Sr Principal Engineer Supplier Quality
About The Position
Northrop Grumman is seeking a Senior Principal Supplier Quality professional to join its Supplier Performance Management team and support suppliers across multiple locations. The position is remote in North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, or Pennsylvania and requires travel 75% of the time. No relocation assistance is available. A clearance is not required to start; the clearance type is Secret. The role leads supplier quality risk management and develops evaluation and control systems to ensure supplier processes and products meet contractual, regulatory, and technical requirements. It oversees supplier quality plans across program phases and supplier quality performance for assigned suppliers, including compliance with drawings, specifications, key characteristics, and contractual quality clauses. The position involves supplier evaluation, qualification, and selection; supplier process and product verification; audits and corrective action; and collaboration with Procurement, Supplier Quality peers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. It also supports suppliers in building technical capability, including sub-tier management and special-process oversight, and implements Supplier Quality processes for approvals, source selection, classification, risk assessment and mitigation, and quality-requirement flow-down.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of relevant engineering or manufacturing experience; or a master’s degree and at least 6 years; or at least 12 years of relevant experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
- Active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential from the American Welding Society (AWS).
- Experience and practical knowledge of AS9100/ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
- Experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and special-process requirements, and defining risk-based inspection and control strategies.
- Experience leading complex problem solving and corrective action (SCAR/CAPA/8D) with measurable, sustained results.
- Experience leading audits, New Product Introduction (NPI), and/or Production Readiness Reviews.
- U.S. citizenship required.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, Welding Engineering Technology, or Industrial Technology.
- Formal auditor training or certification (AS9100 internal/lead auditor) and demonstrated audit execution experience.
- Experience conducting First Article Inspections (FAI) in accordance with AS9102 or equivalent.
- Experience conducting product reviews or inspections using appropriate methods, including visual inspection and measuring tools, to verify conformance to drawings and specifications.
- Experience working with or around NADCAP/PRI special-process environments (heat treat, NDT, coatings/plating, welding as applicable) and overseeing sub-tier special processors.
- Experience with precision machining and knowledge of metal forming (stamping, casting, turning, welding, etc.) and related finishing (heat treatment, plating, etc.).
- Experience implementing APQP and PPAP processes.
- Extensive experience leading process-improvement projects.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Government Security Clearance.
Responsibilities
- Lead supplier quality risk management by developing evaluation and control systems.
- Ensure supplier processes and products meet contractual, regulatory, and technical requirements; interface with suppliers to assess quality and manufacturing processes.
- Conduct product and process verification, including visual and dimensional checks and documentation of compliance.
- Oversee Supplier Quality plans across program phases.
- Participate in supplier evaluation, qualification, and selection for acquisitions and new procurements.
- Implement and coach suppliers on core quality tools, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow, MSA, SPC, capability studies, mistake-proofing, 8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa, and DOE.
- Initiate Supplier Corrective Action Requests and collaborate with suppliers and stakeholders to identify root causes and implement robust corrective actions.
- Partner with Procurement and Supplier Quality peers to develop supplier technical capability, including sub-tier management and special-process oversight.
- Own supplier quality performance for assigned suppliers and ensure ongoing compliance with drawings, specifications, key characteristics, and contractual quality clauses.
- Implement Supplier Quality processes, including approvals, source selection, supplier classification, risk assessments and mitigations, and quality-requirement development and flow-down.
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Savings plan
- Company-paid holidays
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
