Northrop Grumman seeks a skilled Senior Principal Supplier Quality, to join the Supplier Performance Management team and support our suppliers across multiple locations in the Northeast and Midwest. This position can be worked remote but only from NJ, OH, PA or CT due to the location of the suppliers. Travel would be at least 50%.
What you will do:
- Leads supplier quality risk management by developing evaluation and control systems
- Ensure supplier processes/products meet contractual, regulatory, and technical requirements. Interface with suppliers to assess quality and manufacturing processes
- Conduct product/process verification tasks such as visual and dimensional characteristics checks, documentation for compliance
- Conduct product/process verification with specific inspection points on visual and dimensional characteristics
- Oversees Supplier Quality plans across program phases
- Participate in supplier evaluation, qualification, and selection for acquisitions and new procurements.
- Implement and coach suppliers on core quality tools: PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow, MSA, SPC, capability studies, mistake-proofing, 8D/5-Why/Ishikawa, DOE, etc.
- Initiate Supplier Corrective Action Requests and work collaborative with suppliers, and other stakeholders to identify the root cause and ensure robust corrective actions are implemented.
- Partner with Procurement / Supplier Quality peers to develop supplier technical capability, including sub-tier management, special process oversight
- Own supplier quality performance for assigned suppliers, ensuring ongoing compliance to drawings, specifications, key characteristics, and contractual quality clauses
- Implement Supplier Quality processes, including approvals, source selection, supplier classification, risk assessments and mitigations, and quality requirements development and flow-down
#MPR
Basic Qualifications
- BS degree in STEM and with a minimum of 8 years of experience in quality, manufacturing and/or general engineering or Masters degree with a minimum of 6 years of experience in quality, manufacturing and/or general engineering.
- Experience with ISO9001 or AS9100 Quality Management System and AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAI) or equivalent
- Experience in interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and special process requirements; comfortable defining risk-based inspection and control strategies
- Experience leading audits, New Product Introduction (NPI), and/or Production Readiness Reviews.
- US citizenship required
- Ability to obtain and maintain a secret clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or related engineering.
- Formal auditor training/certification (AS9100 internal/lead auditor) and demonstrated audit execution experience.
- Demonstrated experience conducting product reviews/inspections using appropriate methods, including visual inspection and the use of measuring tools, to verify conformance to drawings/specifications
- Experience working with/around NADCAP/PRI special process environments (heat treat, NDT, coatings/plating, welding as applicable) and supplier oversight of sub-tier special processors.
- Experience with precision machining and knowledge of metal forming (stamping, casting, turning, etc.) and related finishing (heat treatment, plating, etc.).
- Experience in implementing APQP and PPAP processes.
- Experience leading complex problem solving and corrective action (SCAR/CAPA/8D) with measurable, sustained results
- Experience in planning and organizing activities across multiple manufacturing locations.
- Extensive experience with leading process improvement projects
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in STEM with at least 8 years of experience in quality, manufacturing, or general engineering
- Master’s degree with at least 6 years of experience in quality, manufacturing, or general engineering
- Experience with ISO 9001 or AS9100 Quality Management Systems and AS9102 First Article Inspections or equivalent
- Experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and special process requirements
- Experience defining risk-based inspection and control strategies
- Experience leading audits, New Product Introduction, and/or Production Readiness Reviews
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance
- Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or related engineering
- Formal AS9100 internal or lead auditor training/certification
- Experience conducting product reviews and inspections using visual inspection and measuring tools
- Experience with NADCAP/PRI special process environments and sub-tier special processor oversight
- Experience with precision machining, metal forming, heat treatment, plating, and related finishing
- Experience implementing APQP and PPAP processes
- Experience leading complex corrective action and problem-solving activities, including SCAR, CAPA, and 8D
- Experience planning and organizing activities across multiple manufacturing locations
- Extensive experience leading process improvement projects
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
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.







