Sr Principal Engineer Mission Assurance
Northrop Grumman· Defense· Aug 28, 2026 · 2mo ago
United States-California-Sunnyvale
In office
Full-time
Principal
$168K–$230K est.
8+ years exp
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
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.
We are looking for you to join us as a Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer based in Sunnyvale, CA in the heart of Silicon Valley! This position is fully on-site (no remote or hybrid schedules).
What You'll Get to Do:
• Interpret customer technical and MA requirements, as well as internal quality requirements, and ensure these requirements are integrated into program plans, quality 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.
• Represent Mission Assurance at various program reviews and review boards including but not limited to Configuration Control Boards (CCB), Material Review Board (MRB), Program Management Reviews (PMR), Design/Peer Reviews, Manufacturing/Test Readiness Reviews and Corrective Action Boards (CAB).
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing functions to ensure quality standards are in place
• Drive solutions to technical and process problems with cross-functional teams
• Responsible for developing Basis of Estimates to ensure sufficient Quality oversight on key Development and Sustainment captures and programs.
• Drive concepts like Design Quality, Cost of Quality, FMEA and similar measures designed to help drive improvement.
• Perform Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) analysis, and Problem-Solving activities on program-specific, quality system and business system deficiencies.
• Perform statistical analysis to assess the cost of and determine the responsibility for, products or materials that do not meet required standards and specifications
• Assess program performance and risks; develop handling plans for Quality risks and opportunities.
• Support the development, implementation and maintenance of quality policy and procedures within the Quality Management System (QMS) including supporting external audits and performing internal audits to assess conformance.
• Review practices, procedures and processes seeking avenues to improve efficiency and effectiveness and reduce risk to product quality and personnel.
• Provide oversight in discrepancy review and failure investigations, as well as cause and corrective action determinations. Analyze and interpret trends and execute improvements on key metrics.
As a Mission Assurance professional for Quality and Mission Assurance, you are first and foremost committed to treating all people with respect. You model personal growth and are a feverish champion for continuous development both personally and for your team. You are someone that always chooses to act with integrity and you believe that high ethical and moral standards characterize who you are by the things you choose to do. You are someone that chooses to enable your team to achieve predictable and balanced results all while also satisfying the needs of both your internal and external customers. You have a track record that proves you know how to support a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that will attract, retain, and encourage diverse and engaged talent. You choose to build trusted and valued partner relationships and you're effective at verbal and written communications. You choose to deliver perfection, strive for continuous improvement, and respond vigorously to change. You lastly, but certainly not least consistently work to ensure your team and the teams you support are armed with the information and tools needed for optimal performance. If this description describes you and you wish to join a fast-paced team that builds and executes strategies that result in sustainable value creation then we need you on our team!
Basic Qualifications for the Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer:
• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM related field with a minimum of 8 years of experience in Quality, Quality Engineering, Program Management, Engineering Management or Manufacturing; Master's Degree with with a minimum of 6 years of experience.
• Experience with quality engineering principles, manufacturing operations, product inspection, test & evaluation, reliability, root cause analysis, defect analysis, inspection methods, control of nonconforming material, product sell off, shipping, and product support as they apply to quality.
• Experience with ISO 9001 / AS9100 Quality Management System certification process.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required
Preferred Qualifications:
• Defense Industry experience as a Program or Project Manager, Quality Manager, Engineering Manager or Manufacturing Management.
• Lean / Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification to help drive continuous improvement.
• CAM/Earned Value certification.
• Active Secret Clearance.
#MPR
Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00
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 northropgrumman.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Application prep
Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.
- Platform
- eightfold
- Effort
- medium
Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Health Insurance
Pto
Paid Time Off