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Senior

Principal/Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer - 18385

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Compensation

$114,000 - $213,400/year

United States-California-Vandenberg AFB
On-site
Posted April 1, 2026

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be 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.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Principal/Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer. This position will be located in Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA and will support the Sentinel (GBSD) program. This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package.

What You’ll Get To Do:

  • Support Mission Assurance (MA) functions to ensure mission success
  • Perform technical reviews of all Sentinel drawings, SOW’s, and Requirements documents as required.
  • Perform or assure quality, risk management, safety, reliability and maintainability of Sentinel tasking.
  • Provide MA leadership and oversight to critical program reviews including design reviews, test readiness reviews, certifications and sell offs.
  • Identify MA and Quality resource requirements to ensure mission success.
  • Assist the SEIT Segment lead with all Sentinel Mission Assurance /Program Management requirements.
  • Develop, implement and maintain the Sentinel Program Quality Plan.
  • Lead/facilitate segment level FRBs and MRBs ensuring identification of root cause and proper implementation of corrective actions and reach back and reach across.
  • Lead preparation and execution of Program Preventive and Corrective Action Board (PCAB). Develop and maintain Segment level Program Metrics.
  • Support preparation of Program Management Review packages.
  • Support Supplier Mission Assurance with technical expertise and oversight of suppliers
  • Provide guidance and expertise to supporting professional development of MA & QA engineers.
  • Performance management

Basic Qualifications:

  • Principal Mission Assurance Engineer (T03):  Bachelor's degree and 5 years experience OR a Master's Degree and 3 years experience OR a PhD and 1 year experience.
  • Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer (T04):  Bachelor's degree and 8 years experience OR a Master's Degree and 6 years experience OR a PhD and 4 years experience.

Both Levels:

  • Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with an ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business need.
  •  Experience with Mission Assurance Engineering or Quality Assurance Engineering practices.
  • Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (AS9100/ISO 9001/Military Quality Assurance).
  • Experience in process monitoring, data collection, analysis, and metrics reporting for overall program and segments.
  • Experience in Aerospace/Missile Systems/Sub-Systems design, development, test, or sustainment.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with flight/ground test campaigns and/or Integration and Test of mechanical/electrical systems.
  • Experience with Root Cause Corrective Actions (RCCA), Failure Review Boards (FRBs), Problem Review Boards (PRBs), and Material Review Boards (MRB) processing non conformances and discrepancy reporting.
  • Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), with previous Preliminary Review Authority.
  • Familiarity with Range Requirements (AFMAN 91-710), RCC (Range Commanders Council), (Range Safety User Requirements)
  • Launch vehicle production and launch operations (Vehicle handling, Control room Operations, and Inspections)
  • Experience with Program Corrective Action Board (PCAB) and driving process improvements
  • Experience with program PCAB and driving process improvements
  • Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
  • An active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance.

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

Secondary 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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.