Northrop Grumman

Principal Configuration Analyst

Northrop Grumman$81K — $122K *
Mesa, AZ 85204In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
  • 5+ years of experience in configuration management or product lifecycle management roles.
  • Knowledge of configuration management principles (versioning, baselines, change control).
  • Hands-on experience with configuration management and version control tools (e.g., Git, Jira, Siemens Teamcenter).
  • Excellent communication skills for presenting CM status to leadership.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and improve configuration management policies and standards based on SAE EIA-649.
  • Define and maintain configuration baselines for hardware and software across projects.
  • Plan and coordinate project documentation to meet engineering and production specifications.
  • Review contracts to ascertain documentation for project phases based on engineering processes.
  • Manage change orders and coordinate modification records for oversight.
  • Lead configuration control boards and analyze proposed design changes regarding overall product impact.
  • Produce CM metrics and reports to demonstrate compliance and identify improvement opportunities.

Benefits

  • Health insurance coverage.
  • Life and disability insurance.
  • Savings plan.
  • Company paid holidays.
  • Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and personal business.
Full Job Description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman Defense Systems we are seeking an experienced Configuration Analyst to support our Armament Systems Business Unit located in Mesa, AZ.

Northrop Grumman's Armament Systems Division site in Mesa, Arizona produces automatic medium caliber gun systems. Northrop Grumman gun systems built for the U.S. and international militaries have been used in all major conflicts since World War II in a variety of applications to include small and large ground vehicles, helicopters, airplanes and naval ships.

Position Summary:

The Principal Configuration Analyst is a technical and process-focused role responsible for defining, implementing, and maintaining configuration management (CM) processes, tools, and baselines across product, IT, or engineering environments. This role ensures integrity, traceability, and compliance of configuration items (CIs) across the lifecycle, drives cross-functional configuration strategy, and mentors teams on CM best practices. This position is located in Mesa, Arizona.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Develop, own, and continuously improve configuration management policies, processes, and standards to ensure configuration integrity and auditability based on SAE EIA-649 and customer contract requirements.
  • Define, implement, and maintain configuration baselines for hardware, software, documentation, and related artifacts across multiple projects or product lines.
  • Job emphasis is placed on planning and coordination of project documentation, such as engineering drawings, production specifications and schedules, and contract modifications, to ensure customer contract requirements are met.
  • Reviews contracts to determine documentation required for each phase of project, applying knowledge of engineering and manufacturing processes.
  • Coordinates modification records for management control.
  • Manages change orders and change authorization documentation.
  • Reviews and analyses released engineering change data and coordinates changes with engineering, quality control, operations, manufacturing, and engineering data control activities.
  • The Northrop Grumman CM tool, Siemens Teamcenter will be used as the system of record for controlling document status and bills of material.
  • Manage configuration management tools (e.g., version control systems, CMDBs, release/configuration tools) and integrate them with CI/CD pipelines and lifecycle tools.
  • Lead configuration control boards (CCBs) or change review processes; Analyzes proposed changes of product design to determine effect on overall product and system.
  • Design and enforce traceability from requirements through design, build, test, and release; maintain relationships between configuration items.
  • Perform or coordinate configuration audits and reviews (functional and physical) and remedy any discrepancies uncovered.
  • Collaborate with engineering, product management, QA, and supply chain to ensure configuration alignment and readiness for release.
  • Provide mentorship, training, and guidance to configuration analysts, and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Produce CM metrics, dashboards, and reports to demonstrate compliance, stability, and improvement opportunities to senior leadership.
  • Drive automation to reduce manual CM work (baseline creation, packaging, versioning, deployments) and scale CM practices across the organization.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
  • 5+ years of experience in configuration management, change management, or product lifecycle management roles.
  • Practical knowledge of configuration management principles (versioning, baselines, item identification, change control, traceability, audits).
  • Hands-on experience with configuration management and version control tools (e.g., Git, Jira, TCUA). Utilize and manage tools such as Siemens Teamcenter and SharePoint
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to present CM status and recommendations to executive leadership.
  • Ability to focus on multiple projects with competing priorities.
  • U.S. Citizen and be able to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Certifications such as CMII (Configuration Management II), ITIL Practitioner/Expert, SAFe, or PMP.
  • Prior experience in regulated industries (aerospace, defense, medical devices, automotive) with audit and compliance requirements.


Core Skills & Competencies:
  • Strategic thinking and ability to translate strategy into executable CM plans.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; attention to detail.
  • Process design and continuous improvement mindset.
  • Risk assessment and mitigation related to configuration changes.
  • Ability to produce actionable CM metrics and actionable dashboards.


Working Conditions:
  • Office environment; occasional travel for cross-site coordination or audits.
  • On-call or release-support duties during major releases as needed.


Primary Level Salary Range: $81,400.00 - $122,000.00

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.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a security company that provides systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding, and technical services to government and commercial customers. They design, develop, and build everything from aircraft and spacecraft to cyber security systems. The company is involved in a wide range of defense and technology projects, including the development of aircraft, space systems, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced electronics.

Northrop Grumman Careers

Join the elite team at Northrop Grumman, a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products, and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. There has never been a more exciting time to advance your career with Northrop Grumman.

Work You’ll Do

At Northrop Grumman, your work will redefine the edges of technology and create a safer future. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing your whole self to work. Our team is at the forefront of innovation, collaborating to make the impossible, possible.

Explore Job Opportunities and Growth

Whether you’re looking for an internship, an entry-level position, or a spot for seasoned professionals, Northrop Grumman offers a variety of career paths that encourage growth and development. Explore job opportunities that elevate your skills, and push your career to the next level.

Join Our Diverse and Inclusive Team

Diversity and inclusion are the foundations of our culture. Northrop Grumman is committed to building a diverse team that fosters an inclusive environment, where every team member is valued for their unique perspectives and contributions. We believe that diversity fuels innovation.

Professional Development and Benefits

Northrop Grumman is dedicated to your professional and personal growth. We offer unparalleled benefits, including comprehensive health coverage, generous time off, and family care resources. Additionally, we provide extensive leadership and diversity training to help you craft your career path.

Networking and Leadership

Enhance your career through our robust networking opportunities. Connect with leaders and peers within Northrop Grumman through various events, mentorship programs, and professional groups. Our leadership is deeply invested in nurturing talent and guiding team members through their career journey.

Innovation in Technology

Drive technological breakthroughs with a company at the cutting edge of innovation. Northrop Grumman is a place where you can work on projects that push the boundaries of what is possible.

How to Apply

Ready to join our team? Check out the open positions on our Careers page. Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Prepare for your interview with us by researching our projects and understanding our company’s mission and values.

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Northrop Grumman Jobs

Discover the impact you can make with a career at Northrop Grumman. We are actively hiring and looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Search Northrop Grumman jobs today and find where your expertise is needed most. Join Northrop Grumman, and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference, not only within the company but in the world at large. Your journey to building a rewarding career starts here.
Learn more about Northrop Grumman
Size
88,000 employees
Market Cap
$82.7 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1939
5 Year Trend
+7.6%
Revenue
$36.7 billion
NASDAQ

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