Quality Engineer / Principal Quality Engineer 2/3

Posted 9 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Elkridge, MD, USA
In-Office
80K-148K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Develops and maintains quality control systems for aerospace and defense manufacturing. Collaborates with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and contracts teams to resolve nonconformances, conduct audits, analyze quality metrics, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement. Reviews drawings, specifications, and military standards; evaluates products and processes; supports inspections, testing, risk management, and hardware defect disposition.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We are looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we ’II support yours of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you ’II have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.


Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) is currently seeking a Quality Engineer / Principal Quality Engineer 2/3 to join our team in Elkridge, MD at our Troy Hill facility.
What You'll Get to Do:

  • Develop, modify, apply and maintain quality evaluation and control systems and protocols for processing materials into partially finished or finished materials product.
  • Collaborate with engineering, program, contracts, and manufacturing functions to ensure quality standards are in place.
  • Introduction in Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), HQMS and Continuous Improvement activities at the introductory level.
  • Maintain Key Performance Metrics (SRR, FTTTY, FTTIY, NDR, etc.) and Charts used to identify trends and track performance process and quality performance.
  • Work with Test Engineers on Test Engineering software.
  • Ensure that products conform to established company and regulatory standards.
  • Identify and review product non-conformances.
  • Use data to make Quality decisions.
  • Implement and enforce adherence to Prop, CADSTAR drawings, Quality Assurance Directives (QAD), and Work Instructions to fit program quality objectives.
  • Support Functional/ Physical Process Assessments.
  • Read basic blueprints.
  • Interpret drawings and MIL-STDs.
  • Disposition hardware defects and non-conformances.
  • Participate in the resolution of any quality requirements non-conformance Standard Repairs or exceptions (MRB, DTO, etc.)
  • Present Program Risks and Opportunities within the cell.
  • Devise and implement methods and procedures, for inspecting, testing and evaluating the precision and accuracy of products and production equipment.
  • Design and analyze inspection and testing processes, mechanisms and equipment.
  • Assess the cost of and determine the responsibility for products or materials that do not meet required standards and specifications.
  • Audit quality systems to identify deficiencies and track corrective actions.
  • Initiate Corrective Action Plans and work with suppliers, 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 Improvement actions to reduce defect count on manufacturing floor.
  • May participate in the areas of design, incoming material inspection, production control, product evaluation and reliability, inventory control and/or research and development as they apply to product or process quality.

Basic Qualifications for the Quality Engineer:

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field with a minimum of 2 years experience in Quality Assurance, or investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering field of work performing technical job functions; OR a Masters Degree in a STEM field
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance
  • US Citizenship required

Basic Qualifications for the Principal Quality Engineer:

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field with a minimum of 5 years experience in Quality Assurance, or investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering field of work performing technical job functions; OR a Masters Degree in a STEM field with a minimum of 3 years experience in Quality Assurance, or investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering field of work performing technical job functions
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance
  • US Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with IS09001 or AS9100 Quality Management System and AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAI)
  • Green/BIack Belt Certified in Lean Six-sigma
  • Certified in Lean and Six-Sigma methodologies
  • Certified auditor
  • SAP Experience
  • SQL experience
  • Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance
  • Experience using Microsoft Excel, Minitab, Tableau or equivalent tools for statistical analysis

Primary Level Salary Range: $79,600.00 - $119,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00

The 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 of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 2 years of relevant quality assurance, failure investigation, root-cause analysis, manufacturing, process, electrical, or mechanical engineering experience for the Quality Engineer level
  • Master's degree in a STEM field may substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement for the Quality Engineer level
  • Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant experience for the Principal Quality Engineer level
  • Master's degree in a STEM field and at least 3 years of relevant experience for the Principal Quality Engineer level
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Experience with ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality management systems and AS9102 First Article Inspections
  • Green or Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma
  • Certification in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
  • Certified auditor qualification
  • SAP experience
  • SQL experience
  • Active U.S. Government Secret clearance
  • Experience with Microsoft Excel, Minitab, Tableau, or equivalent statistical analysis tools

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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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