Mission Assurance Engineer 2/3

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 is currently seeking an experienced Mission Assurance Quality Engineer 2 or 3 level to support the Mission & Quality Assurance Functions at our Elkton, Maryland site.

The Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS&C) facility in Elkton, Maryland began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the Elkton PS&C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems in programs professionally managed for a wide variety of Government and commercial customers.  The facility also serves as the hub for offsite engineering and test facilities in Ronkonkoma, NY and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Elkton, Maryland is located on the Upper Chesapeake Bay, midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Discover charming small towns, parks with miles of trails, specialty and antique shops, award winning restaurants, and inns.  You can hike, bike, camp, bird watch, ride horseback, or drop a fishing line.  Five rivers, Chesapeake Bay and the C&D Canal can be explored by boat or by land. Experience panoramic views from Turkey Point Lighthouse on a bluff overlooking the Bay, or from the banks of the C&D Canal where ships from around the globe cruise. https://www.ccgov.org/government/tourism

Job Summary:

Implement mission assurance (MA) plans for individual programs supporting proposal, planning, design, manufacturing, integration, and test activities in accordance with company and contractual requirements. Work as a member of an integrated product team with NG Mission Assurance staff in various groups to address technical and quality issues, meet program requirements and ensure mission success. Interface with customers, vendors, and with NG Program Management, Planning, Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, Integration, and Test organizations to identify and resolve quality and mission/flight assurance issues.

Job Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain Quality Assurance programs, procedures and controls ensuring that products and services conform to company standards of excellence.

• Support the development, implementation and maintenance of quality policy and procedures within the Quality Management System (QMS) including performing internal audits to assess conformance.

• Interface with suppliers in the verification of product design, quality and reliability.

• Review practices, procedures and processes seeking avenues to improve efficiency and effectiveness and reduce risk to product quality.

• Interpret customer technical and MA requirements, and ensure these requirements are integrated into program plans, specifications and product drawings.

• Ensure program contract requirements are flowed down internally and to suppliers.

• Ensure compliance with contract program, quality, organizational, and industry alert requirements.

• Provide oversight in discrepancy review and failure investigations, as well as cause and corrective action determinations.

• Analyze and interpret trends and executes improvements on key metrics.

• Perform Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) analysis, and Problem Solving activities on program-specific, quality system and business system deficiencies.

• Represent Mission Assurance at various program reviews and review boards including but not limited to Configuration Control Board (CCB), Material Review Board (MRB), Program Management Reviews (PMR), Design/Peer Reviews, Manufacturing/Test Readiness Reviews and Corrective Action Board (CAB).

• Ensure Risk Management activities (including Design/Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis dFMEA/pFMEA) are executed according to standards and procedures.

Put your skills to the test by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From global defense to sustainment and modernization to deterring and defeating any adversary, your experience and ability will make it a reality. Our programs are built on equal parts of curiosity and collaboration. Our combined effort means our customers can connect and defend millions of people around the world. With Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the opportunity to be an essential part of projects that will define your career, now and in the future. #NGSkills

This requisition may be filled at either a Mission Assurance Engineer 2 or a Principal Mission Assurance Engineer 3

Basic Qualifications Mission Assurance Engineer 2:

• Must have 6 or more years of experience as a quality engineer, or a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering plus 2 years experience in a related field, or a Master’s degree in Engineering

• Application of technical expertise including complete understanding of fundamental engineering principles, practices, and theories

• Able to read engineering documentation (drawings, models, specs), interpret drawing dimensions, features, and parts lists, develop inspection plans, and identify critical features

• Intermediate to advanced computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to understand and work with multiple enterprise-wide systems

• Knowledge of Root Cause and Corrective Action tools, such as Ishikawa, FMEA, DOE,  KTA (Kepner Tregoe Analysis), 5Why, etc

• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems such as AS (Aerospace Standard) or ISO

• Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as strong interpersonal and problem solving skills

• Ability to work well in a team environment

• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance which requires US Citizenship as a prerequisite

Basic Qualifications Principal Mission Assurance Engineer 3:

• Must have 9 or more years of experience as a quality engineer, a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering plus 5 years experience in a related field, Master’s degree in Engineering plus 3 years’ experience, or a PhD

• Application of technical expertise including complete understanding of fundamental engineering principles, practices, and theories

• Able to read engineering documentation (drawings, models, specs), interpret drawing dimensions, features, and parts lists, develop inspection plans, and identify critical features

• Intermediate to advanced computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to understand and work with multiple enterprise-wide systems

• Knowledge of Root Cause and Corrective Action tools, such as Ishikawa, FMEA, DOE,  KTA (Kepner Tregoe Analysis), 5Why, etc

• Previous experience managing/supporting elements of a Quality Management System such as AS or ISO

• Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as strong interpersonal and problem solving skills

• Ability to work well in a team environment

• Self-starter and able to work independently through complex technical problems towards an implementable solution

• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance which requires US Citizenship as a prerequisite

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Secret Security Clearance

• Accredited certification in Quality and/or Mission assurance field

• Familiarity with key materials, technologies and/or processes such as machining, welding, CT scanning, additive manufacturing, laser/light inspection techniques, and chemical processing

• Demonstrated process control and improvement experience and knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma or similar tools 

This position falls under a Federal Explosives License issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for this location.  Candidates hired into this role will be required to complete and submit an Employee Possessor Questionnaire to ATF for approval to be a possessor.

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Salary Range: $70,900 USD - $106,300 USD

Salary Range 2: $87,800 USD - $131,600 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.