Senior /Principal Program Quality Engineer

Job Description:

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a talented Quality Engineer to join our team in Sunnyvale, CA.   The selected candidate will represent the Quality and Mission Excellence department supporting a program or programs in a Program Quality Engineer role, with responsibility for the overall program quality over the lifecycle of the program. 

Note:  This position requires a primarily on-site presence, however some teleworking flexibility may be possible, subject to employee experience/performance, and subject to program and organizational needs.

Join Northrop Grumman on our continued mission to push the boundaries of possible across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Enjoy a culture where your voice is valued and start contributing to our team of passionate professionals providing real-life solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. We take pride in creating purposeful work and allowing our employees to grow and achieve their goals every day by Defining Possible. With our competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, we have the right opportunities to fit your life and launch your career today.

Role and Responsibilities:

The Quality Engineer supports a Program or Programs in a Program Quality Engineer role, with responsibility for the overall program quality over the lifecycle of the program. The Program Quality Engineer’s primary responsibilities across this lifecycle include:   

• Developing and Supporting Program proposal activities,
• Developing and implementing the Program Quality Plan,
• Planning/establishing the baseline for the Program quality scope,
• Support execution of the Program’s procurement, manufacturing, and test plans,
• Monitoring and control of both supplier and manufacturing performance,
• Driving and supporting Continuous Improvement (CI) activities on the Program, and
• Establishing good working relationships with customer and government representatives to facilitate demonstration of conformance to requirements of the finished work products. 

Additionally, the Quality Engineer:

• Develops, modifies, applies and maintains quality evaluation and control systems and protocols for processing materials into partially finished or finished materials product.
• Collaborates with engineering and manufacturing functions to ensure quality standards are in place.
• Devises and implements methods and procedures for inspecting, testing and evaluating the precision and accuracy of products and production equipment.
• Designs and analyzes inspection and testing processes, mechanisms and equipment; conducts quality assurance tests; and performs statistical analysis to assess the cost of and determine the responsibility for, products or materials that do not meet required standards and specifications.
• Audits quality systems for deficiency identification and correction.
• Ensures that corrective measures meet acceptable reliability standards and that documentation is compliant with requirements.

This requisition may be filled as a Principal Quality Engineer or Senior Principal Quality Engineer.

Basic Qualifications (Principal Quality Engineer) level 3:

• Bachelor's degree in a related STEM field and 5+ years of experience in a quality assurance, mission assurance, or related engineering role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the basic principles in various engineering disciplines. Ability to solve routine design and engineering tasks without assistance
• Ability to successfully engage with manufacturing and QC personnel on the shop floor to provide solutions and coach and mentor others in the use of Quality principles and practices
• Must be familiar with standard Visual and Mechanical Inspection techniques and tools.
• Experience in root cause analysis and corrective action
• Good computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Word, Projects, and Excel
• Able to communicate and work effectively in a team setting
• Ability to travel, up to 25%
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance (US Citizenship required).

Preferred Qualifications (Principal Quality Engineer):

• Demonstrated experience working in a Program Quality role in multiple phases of a program lifecycle.
• Experience leading Quality activities in an ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management System Environment
• Strong Familiarity with standard non-destructive testing techniques and tools in a fabrication, machining, and assembly environment. 
• Experience performing Earned Value Management responsibilities as a Control/Cost Account Manager.
• Experience developing, collecting, and analyzing metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal oversight and lead cross-functional teams towards solutions in a multi-discipline team environment.
• Excellent problem solving skills in a manufacturing environment implementing solutions to complicated technical issues.  Green Belt Certification is a plus.
• Experience leading/facilitating Root Cause Corrective Action activities
• Experience conducting or managing internal audits
• Experience working on DOD contracts and on Supplier Quality efforts

Basic Qualifications (Senior Quality Engineer) level 4:

• Bachelor's degree in a related STEM field and 2+ years of experience in a quality assurance, mission assurance, or related engineering role.
• Developing knowledge of the basic principles in various engineering disciplines. Ability to solve routine design and engineering tasks with minor assistance
• Ability to successfully engage with manufacturing and QC personnel on the shop floor to provide solutions using Quality principles and practices
• Must be familiar with standard Visual and Mechanical Inspection techniques and tools.
• Experience in root cause analysis and corrective action
• Good computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Word, Projects, and Excel
• Able to communicate and work effectively in a team setting
• Ability to travel, up to 25%
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance (US Citizenship required).

Preferred Qualifications (Senior Quality Engineer):

• Demonstrated experience working in a Program Quality role
• Experience working within an ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management System Environment
• Familiarity with standard non-destructive testing techniques and tools in a fabrication, machining, and assembly environment. 
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management.
• Experience collecting and analyzing metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal oversight and in a multi-discipline team environment.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills in a manufacturing environment implementing solutions to complicated technical issues
• Ability to document, plan and manage projects
• Experience working on DOD contracts and on Supplier Quality efforts

What We Can Offer You –
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

MAQEA

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.