RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: None TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time The Principal Engineer Quality (Level 3) will be responsible for leading product and process quality assurance activities including the nonconforming material MRB process, performing root cause analysis and corrective actions (RCCA), and collaborating across integrated product teams (IPTs) to improve program performance. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence growth and production ramp-up while sustaining production quality, and operate with high visibility to site and program leadership. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off. In this job, you will: - Develop, implement, and maintain product and process quality assurance activities in a composites hardware manufacturing environment for space programs. - Lead the Nonconforming Material Review Board (MRB) process in accordance with customer requirements and company procedures, including coordination of investigations, documentation, and dispositions. - Plan and execute root cause analysis and corrective actions (RCCA) using structured methods (e.g., 5-Why, 8D, Fishbone) to address nonconformances and systemic issues. - Analyze and interpret quality performance metrics (e.g., Cost of Poor Quality, First Pass Yield (FPY), scrap, rework, escapes) to identify trends, prioritize issues, and drive data-informed improvement projects. - Collaborate with cross-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) including Manufacturing, Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Mission Assurance to drive program performance and achieve quality, cost, and schedule objectives. - Support and, as appropriate, lead internal and external quality audits, including AS9100-based audits, customer audits, and corporate audits; ensure timely closure of findings and corrective actions. - Interpret and apply engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and work instructions to ensure product and process compliance. - Develop, review, and improve work instructions and quality-related process documentation to enhance clarity, robustness, and compliance. - Provide hands-on floor support in a production environment, interfacing directly with operators, technicians, and engineers to troubleshoot issues and implement effective solutions. - Partner with suppliers and/or Supply Chain to support supplier-facing quality interactions as needed, including participation in issue resolution and corrective action activities. - Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, and other quality tools to reduce variation, improve capability, and reduce Cost of Poor Quality. - Communicate status, risks, and opportunities to site and program leadership, ensuring transparency of quality performance and action plans. - Other duties as assigned If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team! Basic Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience. - Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance - Experience in manufacturing quality engineering or quality assurance in an AS9100 or similar regulated environment. - Familiarity with Quality Management Systems, Root Cause Analysis tools, and MRB processes. - Experience with reading and interpreting technical specifications and engineering drawings, including GD&T. - Experience with translating technical specifications into quality control plans, including development and implementation of measurement methods to assure product quality. - Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) - Strong written and verbal communication skills. Preferred Qualifications: - ASQ CQE, Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt - Demonstrated success interfacing with external customers and suppliers. - Demonstrated success in driving internal manufacturing improvements (e.g. FPY improvements, COPQ reductions) collaboratively within a cross-functional IPT. - Proficiency with systems & tools such as Solumina MES, TipQA, CostPoint, SAP. - Active Secret or SCI Clearance Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00 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.