Flight Test Quality Engineer

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS) is looking for a Quality Engineer supporting a Flight Test team at Palmdale/EAFB, CA.

This Entry Level Flight Test Quality Engineer (FTQE) position will support the development and implementation of program quality plans, policies, and procedures that support the execution of a safe and effective Flight Test Program.  The FTQE will ensure that the flight test environment and quality of products conform to established customer and engineering requirements.  The position requires the review, analysis on quality discrepancies related to assembly, process, mechanical, electrical and electromechanical systems and other related ground and flight related discrepancies.

Essential Functions:

Interfacing with Flight Test management, Flight Test Engineers, System Test Engineers, Design/Liaison engineering, customers, and suppliers (via Sub contract Management) Identifying systemic issues through trend analysis, issuing requests for corrective actions and recommending corrective and preventative actions; Supporting the MRB process for dispositions and modifications required in a flight test environment. Ensure USAF Tech Pub/instructions are adhered to include comprehensive understanding of TO 00-20-1. Understanding Ground Flight Risk Clause and Government Flight Representative (GFR) responsibilities of DCMAI 8210.1 and auditing adherence to Flight and Ground Contractor Operating Procedures. Additionally, the selected FTQE will support Flight Test inspection activities during system ground and flight-testing of Systems. The FTQE will support the verification process by ensuring the air vehicle, mission, and test control rooms are configured and functioning per design, have completed formal ground acceptance testing and are ready to enter flight-testing. 

FTQE will provide guidance TO Flight Inspectors and interface on technical issues during Test that included the areas of:

Sub-system integration

Fuel system

Weight and balance

Landing gear checks

Electrical and hydraulic system checks

Flight controls

Navigations systems

Mission management system.

Control rooms and Labs

Hardwar/Software configuration

In addition, the selected candidate will support Test/Flight Readiness Reviews and all flight brief and debriefs. The candidate will also be required to support deferred action boards, and represent Quality Leadership on site by coordinating and interaction with Flight Test management and scheduled priorities. Good verbal and nonverbal communication skills is needed to effectively communicate with their leadership team and be effective in leading in investigations and determining Root Cause and Corrective Actions.

Basic Qualifications:

• Candidate must have a minimum of 2 years of Aerospace or Quality Engineering experience with a Bachelor’s of Science (STEM Degree); 1 year with Masters, 0 years with a PhD
• Understand root cause and corrective action.
• Understanding of DCMAI 8210.1 Requirements to include FOE compliance and audits
• Familiarity of the Quality Management System (AS9100D)
• Active DoD Secret Clearance that is in-scope Granted or renewed in the last 5 years
• Ability to obtain Special Program Access (PAR)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Tool suite (i.e.: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Must be able to work on site

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current Special Program Access (PAR)
• Experience in a Flight Line/Flight Test environment
• Previous Mission Assurance Experience
• Technical Understanding of instrumentation systems and architectures.
• Understanding of complex quality policies, procedures, governmental contractual requirements and deliverables.

Salary Range: $77,100 USD - $115,700 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 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.