Principal Quality Analyst

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

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 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 Mission Systems Sector is seeking a Principal Quality Analyst to join our team in Charlottesville, VA.

Principal Quality Analyst supporting CHO machine shop operations, responsible for developing and leading quality plans, SPC-based process controls, and continuous improvement initiatives for precision machined components. This role drives defect reduction, yield improvement, and compliance to drawing, customer, and regulatory requirements by leading RCCA/CAPA, analyzing quality data and trends, and partnering closely with machinists, programmers, manufacturing engineering, and program teams to ensure robust, repeatable, and auditable processes.

What You'll Get To Do:

• Own the development, deployment, and continuous improvement of quality plans, control plans, and inspection procedures for machined components and hardware produced in the CHO machine shop.
• Apply advanced statistical process control (SPC) and data analytics to monitor machining process performance (e.g., key dimensions, tool wear, capability indices), identify special-cause variation, and drive reduction of scrap, rework, and escapes.
• Review, analyze, and report on quality discrepancies related to machining, deburring, finishing, and associated operations; translate nonconformance and inspection data into clear, actionable insights for machine shop and CHO leadership.
• Lead cross-functional root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities for recurring machining defects and process issues using structured problem-solving tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA, fault tree).
• Define, implement, and verify the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to prevent recurrence of dimensional, material, and process-related issues impacting cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Partner closely with machine shop supervisors, CNC programmers, manufacturing engineers, quality inspection, and program teams to ensure requirements are correctly interpreted, flowed down to shop floor travelers/programs, and verifiably met.
• Interface with customers, vendors, and subcontractors on machine shop quality topics to clarify technical requirements, resolve quality concerns, and support robust acceptance criteria and verification methods.
• Provide expert guidance on quality dispositions, rework/repair instructions, and configuration control for machined parts, ensuring alignment with drawings, specifications, and contractual requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and track machine shop quality metrics and dashboards (e.g., first-pass yield, DPPM, scrap and rework rates, RCCA cycle time, capability indices) to enable data-driven decisions and continuous improvement.
• Ensure adherence to applicable quality management system and sector requirements (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, NG quality procedures) within machine shop documentation, processes, and records.
• Mentor and coach quality analysts, inspectors, and machinists in the effective use of quality tools, interpretation of inspection results, and execution of RCCA and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead and oversee First Article Inspection (FAI) planning, execution, documentation, and performance tracking to ensure full compliance with customer, drawing, and AS9102 requirements.

Basic Qualifications – Level 3

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience in quality, manufacturing, or assembly; OR a Master's degree and 3 years of experience in quality, manufacturing or assembly; OR an Associate’s Degree with 7 years of experience in quality, manufacturing, or assembly; OR 9 years of quality, manufacturing, or contract experience may be accepted in lieu of Bachelor's degree
• Demonstrated expertise in understanding geometrical dimensioning & tolerancing, and applying knowledge to determine metal fabrication inspection methodology
• Demonstrated expertise with various product verification tools and associated applicability (examples include CMM, FARO arms, micrometers, height gages, comparators, thread gages etc.)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance
• US Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Computerized Measurement System (e.g. CMM, FARO, Keyence, etc) programming using PC-DMIS, PolyWorks or equivalent software package
• Experience working with SAP/MES interfaces
• Familiarity with ISO9001:2015 or AS9100D quality systems
• Experience as a manufacturing or inspection team lead or supervisor
• Experience developing inspection plans

 

Primary Level Salary Range: $81,400.00 - $122,000.00

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.