We are seeking a detail-oriented Principal Quality Engineer / Sr. Principal Quality Engineer to join our dynamic STRIKE team. This position will be in Palmdale, CA.
In this role, you will monitor mission assurance program specifications and processes to ensure the program's mission success. You will ensure the quality, risk management, safety, reliability, and maintainability of program achievements, subcontractors, and suppliers. You will collaborate closely with the STRIKE Mission Assurance team to drive continuous improvement initiatives and ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
Our team is exceptionally detail-oriented. We work on sophisticated projects in the aerospace industry, producing high-quality work. Each team member has individual assignments, but we work as a united team to identify and resolve potential issues before product timelines are impacted. Our team pursues inclusivity, diversity, and balance in both workload and work-life. We feel strongly about treating each other with respect and working with integrity.
Responsibilities include:
The candidate should possess strong technical problem solving, written and verbal communication skills, perform technical assessments, and participate in CCB (Change Control Board) and data review activities.
The candidate is expected to regularly interface with operations, program management, engineering staff, and external customers.
Responsible for failure investigations, Customer/DCMA CARs, escapements, and data analytics to drive corrective actions. Communicate with customers, in the required time frame, on investigations and actions for each complaint/escapement.
Responsible for oversight of technical, in-depth quality requirements for the program, ensuring that contract requirements are met, and documentation is compliant with requirements
Lead Material Review Board submittals. Ensuring compliance with customer specifications/requirements in concurrence with the Chief Process Engineers.
Review of First Article Inspections, and present First Articles to the customer representative.
Assist in reviewing Supplier MRB and decision as to whether NG will request a SCAR
Assess and mitigate risks related to customer quality requirements, contract review, and assist Quality Engineering work when reviewing new contracts.
Technical reviews of drawings, SOW’s, Requirements, and documents as required
Provides qualified Mission Assurance engineering support to all Program organizations (e.g., Operations, Production Control, Design Engineering, etc.) with daily interactions, as required
Leads and collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure quality standards are developed and maintained
Primary contact for quality and safety matters for the Government and DCMA representatives
Able to effectively communicate solutions, ideas, and concepts to a diverse audience
Working knowledge of Material Review Board (MRB) standards, practices, and Customer engagement
Develop, analyze, and present metrics to customers and program leadership
Guide Mission Assurance processes and requirements integration with engineering activities to varying levels of management and customers.
Interface with manufacturing, engineering, program management, and subcontractor representatives to resolve issues and non-conformances.
Special Projects to support Mission Assurance Priorities and goals as assigned
This requisition may be filled at either an Principal Quality Engineer or Senior Principal Quality Engineer. Shift will be determined during pre-interview coordination with the candidate, which will include options for 4/10 Days or Nights and 3/10 Days.
Basic Qualifications:
Principal Quality Engineer : Bachelor of Science degree with X years of experience OR a Master’s degree with X years of Quality Engineering and/or Mission Assurance work experience.
Senior Principal Quality Engineer : Bachelor of Science degree with 8 years of experience OR a Master’s degree with 6 years of Quality Engineering and/or Mission Assurance work experience.
Experience with quality management systems to support program processes, audits, and/or improvements.
Experience with Mission Assurance/Quality Engineering practices.
Knowledge of Root Cause and Corrective Action methods
Knowledge of Inspection Plans and First Article Inspections
Knowledge of Quality Management Systems (AS9100, ISO 9001, or Military Quality Assurance)
Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines with attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills – Clear, concise reporting to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Experience with M.S. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Clearance – Must have an active DoD Secret security clearance (US Citizenship required) and ability to obtain Special Program Access.
Experience with fastpaced program environments where schedule volatility is common.
Dynamic workhour flexibility – Proven ability to adjust schedule on short notice, including rotating shifts, evening/weekend coverage, and overtime, to meet critical program milestones and production demands.
Preferred Qualifications:
Technical reviews of drawings, Statement of Work, and requirements traceability documents.
Experience in processing, monitoring, data collection, analysis, and metric reporting for the overall program and segments
Experience with manufacturing, quality controls, inspection, and/or non-conformance controls.
Prior aircraft manufacturing experience
Background in Composites
Experience conducting First Article Inspections and completing DD 250
Knowledge of data analysis methods and tools.
Skills Required
- Principal Quality Engineer: Bachelor of Science degree with X years of experience OR a Master's degree with X years of Quality Engineering and/or Mission Assurance experience.
- Senior Principal Quality Engineer: Bachelor of Science degree with 8 years of experience OR a Master's degree with 6 years of Quality Engineering and/or Mission Assurance experience.
- Active DoD Secret security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required) and ability to obtain Special Program Access.
- Experience with quality management systems to support program processes, audits, and improvements (AS9100, ISO 9001, or Military Quality Assurance).
- Experience with Mission Assurance / Quality Engineering practices and fast-paced program environments.
- Knowledge of Root Cause and Corrective Action methods.
- Knowledge of Inspection Plans and First Article Inspections; experience presenting First Articles to customer representatives.
- Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to report clearly to senior leadership and diverse audiences.
- Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines with attention to detail, and provide schedule flexibility (rotating shifts, evenings/weekends, overtime).
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
