DESCRIPTION

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 Space Systems is seeking a Principal/Quality Engineer (Level 2/3) to join our Launch Vehicles’ Supplier Quality Engineering team in Chandler, AZ.
Due to the sensitive nature of our work this is a fully on-site position; hybrid or remote work is not available. Relocation is not available for this role.

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and implement supplier quality standards to ensure compliance with company and industry regulations.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes for supplier-related quality issues.
• Establish and maintain strong, productive relationships with key suppliers, fostering a collaborative approach to continuous quality improvement.
• Conduct supplier audits, assessments, and performance reviews to drive adherence to quality standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Manufacturing, and Procurement, to identify quality risks and support product development and manufacturing.
• Utilize data-driven analysis to identify trends in supplier quality issues and implement strategic improvements.
• Mentor and guide other members of the quality engineering team to enhance their skills in supplier quality management.
• Develop and present supplier quality metrics and performance reports to senior leadership.
• Facilitate Hardware Acceptance Reviews with direct customers and program representatives at supplier sites.
• Process Non-Conformance reports from initiation to closure, including facilitating and collaborating with suppliers and engineering to complete dispositions, failure analysis, and root cause and corrective actions.
• Review End Item Data Packet documentations to ensure compliance to required contract deliverables.
• Assist identifying required Quality Provision flow downs to suppliers based on commodity and customer requirements.
• Review technical documents such as assembly drawings, Acceptance and Qualification Test Procedures, technical manuals, and work instructions.
• Devise and implement methods and procedures for inspecting, testing and evaluating the precision and accuracy of products and production equipment.

This position may be filled as a Quality Engineer (Level 2) or a Principal Quality Engineer (Level 3)

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Quality Engineer (Level 2): Bachelor of Science in Engineering +2 years of relevant experience OR Master’s Degree + 0 years of experience
OR
Principal Quality Engineer (Level 3): Bachelor of Science in Engineering +5 years of relevant experience; Master’s Degree + 3 years of experience; PhD + 0 years of experience

Required for both levels:

• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance, which generally requires US Citizenship as a prerequisite
• Experience working with TipQa, MES, CostPoint or similar software
• Experience investigating failures and identifying root cause on flight hardware.
• Proven problem-solving skills, with experience in root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action processes, and data analysis.
• Experience with industry standards and regulations, such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or TS16949
• Proficiency in quality tools such as Six Sigma, FMEA, SPC, and Lean Manufacturing principles
• Demonstrated ability to work without oversight in a multi-discipline environment, providing insight and solutions to complicated issues both technical and procedural
• Solid written and verbal interpersonal, communication skills and confidence to brief senior management with solid foundation in Mission/Quality Assurance applications.
• Ability to coordinate customer communications across multiple, diverse sites
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate quality issues effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to travel to supplier sites as needed

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing process.
• Certified in Lean and Six-Sigma methodologies
• Certification in Quality Engineering (CQE) or Supplier Quality (CSQP) is a plus.
• Experience with ERP systems and data analysis tools (e.g., SAP, Minitab)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Please refer the Job description for details