Flight Inspector 3

About the role

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Flight Inspector – Level 3 to join the team in Dulles, VA. This position is 100 % onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work. Flight Inspection is the final check before purchased flight hardware reaches the production floor. The Level 3 inspector independently accepts material, determines inspection methods when no plan exists, and trains the inspectors who follow.

Relocation assistance: No relocation assistance available.

Clearance required for start: No clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and accept purchased flight hardware against purchase order, drawing, and specification (including EEE components, printed wiring boards, RF cable assemblies, mechanical parts, COTS items, and government‑ and contractor‑furnished equipment).
• Read engineering drawings and determine inspection method, tools, and acceptance criteria for new or unfamiliar part types.
• Review supplier documentation (certificate of conformance, test data, lot and date code traceability) for completeness and accuracy before acceptance.
• Perform dimensional and visual inspection using calibrated measuring equipment, including inspection under magnification.
• Write nonconformance reports with clear, factual defect descriptions; hold and segregate nonconforming material.
• Support Material Review Board documentation.
• Complete inspection records in the quality system of record (TIPQA) and verify inspection routing in the ERP system (Costpoint) to ensure auditability.
• Train, coach, and check the work of Level 1 and Level 2 inspectors; support their qualification sign‑offs.
• Resolve most discrepancies directly with Procurement, Supplier Quality, Engineering, and Production; escalate complex or precedent‑setting questions.
• Support root cause and corrective action when an escape or repeat intake problem is found.
• Follow ESD, FOD, and handling controls for flight hardware.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent and 4 years additional education and/or related experience.
• Experience inspecting aerospace, defense, or space hardware under AS9100 or an equivalent quality management system.
• Experience accepting purchased material against purchase order, drawing, and specification requirements.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and performing dimensional inspection with precision measuring tools (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, pin and thread gauges).
• Experience writing nonconformance reports.
• Experience reviewing supplier certifications and traceability records against supplier quality requirements flowed down on a purchase order.

Preferred Qualifications

• Receiving or incoming inspection experience on space flight hardware.
• GD&T (ASME Y14.5) training or applied experience.
• IPC‑A‑600 Certified IPC Specialist for printed wiring board acceptance.
• Experience training or qualifying other inspectors.
• Experience with an electronic inspection system of record and an ERP receiving module (TIPQA, Deltek Costpoint, SAP, or equivalent).
• Counterfeit parts detection and avoidance training.
• Experience supporting Material Review Board activity under government oversight.
• ASQ Certified Quality Inspector.
• ESD control training (ANSI/ESD S20.20).

Schedule

9/80 schedule with every other Friday off. 100 % onsite; telecommute not available.

Pay

Primary Level Salary Range: $72,600 – $121,000 per year. Base salary is determined by scope, responsibilities, candidate experience, education, skills, and market conditions. Eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and, for senior positions, long‑term incentives.

Benefits

Northrop Grumman offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package, including health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plans, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off (vacation and personal business). Additional benefits and detailed information are available on the company’s Total Rewards site.