Sr Principal Quality Engineer

Northrop Grumman • Baltimore, MD

5d • $123,400 - $185,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Sr Principal Quality Engineer to join its team at the BWI site in Baltimore, Maryland. The role develops, applies, and maintains quality evaluation and control systems and protocols for materials and products, and collaborates with engineering and manufacturing to ensure quality standards are met. The engineer works primarily with an assigned cell but may support other cells, develops State-Of-Cell matrices, presents program risks and opportunities, and leads cell audits and resolution of quality nonconformances or repairs.

The position designs and analyzes inspection and testing processes, mechanisms, and equipment; conducts quality assurance tests and statistical analyses; audits quality systems; and initiates corrective action plans with suppliers, manufacturing, and engineering to identify root causes and implement robust corrective actions. It ensures corrective measures meet reliability standards and documentation requirements, uses engineering drawings and production documentation to verify conformance, and leads continuous improvement efforts. The role may focus on design, engineering, incoming materials, production control, product evaluation and reliability, inventory control, or research and development as they relate to product or process quality. It also supports employee growth and professional development.

The position requires a STEM degree and qualifying technical experience, experience in data analytics and statistical analysis, internal audits, and leading improvement and corrective-action activities. The candidate must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance. Relocation assistance and travel are not available or required, respectively.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 8 years of qualifying experience in quality assurance, failure investigation and root-cause identification, or technical work in manufacturing, process, electrical, or mechanical engineering; or a STEM master's degree and at least 6 years of qualifying experience; or a STEM Ph.D. and at least 4 years of qualifying experience.
• Experience with data analytics and statistical analysis methods and techniques.
• Experience conducting internal quality, system, or process audits.
• Experience leading improvement and corrective-action activities, including root-cause analysis, action planning, implementation, and verification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with at least one of the following standards: IPC, J-Std, or MIL-STD.
• Experience with ISO 9001 or AS9100 Quality Management Systems and AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAI).
• Green or Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma.
• Certification in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Certified auditor.
• Experience facilitating RCCAs with technical groups.
• SAP experience.
• Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to resolve problems or issues.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel, Minitab, or equivalent tools for statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, SQL, or Power BI to support data analysis and visualization.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, apply, and maintain quality evaluation and control systems and protocols for processing materials and products.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing functions to ensure quality standards are in place.
• Devise and implement methods and procedures for inspecting, testing, and evaluating product and production-equipment precision and accuracy.
• Maintain a primary cell assignment while providing support to other cells in problem solving.
• Compile State-Of-Cell matrices and present program risks and opportunities within the cell.
• Implement and audit Principles and Operating Practices in alignment with quality objectives and scope.
• Lead resolution of quality-requirement nonconformances or repairs and lead cell audits.
• Coordinate PCAB activities and maintain an in-depth understanding of workflows and processes.
• Design and analyze inspection and testing processes, mechanisms, and equipment; conduct quality assurance tests and statistical analyses.
• Audit quality systems to identify deficiencies and ensure correction.
• Initiate corrective action plans and work with suppliers, manufacturing, and engineering to identify root causes and implement robust corrective actions.
• Ensure corrective measures meet acceptable reliability standards and documentation complies with requirements.
• Use engineering drawings, diagrams, customer specifications, inspection instructions, manufacturing procedures, and checklists to verify items meet specifications and quality standards.
• Lead and implement continuous improvements to reduce nonconformances.
• Support employee growth and professional development.

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

What This Job Offers

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