Production Quality Engineering Manager 1

Production Quality Engineering Manager 1

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 Advanced Weapons is seeking a Production Quality Engineering Manager 1, to join our team. The Production Quality Engineering Manager will be responsible for the product and process compliance, through integration and delivery, to internal and external customers. This role assumes responsibility for the Quality Engineering (QE), Calibration and Quality Control Technician (QCT) functions at the Northridge and Ridgecrest, CA sites.

This position is required to be full-time, on site between the Northridge and Ridgecrest, CA locations. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position. Applicants must have the ability to obtain a US Government DoD Secret Clearance.

The Production Quality Engineering Manager leads the quality engineering function within the manufacturing organization, ensuring that all missile systems are produced in compliance with contractual, regulatory, and safety requirements. This role partners with program managers, global supply chain, manufacturing, and senior leadership to drive continuous improvement, maintain audit readiness, and uphold the integrity of our defense grade production processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Team Development
• Direct and mentor a team of 8+ quality engineers, quality control technicians, calibration specialists, and related staff across multiple sites (e.g., Northridge & Ridgecrest).
• Conduct performance reviews, create professional development plans, and foster a culture of zero defect manufacturing, proactive risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.
• Implement training programs for inspection, QE/QCT, and calibration personnel on ESD, FOD/FOE, contamination, and environmental controls and RCCA/CAPA.
• Quality Management System Oversight
• Own implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of ISO 9001/AS9100 procedures/policies, and other defense specific quality systems (Mil-specs, ITAR, DFARS).
• Ensure audit readiness for DoD, DCMA, NAVAIR, customer, and third party assessments; lead internal and external audits and drive corrective preventive action (CAPA) to closure.
• Process & Product Assurance
• Define, validate, and monitor production quality plans, inspection strategies, and test procedures.
• Oversee root cause analysis (RCA) of non conformances, field failures, warranty data, and failure investigations; implement CAPA and quality/reliability focused actions (PFMEA, DFMEA).
• Collaborate with Design Engineering to translate design requirements into manufacturable, inspectable and testable specifications.
• Manage/lead adjudication and expeditious closure of non-conformances through the PMRB and MRB with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure MRB Cage backlog is maintained within levels established by management.
• Supplier Quality & Procurement Collaboration
• Collaborate with the Supplier Quality organization to address supplier escapes into the factory.
• Work with Global Supply Chain and Supplier Quality to drive supplier corrective action plans and track their effectiveness.
• Metrics, Reporting & Data Driven Decision Making
• Track key quality indicators (PPM, DPMO, First Pass Yield, cost of poor quality) and present trend analyses and improvements to eliminate trends to senior leadership.
• Provide data driven recommendations for process redesign, automation, lean initiatives, and cost saving opportunities while maintaining compliance.
• Calibration, Inspection & Environmental Controls
• Oversee M&TE calibration activities, ensuring measurement and test equipment is maintained and aligned with production schedules.
• Digital Transformation & Work In Process (WIP) Management
• Support digital quality system rollouts and other technology enabled initiatives.
• Reconcile WIP, drive digital transformation projects, and ensure alignment with program objectives.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Six Sigma
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI methodologies; certify Green Belt/Black Belt team members as needed.
• Lead APQP, SPC, 5S, and digital quality system implementations across product development and production.
• Identify risks, implement root cause actions, track effectiveness, and disseminate lessons learned.
• Cross Functional RCCA/CAPA Leadership
• Lead cross functional RCCA/CAPA activities for non conformities internally and at key customer sites (e.g., NAWS China Lake, Edwards AFB).
• Drive work plan approvals, MRB/PMRB adjudication, and coordinate with external customers on corrective actions.
• Strategic Influence & Corporate Quality Initiatives
• Shape corporate wide quality strategy, emerging technology adoption, and innovative risk mitigation approaches.
• Influence QMA initiatives, support Return to Green plans, and ensure lessons learned are captured and shared organization wide.
• Results Orientation
• Meet or exceed quality, safety, delivery, employee, and cost goal expectations for both external and internal customers.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, grow, and inspire high performing teams while delivering mission critical outcomes.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree with 5+ years of Quality or Mission Assurance or a MS with 3+ years of the same experience.
• 4+ years of management and/or leadership experience leading teams of 5 or more personnel.
• Experience with AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports Standard.
• Experience with ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management System implementation & certification.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Root Cause Analysis tools such as Ishikawa, FMEA, DOE, 8D, & 5 Why Analysis.
• Past or current Certifications in IPC 7711/7721, IPC-A-610 and IPC/WHMA-A-620. (Will certify those that have held past certifications).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current US Government Secret Clearance
• Human Factors Training
• Certified AS9100 auditor or lead auditor
• TipQA, Costpoint and MES experience
• Lean / Six Sigma Green or Black-Belt Certified
• ASQ Certifications such as CQE, CQI, CQT, CQM, etc.