Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems sector is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer or Senior Principal Quality Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals located in Palmdale, CA, El Segundo, CA, or San Diego, CA. Telecommute/remote is not an option for this position. This position’s standard work schedule for Palmdale is a 4/10 work week, and for El Segundo and San Diego is a 9/80 work week.
The Principal Quality Engineer or Senior Principal Quality Engineer will:
- Responsible for the implementation of Mission Assurance principles across the program to ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory and NG requirements
- Support coordination and implementation of all engineering activities, ensuring all individual IPT plans are sufficient quality, completeness, and detail (technical, cost, schedule)
- Execute an integrated a mission assurance plan for the program along with supporting plans that align with contractual requirements and stakeholder goals
- Advocates and implements continuous improvement opportunities, identifying and executing tasks to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of NG processes
- Investigates quality problems, issues, and failures through root cause investigation and corrective action implementation
- The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, collaborative/team settings across all levels
- Performs technical issue assessment, provides technical guidance, and plans for resolution
- Support and provide guidance for all program engineering processes from project inception to project completion
Basic Qualifications for the Principal Quality Engineer:
- Bachelor’s degree (STEM) in Engineering (electrical, mechanical, systems, aerospace) with 5 years experience, Master’s Degree (STEM) with 3 years experience, or PhD (STEM) with 1 years experience
- Understanding and broad application of engineering systems, and DoD Mil specs and standards
- Demonstrated ability to work with minimal oversight and in a multi-discipline team environment, providing insight and solutions to complicated issues both technical and procedural
- Experience with leading process improvement projects
- Trained and experienced in performing root cause corrective action
- Experience with AS9100/ISO9001 Quality Management Systems
- Active US Secret Clearance and ability to obtain program access
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree (STEM) with 3 years experience
- Experience or strong understanding of system engineering principles, disciplines, and tools
- Active Top Secret Clearance with program access
Basic Qualifications for the Senior Principal Quality Engineer:
- Bachelor’s Degree (STEM) in Engineering (electrical, mechanical, systems, aerospace) with 8 years experience, Master’s Degree (STEM) with 6 years experience, or PhD Degree (STEM) with 4 years experience
- Understanding and broad application of engineering systems, and DoD Mil specs and standards
- Demonstrated ability to work with minimal to no oversight and in a multi-discipline team environment, providing insight and solutions to complicated issues both technical and procedural
- Leading teams on process improvement projects
- Experienced in leading and facilitating root cause corrective action for teams
- Experience as lead auditor with AS9100/ISO9001 Quality Management Systems
- Active US Secret Clearance and ability to obtain program access
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree (STEM) with 6 years experience
- Experience or strong understanding of system engineering principles, disciplines, and tools
- Active Top Secret Clearance with program access
Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00The 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
- Bachelor's degree in STEM Engineering with 5 years of experience, Master's degree with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year for the Principal level
- Bachelor's degree in STEM Engineering with 8 years of experience, Master's degree with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years for the Senior Principal level
- Understanding and broad application of engineering systems and DoD MIL specifications and standards
- Ability to work with minimal or no oversight in multidisciplinary teams and resolve complex technical and procedural issues
- Experience leading process improvement projects
- Experience performing or leading root-cause corrective action
- Experience with AS9100 and ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
- Lead auditor experience with AS9100/ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems for the Senior Principal level
- Active U.S. Secret clearance and ability to obtain program access
- Master's degree in STEM
- Experience or strong understanding of systems engineering principles, disciplines, and tools
- Active Top Secret clearance with program access
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.








