Job Description Template – Space Sector
Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer – Level 3 to join our team in Baltimore, MD. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
In this role you will support Safety & Mission Assurance activities during integration, test, and launch operations. This role helps ensure flight hardware integrity, payload readiness, full pedigree traceability, and compliance with customers and regulatory requirements. The position requires technical judgement, real-time risk management, and direct engagement with test and launch operations to ensure mission success. Responsible for performing or assuring quality, drawing interpretations, data trending analysis, and maintainability of program requirements. This position is in Baltimore, MD and reports to the Eastern Region Senior Manager, Integration, Test & Launch Quality .
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
In this job, you will:
- Understand design intent, failure modes, specifications, and manufacturing processes for assigned products.
- Support process control, in-process and final inspections, audits, and quality reviews.
- Analyze non-conformances and lead root cause investigations, documenting preventive and corrective actions.
- Collaborate closely with engineers, manufacturing teams, and suppliers to resolve quality issues and improve processes.
- Prepare and maintain quality records, reports, and metrics in accordance with industry standards.
- Interpret and apply AS9100/ISO 9001 standards and Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
- Utilize statistical process controls and quality tools to ensure consistent product quality.
- Collaborate with engineering/cross-functional teams including manufacturing functions to ensure quality standards are in place
- Maintain Key Performance Metrics ( CoPQ, test data, etc.) and Charts used to identify trends and track performance process and quality performance
- Implement and enforce adherence to PrOp, CADSTAR drawings, Work Instructions to fit program quality objectives
- Basic blueprint/Engineering Drawing
- Interpretation of drawings and MIL-STDs
- Dispositioning and handling of HW defects and non-conformances
- Participate in the resolution of any quality requirements non-conformance, Standard Repairs or exceptions (MRB, DTO, etc.).
- Devise and implement methods and procedures for inspecting, testing and evaluating the precision and accuracy of products and production equipment
- Audit quality systems for deficiency identification and correction
- Initiate Corrective Action Plans and work with manufacturing, and engineering personnel to identify the root cause and ensure robust corrective actions are implemented
- Ensure that corrective measures meet acceptable reliability standards, and that documentation is compliant with requirements. Work from engineering drawings, diagrams, customer specifications, inspection instructions, and checklists to ensure items meet required specifications and quality standards
- Lead and implement Continuous Improvements to reduce defect count on manufacturing floor
- May specialize in the areas of design, incoming material, production control, product evaluation and reliability, inventory control and/or research and development as they apply to product or process quality
- Mentoring employees (Level 3)
- Other duties as assigned
If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field with a minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in Quality Assurance, which can include investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering field of work, performing technical job functions; OR a minimum of 3 years of engineering experience in Quality Assurance, which can include investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering field of work performing technical job functions with a Masters Degree in a STEM or 1 year with Ph.D.
- Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application
- Experience with Data Analytics and Statistical Analysis methods and techniques
- US Citizenship required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with ISO9001 or AS9100 Quality Management System and AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAI)
- Green/Black Belt Certified in Lean Six-sigma
- Certified in Lean and Six-Sigma methodologies
- Certified auditor
- PPAP/APQP Experience
- SAP Experience
- Experience using Microsoft Excel, Minitab or equivalent tools for statistical analysis
- Experience in modern skillsets such as Artificial Intelligence, SQL, Power BI to aid in data analysis and data visualization
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.Skills Required
- Degree in STEM with required experience: BS +5 years OR MS +3 years OR PhD +1 year in Quality Assurance or Manufacturing/Process/Electrical/Mechanical engineering
- Active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application
- U.S. Citizenship required
- Experience with data analytics and statistical analysis methods and techniques
- Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and quality tools; performing inspections, audits, and quality reviews
- Familiarity with blueprint/engineering drawing interpretation and MIL-STDs
- Ability to work 100% onsite in Baltimore, MD (no telecommute)
- Experience with ISO9001/AS9100 Quality Management Systems and AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI)
- Green/Black Belt or Lean Six Sigma certification
- Certified auditor (quality auditor) experience
- PPAP/APQP experience
- SAP experience
- Experience using Microsoft Excel, Minitab, or equivalent statistical tools
- Experience with AI, SQL, or Power BI for data analysis and visualization
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.







