Northrop Grumman

Principal/ Sr Principal Mission Assurance Engineer - 18208

United States-Alabama-Huntsville
Full-time
$108,800.00 - $163,200.00
Posted Nov 4, 2026

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Skills

Procurement
Quality Management Systems
Root Cause Analysis
SAP
Jira
Six Sigma
Supply Chain

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

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.

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems in air and space that impact people’s lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our work preserves freedom, democracy, and advances human discovery and our understanding of the universe. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future and have a lot of 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 Defense Systems is seeking a Principal/Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer to support the SLCM-N Program Quality & Mission Assurance Team in Huntsville, AL. This role supports a robust Quality Management System to ensure products and services meet internal and external requirements and promote mission success, with a strong focus on supplier quality and mission assurance. The ideal candidate is a team player and strong independent contributor with demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and a proactive, detail-oriented approach.

What You'll Get To Do:

Primary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

•Review and extract quality and mission assurance requirements from contracts, statements of work, specifications, test plans/procedures, and reports.

•Establish, implement, and maintain program mission assurance plans and practices for both in-house and supplier-provided items.

•Tailor and implement QMS procedures (AS9100/ISO 9001); conduct internal audits and drive closure of nonconformances.

•Integrate mission assurance requirements into program plans, product documents, and supplier contracts/purchase orders.

•Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and company quality requirements.

•Supplier Quality / Mission Assurance

•Develop and implement supplier quality evaluation and control systems aligned with contract and NG requirements.

•Assess supplier processes and product quality; ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and technical standards.

•Lead supplier risk management (classification, pre-award capability assessments, source selection evaluations).

•Conduct supplier audits, performance assessments, and product/process verification; monitor performance trends and report risks.

•Manage supplier nonconformances, waivers, deviations, and MRB activities; lead root cause and corrective/preventive actions.

•Oversee source inspections and customer coordination; verify End Item Data Packages and travelers prior to shipment.

•Maintain the approved supplier list and SAP Vendor/Part Master data; use performance data to evaluate supplier capability.

•Interface with program management, engineering, procurement, and supplier management to align procurements with mission assurance objectives.

•Communicate supplier performance, quality status, and risks to senior management and key stakeholders.

•Program & Technical Quality

•Provide oversight of discrepancy reviews, failure investigations, and trend analysis; implement improvements to key quality metrics.

•Represent Mission Assurance as required at MRB, CCB, FRB, PMR, software peer reviews, TRB, and SRR.

•Conduct CDRL reviews, supplier audits, and inspections.

•Witness software testing, qualification, and integration/test; provide lab support for software test readiness.

•Develop and deliver metrics, reports, and presentations for management and customers.

Position Benefits:

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

•Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

•401k

•Educational Assistance

•Life Insurance

•Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions

•Paid Time Off

•Health & Wellness Resources

•Employee Discounts

This positions standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Basic Qualification s:

The role can be filled at Principal Mission Assurance Engineer(T3) or Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer (T4)

Principal Mission Assurance Engineer: Bachelors in Science degree from an accredited university and 5 years of relevant experience, OR a Masters degree and 3 years of relevant experience, OR a PhD and 1 year of relevant experience.

•U.S. Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance, current and within scope (investigation within the last 6 years).

•Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a company defined timeframe.

•Experience developing, planning, and implementing quality methods and strategies for procured items (design, procurement, acceptance, and use).

•Experience with AS9100/ISO 9001 requirements and QMS implementation.

•Experience performing internal and/or supplier quality audits.

•Experience with root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action tools.

•Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

•Willingness and ability to travel 25–50% of the time.

Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer: Bachelors in Science degree from an accredited university and 8 years of relevant experience, OR a Masters degree and 6 years of relevant experience, OR a PhD and 4 years of relevant experience.

•U.S. Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance, current and within scope (investigation within the last 6 years).

•Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a company defined timeframe.

•Experience developing, planning, and implementing quality methods and strategies for procured items (design, procurement, acceptance, and use).

•Experience with AS9100/ISO 9001 requirements and QMS implementation.

•Experience performing internal and/or supplier quality audits.

•Experience with root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action tools.

•Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

•Willingness and ability to travel 25–50% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications:

•Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university.

•Active DoD Top Secret Clearance.

•Lead auditor experience and/or formal training for AS9100/ISO 9001.

•Experience in implementing AS9145 in a program and its supply chain

•Extensive on-site experience with aerospace/defense industry suppliers.

•Six Sigma or Lean certification.

•ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or similar professional certification.

•Experience with enterprise tools (e.g., SAP, Jira, Confluence).

•Demonstrated success building and maintaining positive supplier relationships and resolving supplier quality issues.

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and 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 application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity 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 and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.