Production Quality Engineering Manager 2

Northrop Grumman • Los Angeles, CA

17d • $133,100 - $199,700 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Advanced Weapons is seeking a Production Quality Engineering Manager 2 to lead product and process compliance through integration and delivery to internal and external customers. The role assumes responsibility for Quality Engineering, Calibration, and Quality Control Technician functions at the Northridge and Ridgecrest, California sites. It leads the quality engineering function within manufacturing, ensuring missile systems meet contractual, regulatory, and safety requirements while partnering with program managers, Global Supply Chain, manufacturing, and senior leadership to drive continuous improvement, audit readiness, and the integrity of defense-grade production processes.

The position is full-time and onsite between Northridge and Ridgecrest, with no remote or telework arrangement available. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret Clearance. Travel is 10% of the time; relocation assistance is not available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 or more years of Quality, Mission Assurance, or equivalent experience; alternatively, a master’s degree and 6 or more years of such experience; 12 years of experience may substitute for a formal degree.
• Five or more years of management and/or leadership experience leading teams of five or more personnel.
• Experience with the AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports Standard.
• Experience implementing and certifying ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and root cause analysis tools such as Ishikawa, FMEA, DOE, 8D, and 5 Why Analysis.
• Past or current certifications in IPC 7711/7721, IPC-A-610, and IPC/WHMA-A-620; the employer will certify candidates who previously held these certifications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• Ability to work full-time onsite between Northridge and Ridgecrest, California; no remote or telework arrangement is available.
• Ability to travel 10% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Current U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• Human Factors Training.
• Certified AS9100 auditor or lead auditor.
• TipQA, Costpoint, and MES experience.
• Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• ASQ certifications such as CQE, CQI, CQT, or CQM.

Responsibilities

• Direct and mentor a team of 8 or more quality engineers, quality control technicians, calibration specialists, and related staff across multiple sites.
• Conduct performance reviews, create professional development plans, and promote zero-defect manufacturing, proactive risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.
• Implement training for inspection, QE/QCT, and calibration personnel on ESD, FOD/FOE, contamination, environmental controls, and RCCA/CAPA.
• Own implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of ISO 9001/AS9100 procedures and policies, and defense-specific quality systems including Mil-specs, ITAR, and DFARS.
• Maintain audit readiness for DoD, DCMA, NAVAIR, customer, and third-party assessments; lead internal and external audits and drive corrective and preventive actions to closure.
• Define, validate, and monitor production quality plans, inspection strategies, and test procedures.
• Oversee root cause analysis of nonconformances, field failures, warranty data, and failure investigations; implement corrective and preventive actions and quality- and reliability-focused actions such as PFMEA and DFMEA.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering to translate design requirements into manufacturable, inspectable, and testable specifications.
• Lead adjudication and timely closure of nonconformances through PMRB and MRB with internal and external stakeholders; maintain the MRB Cage backlog within management-established levels.
• Collaborate with Supplier Quality to address supplier escapes into the factory and work with Global Supply Chain and Supplier Quality on supplier corrective action plans and effectiveness tracking.
• Track quality indicators including PPM, DPMO, First Pass Yield, and cost of poor quality; present trend analyses and improvements to senior leadership.
• Provide data-driven recommendations for process redesign, automation, lean initiatives, and cost-saving opportunities while maintaining compliance.
• Oversee M&TE calibration activities and ensure measurement and test equipment is maintained and aligned with production schedules.
• Support digital quality system rollouts and other technology-enabled initiatives; reconcile WIP, drive digital transformation projects, and align them with program objectives.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous-improvement methodologies; certify Green Belt/Black Belt team members as needed.
• Lead APQP, SPC, 5S, and digital quality system implementations across product development and production.
• Identify risks, implement root cause actions, track effectiveness, and share lessons learned.
• Lead cross-functional RCCA/CAPA activities for internal nonconformities and at key customer sites, including NAWS China Lake and Edwards AFB; drive workplan approvals, MRB/PMRB adjudication, and coordination with external customers on corrective actions.
• Shape corporatewide quality strategy, emerging technology adoption, and risk-mitigation approaches; influence QMA initiatives, support Return to Green plans, and ensure lessons learned are shared organization-wide.
• Meet or exceed quality, safety, delivery, employee, and cost goal expectations for internal and external customers, while developing and inspiring high-performing teams.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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