RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems Sector is seeking a Staff Engineer Mission Assurance to join our team in Linthicum, MD. This role leads risk-based audits and assessments, drives measurable process improvement, and strengthens Mission Assurance execution across factory, program and support functions. The successful candidate translates requirements into practical, scalable controls; identifies systemic issues through objective audits; and partners cross-functionally to implement corrective actions and sustain improved performance What you'll get to do: Audit leadership & compliance assurance Plan and execute internal audits/assessments across assigned process areas; define audit criteria and scope and ensure alignment to applicable quality standards and requirements. Ensure audit objectivity and impartiality; prepare clear results, findings, and leadership communications, including recommended actions and follow-through Coordinate audit schedules and publish/maintain audit planning information as required. Process improvement & corrective action Identify systemic drivers of nonconformance and performance gaps; lead cross-functional root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action implementation. Define, standardize, and improve processes to reduce cycle time, improve quality outcomes, and increase compliance maturity through sustainable controls. Establish performance indicators and governance cadence to ensure improvements are sustained and auditable. Mission Assurance execution & stakeholder partnership Partner with functional stakeholders to integrate Mission Assurance expectations into execution, including managing program and factory impacts and supporting internal corrective action processes when issues arise. Support/enable independent cross-audit activity where applicable and ensure evidence/artifacts are maintained appropriately. Provide leadership-ready insights: risks, trends, systemic weaknesses, and recommended strategies to improve mission success outcomes. The ideal candidate must be able to communicate written and verbally working across multiple organizations/programs and drive alignment on requirements, controls, and execution, work in a team environment, establish relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and familiar with electronic and/or machining equipment. Basic Qualifications for the Staff Engineer Mission Assurance: Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience in a quality, manufacturing, production, or industrial environment: Master's Degree with 10 years of experience: Associates Degree with 14 years of experience: OR 16 years of experience in a quality, manufacturing, production, or industrial environment in lieu of degree. Experience leading internal audits (quality/system/process) including defining audit scope/criteria and communicating results/findings. Experience leading process improvement and corrective action activities (root cause, action planning, implementation, verification). U.S Citizenship is required. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance. Preferred Qualifications: Internal auditor qualification/training consistent with sector expectations (e.g., accredited auditor training paths). Experience operating within Mission Assurance environments and managing program impacts tied to quality/nonconformance/corrective actions. Experience supporting independent audit activities and maintaining audit evidence/artifacts in accordance with governance expectations Active Secret Clearance. #MPR Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 - $253,600.00 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.