Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Principal Supplier Quality Engineer (Level 3) to join our Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) team within the Multidomain Sensing, Targeting and Survivability (MSTS) division. This position reports directly to the Manager, Supplier Quality for the Naval & Oceanic Systems (N&OS) business unit, and the selected candidate will support programs across the N&OS portfolio.
This is an onsite position, and the candidate must be within commuting distance of one of our main campuses: Sykesville, MD; Annapolis, MD; or Charlottesville, VA.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as a Quality Planner: apply appropriate quality requirements to purchase requisitions, review purchase orders to support accurate and on-time release, and interpret drawings and technical specifications to determine applicable quality flow-downs.
- Review program contracts and interface with Program Quality Engineering to assure proper requirements flow-down to suppliers.
- Manage and maintain the database of quality flow-down notes and ensure consistent application across suppliers and programs.
- Monitor supplier performance, including recurring data pulls; generate charts and analysis in support of site and program reporting needs. Keep management apprised of supplier performance, quality status, and emerging risks.
- Provide support across the business unit in tracking and measuring performance against supplier management plans.
- Support supplier quality risk management, including implementation of proactive strategies to drive strong supplier performance.
- Develop and implement supplier quality evaluation and control systems to ensure robust, repeatable supplier processes.
- Support supplier approval activities, including source selection evaluations, supplier classification (Critical, Key, and Standard), supplier quality risk assessments and mitigation plans, and development and flow-down of supplier quality requirements.
- Support the maintenance of the approved supplier list and periodically review supplier performance to determine continued eligibility.
- Provide the team with visibility into upcoming purchase requisitions and supplier deliveries to support planning and risk management.
- Manage supplier requests for waivers, deviations, and requirement changes, ensuring appropriate evaluation and disposition.
- Support proposal and cost estimating activities with supplier quality inputs, risks, and assumptions.
- Provide support for a variety of core functional supplier quality processes, as assigned.
- Foster a collaborative culture that sustains momentum around engagement, problem solving, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as a strong voice for Quality and a role model for Northrop Grumman values.
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Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in STEM with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in disciplines such as quality, supply chain, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, test engineering, or materials engineering OR Masters Degree in a STEM with with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in disciplines such as quality, supply chain, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, test engineering, or materials engineering
- US Citizenship Required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in an engineering or related STEM discipline
- Experience working within an ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 Quality Management System environment (certification and audit experience a plus)
- Experience in a Quality or Supplier Quality role
- Defense/aerospace industry experience, including direct supplier interface and oversight
- Demonstrated experience facilitating Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and leading/participating in Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt
- ASQ certifications such as Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and/or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
- Experience using SAP (or similar ERP/business systems) for supply chain, quality, or supplier management activities
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and at least 5 years of relevant experience in quality, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, testing, or materials disciplines
- Alternatively, a master's degree in STEM and at least 3 years of relevant experience in quality, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, testing, or materials disciplines
- U.S. citizenship
- Master's degree in engineering or a related STEM discipline
- Experience working in an ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 Quality Management System environment
- Quality or Supplier Quality experience
- Defense or aerospace industry experience, including direct supplier interface and oversight
- Experience facilitating Root Cause Corrective Action and leading or participating in Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer and/or Certified Quality Auditor certification
- Experience using SAP or similar ERP/business systems for supply chain, quality, or supplier management
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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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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.
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