Manager Tool Quality Engineering 2

Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems is currently recruiting for a Tool Quality Engineering Manager 2, who will provide support to our Aerospace Structures Business Unit (ASBU), as they lead the Tool Quality Engineers and Tool Quality Inspectors, who are located across multiple sites and states. 

This position involves providing leadership to the ASBU Tool Quality Engineering Organization.  This includes managing exempt and non-exempt employees working multiple aerospace programs, and maintaining responsibility for the acceptance and release of correctly built and properly functioning tools.  A strong understanding of how Specialty Tooling is designed, and inspection of said tooling, would be a basic necessity for this position.  This level of leadership would also be responsible for the combined strategic (long-term) and tactical (short-term) management planning activities. In this role the manager must demonstrate consistent use of the following competencies: Business acumen, composure, delegating, interpersonal diplomacy, planning, time management, timely decision making, presentation skills.

As a leader, you always act with integrity, and the highest ethical standards characterize everything you do. You enable your team to achieve predictable and balanced results, while satisfying the needs of internal and external partners. You treat all people with respect, and you model personal growth and continuous development. You know how to build an inclusive environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. You develop trusted and valued customer relationships and communicate effectively, so that people throughout the organization feel engaged and connected to their work. You deliver excellence, strive for continuous improvement, and respond vigorously to change.

Responsibilites:

• Has overall responsibility for execution of Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost objectives, along with employee engagement for the Tool Quality Organization
• Strong focus on supporting a safe work environment, Zero Defects, and continuous improvement activities
• Leads both Tool Quality Engineers and Tool Quality Inspectors, with vision, motivation, and innovation
• Manages both the strategic and short-term tactical activities of the work area
• Responsible for proactive resource management to mitigate production schedule risks
• Support a work environment characterized by employee involvement and participative management to encourage the highest level of employee commitment and cooperation
• Manage inspection team staffing levels to support customer requirements while maintaining efficient operations
• Standardize the role of Tool Quality Engineering and Tool Quality Inspection across sites and programs
• Train entry level staff on the role and function of Tool Quality Engineering and Tool Quality Inspection

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (STEM) and 5+ years of related work experience, or Master's Degree (STEM) and 3+ years of related work experience or PHD and 2+ years of related work experience
• Minimum of two years previous leadership experience in a manufacturing team environment
• Familiarity with Tool Design and the inspection of Specialty Tooling, including the use of SMI and more complex measuring equipment.
• Strong interpersonal skills – including ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with stakeholders and customers, at all levels
• Strong technical skills and demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, as a team leader and member
• Active, or have the ability to obtain a, DoD Secret clearance required to start.  And ability to obtain Special Program Access (PAR) within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company, to meet its business needs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Have technical and in-depth knowledge of Tool Quality Assurance functions across all ASBU locations
• Awareness of Northrop Grumman QMS and Capable of verifying, updating, and flow down of department procedures for technical adequacy
• Understanding laser tracker inspections and CMM data for the acceptance of tools and documenting the results
• Holds a Special Program Access (PAR) clearance.
• Experience with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
• Experience and familiarity with assembly tooling and/or inspection requirements
• Ability to communicate/interface with multiple levels, such as Customer, Suppliers, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Tool Design to interpret, analyze, and advise on the data/inspection results
• Strong coursework in Math (Geometry & Trigonometry)
• Demonstrated success managing and developing employees technical skills
• Proven leadership experience with mid to high rate production programs
• Strong working knowledge of composites manufacturing and inspection processes
• Demonstrated success in leading teams to consistently meet customer expectations
• Demonstrated commitment to creating and maintaining a safe work environment
• Understanding and use of root cause analysis
• Demonstrated success in maximizing resources and throughput
• Demonstrated ability to remove waste from inspection processes
• Aerospace or aviation experience strongly desired
• Skills and knowledge to interpret codes, standards, and other contractual documents that control tooling
• Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, and other Quality accreditation systems strongly preferred
• Positive attitude and ambition to excel / advance in skills and knowledge
• Attention to detail and an ability to produce error-free products and accurately complete paperwork
• History of working effectively with coworkers, managers, and other employees in a team environment
• Strong commitment to continuous improvement; ability to proactively network and establish effective working relationships, must pursue cost-containment efforts related to inspection processes
• Conflict management skills and negotiation skills

The health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.