Northrop Grumman seeks a skilled Senior Principal Supplier Quality, to join the Supplier Performance Management team and support our suppliers across multiple locations. This position will be remote in one of the following: North Carolina; Indiana; Ohio or Pennsylvania.
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
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Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 8 years or more relevant engineering/manufacturing experience; MS Degree with a minimum of 6 years or more relevant engineering/manufacturing experience or a minimum of 12 years or more relevant engineering/manufacturing experience in lieu of a bachelors degree.
- Active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential from the American Welding Society (AWS).
- Experience and practical knowledge of AS9100/ ISO9001 Quality Management System.
- Experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and special process requirements comfortable defining risk-based inspection and control strategies
- Experience leading complex problem solving and corrective action (SCAR/CAPA/8D) with measurable, sustained results.
- Experience leading audits, New Product Introduction (NPI), and/or Production Readiness Reviews.
- US citizenship required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical Engineering, Welding Engineering Technology or Industrial Technology
- Formal auditor training/certification (AS9100 internal/lead auditor) and demonstrated audit execution experience.
- Experience conducting First Article Inspections (FAI) in accordance with AS9102 or equivalent.
- 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, welding, etc.) and related finishing (heat treatment, plating, etc.).
- Experience in implementing APQP and PPAP processes.
- Extensive experience with leading process improvement projects
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Government Security Clearance
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 8 years of relevant engineering or manufacturing experience; alternatively, a master’s degree with at least 6 years or 12 years without a bachelor’s degree
- Active Certified Welding Inspector credential from the American Welding Society
- Practical knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
- Experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and special process requirements
- Experience defining risk-based inspection and control strategies
- Experience leading complex problem solving and corrective action using SCAR, CAPA, or 8D
- Experience leading audits, New Product Introduction, and/or Production Readiness Reviews
- U.S. citizenship
- Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, welding engineering technology, or industrial technology
- Formal AS9100 internal or lead auditor training/certification
- Experience conducting First Article Inspections under AS9102 or equivalent
- 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, welding, and finishing processes
- Experience implementing APQP and PPAP processes
- Extensive experience leading process improvement projects
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance
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 — Retirement plans with a company 401(k) match are emphasized as a strong part of total compensation. These offerings are portrayed as especially valuable for long-term financial security.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical insurance is complemented by wellness programs and related support, contributing to a comprehensive benefits package. Health coverage is frequently regarded as a core strength of the offering.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous paid time off and, at many locations, compressed 9/80 schedules support work-life balance with regular time away. Availability can vary by site and role, but where offered these arrangements are considered attractive.
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.







