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Principal Quality Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're moving from a centralized manual QA team to a model where delivery teams own quality end-to-end, supported by embedded Quality Engineers. We need a Principal-level technical leader to drive ...

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WI · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

The Senior Principal Quality Engineer serves as a senior technical leader responsible for advancing quality excellence across the organization. This role provides expert guidance on aerospace quality ...

The Principal Quality Engineer IC4 is responsible for defining and leading scalable, risk-based quality strategies for complex systems; overseeing test coverage, environments, automation, defect ...

The Principal Quality Engineer IC4 is responsible for defining and leading scalable, risk-based quality strategies for complex systems; overseeing test coverage, environments, automation, defect ...

... surfacing quality risks, and collaborating with partner teams to drive testalignment. - Workswith product management and developers to align on areas for testing. - Influencesthe design and ...

Job Duties and Responsibilities Principal Quality Engineer II sought by Hughes Network System LLC. in Germantown, MD Provide strong technical leadership in delivering the software quality for OSS/BSS ...

Quality Engineer - Aerospace Manufacturing If you would love to be part of a company that is poised for substantial growth with opportunities for advancement then CPP and its subsidiaries may be the ...

Quality Engineer - Aerospace Manufacturing If you would love to be part of a company that is poised for substantial growth with opportunities for advancement then CPP and its subsidiaries may be the ...

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Principal Quality Engineer information

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$64.5K

$125.5K

$171K

How much do principal quality engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal quality engineer in the United States is $125,478.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal quality engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Quality Engineer, you need deep expertise in quality assurance, process improvement, and engineering principles, usually backed by a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree and extensive industry experience. Familiarity with quality management systems such as ISO 9001, Six Sigma, root cause analysis tools, and proficiency in statistical analysis software are typically required, along with certifications like ASQ CQE or Lean Six Sigma. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and clear communication skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for driving continuous improvement, ensuring product reliability, and leading cross-functional teams towards quality objectives.

What does a principal quality engineer do?

A principal quality engineer leads quality assurance efforts within an organization, developing and implementing testing strategies, ensuring product compliance with standards, and mentoring QA teams. They often utilize tools like test automation software and require strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills to improve product quality and process efficiency.

What is a principal quality engineer?

A Principal Quality Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing quality assurance and quality control processes within an organization. They develop and implement quality standards, conduct audits, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product and process compliance. Their role often includes mentoring junior engineers, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring products meet regulatory and customer requirements.

What are the day-to-day responsibilities of a principal quality engineer?

As a Principal Quality Engineer, your daily responsibilities often include leading quality improvement initiatives, analyzing production or service processes, and conducting root cause investigations to address quality issues. You’ll collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to develop and implement quality standards, review product designs, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. The role may also involve mentoring junior quality engineers, facilitating audits, and compiling reports for senior management. This dynamic position requires a balance of hands-on problem-solving and strategic oversight to drive excellence throughout the organization.

More about Principal Quality Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Quality Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Quality Engineer job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Principal Quality Engineer jobs? The top employers for Principal Quality Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Principal Quality Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Quality Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Principal Quality Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,478 per year, or $60.3 per hour.

Quality Engineer /Principal Quality Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Baltimore, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 361 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

87th of 537 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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's Space Sector is seeking a Quality Engineer /Principal Quality Engineer - Level 2 or Level 3 to join our team in Baltimore, MD.

In this role you will support Safety & Mission Assurance activities during integration, test, and launch operations. This role helps ensure flight hardware integrity, payload readiness, full pedigree traceability, and compliance with customers and regulatory requirements. The position requires technical judgement, real-time risk management, and direct engagement with test and launch operations to ensure mission success. Responsible for performing or assuring quality, drawing interpretations, data trending analysis, and maintainability of program requirements. This position is in Baltimore, MD and reports to the Eastern Region Senior Manager, Integration, Test & Launch Quality.

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

In this job, you will:

QE Related Tasks 50%

  • Support process control, in-process and final inspections, audits, and quality reviews.
  • Analyze non-conformances and lead root cause investigations, documenting preventive and corrective actions.
  • Collaborate closely with engineers, manufacturing teams, and suppliers to resolve quality issues and improve processes.
  • Prepare and maintain quality records, reports, and metrics in accordance with industry standards.
  • Interpret and apply AS9100/ISO 9001 standards and Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
  • Utilize statistical process controls and quality tools to ensure consistent product quality.
  • Collaborate with engineering/cross-functional teams including manufacturing functions to ensure quality standards are in place
  • Interpretation of drawings and MIL-STDs
  • Dispositioning and handling of HW defects and non-conformances
  • Participate in the resolution of any quality requirements non-conformance, Standard Repairs or exceptions (MRB, DTO, etc.)
  • Lead and implement Continuous Improvements to reduce defect count on manufacturing floor
  • Implement and enforce adherence to PrOp, CADSTAR drawings, Work Instructions to fit program quality objectives
  • Support implementation methods and procedures for inspecting, testing and evaluating the precision and accuracy of products and production equipment

50% - Data mining/Quality Metrics

  • Maintain Key Performance Metrics ( CoPQ, test data, etc.) and Charts used to identify trends and track performance process and quality performance
  • Run weekly/monthly data/adhoc data requests
  • Must have PPT/Presentation Skills
  • Monitor and verify quality in accordance with statistical process, and/or other control procedures.
  • Audit quality systems for deficiency identification and correction
  • Ensure that corrective measures meet acceptable reliability standards, and that documentation is compliant with requirements. Work from engineering drawings, diagrams, customer specifications, inspection instructions, and checklists to ensure items meet required specifications and quality standards
  • May specialize in the areas of data analytics, process control, incoming material, production control, product evaluation and reliability, inventory control and/or research and development as they apply to product or process quality
  • Other duties as assigned

If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!

This position can be filled at either a Level 2 or Level 3.

Basic Qualifications for Level 2:

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field with a minimum of 2 years of engineering experience in Quality Assurance, which can include investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering field of work, performing technical job functions; OR a minimum of 0 year of engineering experience in Quality Assurance, which can include investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering field of work performing technical job functions with a Masters Degree in a STEM
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance
  • Experience with Data Analytics and Statistical Analysis methods and techniques
  • US Citizenship required

Basic Qualifications for Level 3:

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field with a minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in Quality Assurance, which can include investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering field of work, performing technical job functions; OR a minimum of 3 year of engineering experience in Quality Assurance, which can include investigating failures and identifying root causes or in Manufacturing, Process, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering field of work performing technical job functions with a Masters Degree in a STEM
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance
  • Experience with Data Analytics and Statistical Analysis methods and techniques
  • US Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with ISO9001 or AS9100 Quality Management System and AS9102 First Article Inspections (FAI)
  • Experience in Quality Analysis tools, such as Ishikawa, FMEA, DOE, 8D, 5 Why
  • Green/Black Belt Certified in Lean Six-sigma
  • Certified in Lean and Six-Sigma methodologies
  • Certified auditor
  • PPAP/APQP Experience
  • TS/SCI
  • SAP Experience
  • Experience using Microsoft Excel, Minitab or equivalent tools for statistical analysis
  • Experience in modern skillsets such as Artificial Intelligence, SQL, Power BI to aid in data analysis and data visualization

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

Primary Level Salary Range: $79,600.00 - $119,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00The 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.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939