
• Ensure contract requirements are flowed down internally and to suppliers, and ensure compliance with contract, program, quality, organizational, and industry alert requirements.
• Review and approve design documentation, including Qualification Reports, drawings, ATPs, and BOMs.
• Review and approve production documentation, including assembly instructions, MOs, and rework instructions.
• Oversee receiving inspection activities for supplier-provided material.
• Interface with and support DCMA activities, including audits and Government Source Inspection.
• Provide Mission Assurance Engineering oversight at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
• Use AI for data analysis and defect/trend reporting to support RCA/CAPA activities.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in RCA/CAPA activities and verify effectiveness.
• Support Mission Assurance management in reviewing activities and ensuring AS9100D compliance throughout site policies, procedures, and practices.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level