Principal​/Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer

Position Overview

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Principal/Sr. Principal Mission Assurance Engineer at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA to support the Sentinel (GBSD) program. Relocation assistance may be available.

• Support Mission Assurance functions to ensure mission success.
• Perform technical reviews of all Sentinel drawings, SOWs, 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 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.
• Basic performance management.

• 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.
• Senior 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.

• 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.
• Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance.

Primary level salary range: $ – $. Secondary level salary range: $ – $. These ranges represent general guidelines; the actual offer will be based on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills and market conditions.

Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and annual bonuses designed to reward individual contributions. Employees in vice‑president or director positions may be eligible for long‑term incentives. 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 personal business.

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

U.S. citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.