Quality Engineer/ Principal 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.

AOA Xinetics (AOX), a wholly owned Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Payload and Ground Systems Division Strategic Business Venture, designs, develops, and manufactures precision, advanced optical products and systems such as deformable mirrors, optical systems, adaptive optics control systems and silicon carbide optical structures for the U.S. Government, commercial customers, and U.S. defense prime and second-tier contractors. Markets for these technologies include civilian astronomy and semiconductor capital equipment as well as defense Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)  and Directed Energy.

We are seeking a Quality Engineer to support the Space Payload and Ground Systems Division in its Drive for Excellence and work with our team of experts in developing and delivering Space PGS systems and solutions that keep our world safe. AOX delivers industrial photonics systems and development services for a variety of customers and applications. AOX excels in a range of applications from adaptive optical systems, deformable mirrors, wave-front sensors, precision actuators, to photonic systems that acquire and process data in real time for a variety of high availability applications.

Overview

Reporting to the Quality Manager, the Quality Engineer will develop, modify, apply and maintain quality evaluation and control systems and protocols for processing materials into partially finished or finished product.  You will collaborate with engineering and manufacturing functions to ensure quality standards are in place and met at all times; you will devise and implement methods, procedures, and plans for evaluating the precision and - conformance of products characteristics. You will also audit the Quality and Business Management Systems for effectiveness.  You will ensure that corrective measures when implemented, meet acceptable reliability standards and that documentation is compliant with requirements. You will have input in the areas of design, supplied material, production control, product evaluation and reliability, inventory control and/or research and development as they apply to product or process quality, and an added plus if possesses lean and six-sigma quality engineering methodologies.

This position may be filled as either a Quality Engineer (level 2) or a Principal Quality Engineer (level 3).

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement Program Quality Plans for opto-electrical components, sub-systems and systems, based on customer and internal specification requirements

• Develop and maintain standards for quality, including operating methods, processes, systems and procedures; Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering to establish and sustain process capability

• Evaluate components and sub-systems;  Review and verify electro-optical testing methods and test environments; Compile data and define changes required in product design, testing equipment, testing procedures, manufacturing processes, or new testing requirements; Evaluate product compliance and readiness to release 

• Recommend test methods, statistical process control procedures for achieving required levels of product Quality, and propose changes to improve system and/or process capability

• Develop documentation as required to support customer and test/certification requirements

• Perform first article qualifications, Failure Investigations, and effectively drive resolution processes. Manage improvement projects to drive Operational Excellence

• Participate in MRB Process

• Support and process Mission Assurance requirements as needed

• Execute other assignments based on Business needs

Basic Qualifications for a Quality Engineer (level 2):

• Bachelor's degree in Science or a STEM discipline

• 3+ years’ relevant experience in manufacturing or quality assurance

• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS9100

• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

• Experience developing and implementing Program Quality Plans and support processes

• Ability to interpret Engineering Drawings

• Experience using product verification instruments including CMM – CMM programming capability is a plus

• Experience in RCCA; Continuous Improvement;  and Process Engineering

• Proficiency with MS Office applications

• U.S. Citizenship required for employment

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Basic Qualifications for a Principal Quality Engineer (level 3):

• Same as above, but with 5+ years relevant experience in manufacturing or quality assurance

• Understanding of ISO 9001 and AS9100

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Science, or a STEM discipline

• 5+ years’ expertise in Quality Assurance

• Proficient in application of Process Engineering methodologies

• Proficiency in QMS auditing

• ASQ Certification(s) or Equivalent Quality Certification(s)

• Understanding of Configuration Management process

• Ability to provide training on the application of Quality methodologies

• Lean / Six Sigma Green Certification

• Strong Analytical and Technical acumen

• Exceptional presentation skills

• DoD/Defense Contractor Industry experience (e.g. Aerospace/ Space /Defense/Mission/Semiconductor)

• Knowledge of Manufacturing Operational Excellence

• Knowledge of Process Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (PFMEA);

Physical Requirements:

• Position is located in Devens MA and provides on-site support in our East Hartford facility

• Occasional domestic travel required up to 10% of the time 

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time and light physical effort required

• Ability to lift 10lbs

Salary Range: $74,900 USD - $112,300 USD

Salary Range 2: $92,200 USD - $138,400 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.