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2026 Associate Pathways Quality Engineer/ Pathways Quality Engineer - Rolling Meadows IL - R10224064

Northrop Grumman Rolling Meadows, Illinois, United States

onsitefull-time

Salary: $66,200 - $119,400 / year

Posted Feb 28, 2026Apply by Mar 30, 2026

Role & seniority: Electrical/Mechanical/System Engineer focused on quality; pathway Pathways rotational program with three engineering rotations (Associate Quality Engineer or Quality Engineer level depending on degree).

Stack/tools: Data analytics and statistical methods; Microsoft Excel, MiniTAB, Tableau; SAP; Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt); RCCA techniques; blueprint reading; MIL-STDs; quality systems auditing.

Top 3 responsibilities

  • Perform Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and drive robust corrective actions with suppliers, manufacturing, and engineering.

  • Maintain and trend key performance metrics (SRR, FTTY/FTTIY, NDR, CoPQ, test data) and lead continuous improvement to reduce defects.

  • Audit quality systems, ensure documentation compliance, and disposition hardware defects/non-conformances; interpret drawings/ specifications.

Must-have skills

  • STEM degree (Bachelor’s for Associate, Master’s for Quality Engineer) and ability to obtain U.S. government clearance (citizenship requirement).

  • Experience with data analytics, statistical analysis, and RCCA techniques.

Nice-to-haves

  • GPA 3.0+, Lean Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt), certified auditor, SAP experience.

  • Location & work type: Rolling Meadows, IL; Pathways rotation within engineering; travel ~10%; relocation assistance may be available; U.S. citizenship required for government-clearance roles.

Full Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

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.

At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we’ll support yours of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field or an industry thought-leader. At Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.

Northrop Grumman is seeking Electrical/Mechanical/System Engineer. This position will be located at our Mission Systems Sector in Rolling Meadows, IL. This position will be in the Pathways rotational program where there will be three rotation opportunities within engineering.

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Multidomain Sensing, Targeting and Survivability Division, Electronic Warfare Targeting Business Unit

Introduction to Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), HQMS and Continuous Improvement activities. Maintain Key Performance Metrics (SRR, FTTTY, FTTIY, NDR, CoPQ, test data, etc.) and Charts used to identify trends and track performance process and quality performance. Basic blueprint reading Interpretation of drawings and MIL-STDs Dispositioning and handling of HW defects and non-conformances. Audit quality systems for deficiency identification and correction. Initiate Corrective Action Plans and work with suppliers, manufacturing, and engineering personnel to identify the root cause and ensure robust corrective actions are implemented. 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. Lead and implement Continuous Improvements to reduce defect count on manufacturing floor.

Basic Qualifications

Basic Qualifications for an Associate Quality Engineer

Be completing or has completed their Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution Be majoring in or having majored in a STEM field Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs Experience with Data Analytics and Statical Analysis methods and techniques.

Basic Qualifications For a Quality Engineer

Be completing or has completed their Master’s degree from an accredited institution Be majoring in or having majored in a STEM field Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs Experience with Data Analytics and Statical Analysis methods and techniques.

Preferred Qualifications For Both Levels

Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher Experience with Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) Techniques Experience using Microsoft Excel, Mini-Tab, Tableau or equivalent tools for statistical analysis Green/Black Belt Certified in Lean Six-sigma Certified auditor SAP Experience

Salary Range

Bachelors Level 1 - $66,200.00 to $99,200.00

Masters Level 2 - $79,600.00 to $119,400.00

campusjobs

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.

Root Cause Corrective ActionHQMSContinuous ImprovementKey Performance MetricsBlueprint ReadingDrawing InterpretationMIL-STDsDefect DispositioningQuality Systems AuditCorrective Action PlansReliability StandardsData AnalyticsStatistical AnalysisLean Six-sigmaSAPmulti-location

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