RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
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.
Position Summary
The Quality Inspector supports the SBIRS SMGS Post‑IOC LRU program by performing inspection, verification, and documentation of hardware and configuration items associated with the SMGS Mobile Ground Station Terminal (SMGT) Shelter and Parabolic Dish Subsystem (PDSS). This role ensures compliance with applicable program, customer, and industry requirements and Northrop Grumman Mission Assurance standards.
The Quality Inspector will work closely with Systems Engineering & Integration (SEIT), Integration & Verification (I&V), Mission Assurance, Configuration & Data Management (CDM), hardware engineering, and subcontractor teams to ensure that delivered products meet the required design, manufacturing, and verification expectations for a ground system of high mission importance.
Key Responsibilities
Inspection & Verification
- Perform incoming, in‑process, and final inspections on SMGS hardware and associated configuration items (CI), including shelter assemblies, PDSS antenna components, racks, cabling, power/HEMP/CBRN‑related hardware, and integration hardware.
- Verify workmanship, physical configuration, and documentation against approved drawings, specifications, End Item Data Packages (EIDP), and Configuration Item Lists in accordance with applicable Program, Customer, and industry requirements and quality plans (e.g., Hardware Installation Plans, Quality Assurance Plans).
- Conduct inspections and verification activities using approved methods (Inspection, Test, Demonstration, Similarity) consistent with program verification planning.
- Support test readiness by validating that inspection‑related entrance/exit criteria are met prior to test readiness reviews, segment‑level, and system‑level testing.
Documentation, Data & Analysis
- Record all inspection results, non‑conformances, and deviations in appropriate systems and databases; develop and maintain inspection logs, spreadsheets, and basic Pareto analyses to identify recurring issues and trends.
- Verify that waivers and deviations are properly documented and under configuration control per program processes.
- Ensure inspection records and supporting evidence are traceable to requirements and configuration baselines, enabling accurate sell‑off and support to Requirements Verification Reports (RVRs).
Configuration & Change Control Support
- Confirm that inspected hardware and documentation conform to the current technical baseline, including specification tree, product structure, and CI lists approved by the CCB.
- Support Systems Engineering, hardware engineering, and CDM in identifying configuration discrepancies, participating in ERB/CCB preparation as needed, and ensuring inspection‑related impacts are clearly communicated.
Mission Assurance, Audit & Process Compliance
- Collaborate closely with the program Mission Assurance lead to support Material Review Boards (MRB), Failure Review Boards (FRB), Preventive/Corrective Action Boards (PCAB), and other quality/mission assurance activities.
- Participate in internal and external audits (e.g., AS9100 or equivalent program audits) by providing objective evidence of inspection, records, and process adherence.
- Support development and auditing of local work instructions, procedures, and inspection checklists to align with program plans and applicable standards.
Subcontractor Oversight Support
- Review subcontractor‑provided hardware and documentation (including quality records and CM artifacts) to ensure compliance with NG quality and CM requirements.
- Participate in supplier FRBs, risk boards, ERBs, and readiness reviews as requested by Mission Assurance and SMT, providing inspection‑based observations and recommendations.
Training & Knowledge Sharing
- Provide on‑the‑job training and coaching to inspectors and technicians on inspection criteria, quality specifications, and correct use of inspection documentation and tools.
- Support the development and delivery of inspection‑related training materials and presentations for the I&V, hardware engineering, and operations teams
Work Environment & Expectations
- On‑site role in Boulder, CO, with close collaboration across IPTs (Systems Engineering, Ground IPT, Shelter IPT, PDSS IPT, I&V, Mission Assurance, CDM, hardware engineering, GSC/SMT).
- Supports a structured, highly configuration‑controlled environment with frequent participation in reviews and boards (ERB, CCB, FRB, ROMB, PMR, AWG, RVWG, etc.).
- Must be able to balance schedule needs, quality rigor, and program risk posture appropriate for a ground system with significant mission and customer importance.
Basic Qualifications
- High School diploma or equivalent and a minimum of 4 years of relevant inspection, quality assurance, or manufacturing experience; OR Associate’s degree and at least 2 years of related experience.
- U.S. citizen with ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances and comply with export control requirements.
- Experience performing hardware inspection against engineering drawings, specifications, and technical data packages in a regulated environment (defense, aerospace, electronics manufacturing, or similar).
- Demonstrated experience creating and using work instructions, procedures, checklists, and inspection plans to verify product quality.
- Experience with dimensional inspection and visual inspection techniques for assembled electro‑mechanical products (e.g., boards, cables, modules, or similar assemblies).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and ability to create and maintain inspection records, spreadsheets, and basic quality reports.
- Ability to train or mentor other personnel on quality specifications, inspection methods, and work instructions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in electronics manufacturing quality (e.g., PCB/PCBA, cables/harnesses, electronic assembly and test) including solder and assembly inspection.
- Experience developing, auditing, or working to quality management systems and standards such as AS9100.
- Familiarity with IPC standards and practical application of workmanship criteria in inspection (e.g., IPC‑A‑600, IPC‑A‑610, IPC/WHMA‑A‑620, IPC‑7711/7721, J‑STD‑001), or equivalent electronics workmanship standards.
- Experience creating and maintaining quality‑related databases, spreadsheets, or Pareto charts to support continuous improvement.
- Experience working with Mission Assurance, SEIT, hardware engineering, I&V, or systems engineering organizations on verification, sell‑off, or technical milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PSR).
- Prior experience with NG or customer tools/processes such as DOORS, JIRA/ClearQuest, Teamcenter/PDMS, Windchill/Enovia, ISE, and CM/DM workflows.
- Knowledge of NG Principles and Operating Practices (PrOP) and application of Mission Assurance and quality standards.
Primary Level Salary Range: $61,100.00 - $101,800.00
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.