Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmations.
Designs manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, machining and material handling. Designs arrangement of machines within plant facilities to ensure most efficient and productive layout. Designs sequence of operations and specifies procedures for the fabrication of tools and equipment and other functions that affect product performance. Adapts machine or equipment design to factory and production conditions. May incorporate inspection and test requirements into the production plan. Inspects performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify their efficiency, and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure product quality. Develops manufacturing processes that are applicable to statistical process control, and may develop those techniques. Provides guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques. Ensures processes and procedures are in compliance with regulations.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer or Principal Manufacturing Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals to support our production. This position is on-site in St Augustine, FL and cannot be performed remotely due to the nature of the role.
Manufacturing Engineers are the core integrators of the production line—they own the build by defining how the aircraft is assembled on the production floor. They interpret aircraft design requirements, develop manufacturable build plans, and author clear work instructions that guide technicians through each step. Manufacturing Engineers partner closely with cross-functional teams to establish build processes and tooling, while providing hands-on technical support to resolve build issues and nonconformances in real time. We provide innovative and practical technical solutions to complex problems, ensuring each aircraft is built as designed, delivered on schedule, and ready to meet mission needs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Review and interpret aircraft design requirements for manufacturability and translate them into clear, executable manufacturing work instructions.
- Partner with Design Engineering, Production, Tool Design Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Quality to define build processes, incorporate drawing changes, and establish tooling requirements for current and new production.
- Develop, release, and maintain Manufacturing Engineering documentation, including work instructions, visual aids, and Bills of Material.
- Identify and define manufacturing processes and specialty tooling to improve production efficiency, product quality, and operator ergonomics.
- Provide technical liaison support to production personnel, troubleshooting build issues and resolving tooling or process-related problems.
- Investigate nonconformances and develop compliant repair procedures to support rework dispositions.
- Develop and deliver process training to production and support personnel to ensure consistent execution of manufacturing methods.
- Support site safety initiatives related to manufacturing processes, tooling, and work instructions.
- Communicate effectively with multiple levels of leadership, customers, and suppliers.
This position may be filled as an Manufacturing Engineer Level 2 or as a Principal Manufacturing Engineer Level 3
Basic Qualifications:
Manufacturing Engineer Level 2:
- Bachelors Degree and 1 years of work experience in a manufacturing environment OR Masters 0 years of experience
- Experience with Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Experience reading/interpreting electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, and/or schematics and symbols.
- Experience working hands-on in a production assembly environment.
- Ability to work any shift or extended work week as business need requires.
- Ability to work for extended periods of time at a workstation on a computer or similar device for up to 10 hours / duration of shift. Occasional extended periods of standing, bending, kneeling. Traverse unit/product and operate in manufacturing/production environment to include: tooling, stands, ladders, steps etc.
- Ability to wearing appropriate PPE, occasionally enter confined space.
- Ability to be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
- Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final adjudicated U.S. Government Secret clearance and any program (access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
Principal Manufacturing Engineer Level 3:
- Bachelors Degree and 4 years of work experience in an engineering manufacturing environment role; OR Masters in STEM field with 3 years of experience OR PhD with 0 years of experience
- Experience with Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Experience reading/interpreting electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, and/or schematics and symbols.
- Experience working hands-on in a production assembly environment.
- Ability to work any shift or extended work week as business need requires.
- Ability to work for extended periods of time at a workstation on a computer or similar device for up to 10 hours / duration of shift. Occasional extended periods of standing, bending, kneeling. Traverse unit/product and operate in manufacturing/production environment to include: tooling, stands, ladders, steps etc.
- Ability to wearing appropriate PPE, occasionally enter confined space.
- Ability to be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
- Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final adjudicated U.S. Government Secret clearance and any program (access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Company.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Active U.S. Government Clearance
- Active Special Program Access (PAR)
- Background in aircraft wire harness fabrication, cable installation, avionics, power distribution systems, and/or testing and troubleshooting of electrical system
- Strong electrical experience and manufacturing process knowledge.
- Engineering degree in Manufacturing, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or similar
- Knowledge of composite hand layup, fiber placement, bonding, and/or curing
- Knowledge of composite machining using CNCs and/or water jets
- Experience with a CPLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system
- Experience using NX or similar CAD software
- Experience using SAP and MES or similar
- Demonstrated understanding of root cause / corrective action processes and techniques
- Experience using RCCA tools such as Five Why, Pareto, fishbone, etc.
- Experience drafting, maintaining, and modifying work instructions and/or process specifications
#AS-FA3#Yellow#Blue
Primary Level Salary Range: $72,100.00 - $108,100.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $89,400.00 - $134,200.00The 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (or Master's/PhD per level-specific requirements) with 1-4 years manufacturing experience
- Experience working hands-on in a production assembly environment
- Experience reading and interpreting electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics and symbols
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Ability to work any shift or extended work week and perform physical tasks (standing, bending, lifting up to 15 pounds, wearing PPE, occasional confined space)
- Ability to obtain, transfer, and maintain final adjudicated U.S. Government Secret clearance (and meet citizenship requirements)
- Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, work instructions, and Bills of Material
- Troubleshoot production issues, investigate nonconformances, and develop repair/rework procedures
- Provide process training and support site safety initiatives
- Preferred: Active U.S. Government clearance or Special Program Access (PAR)
- Preferred: Background in aircraft wire harness fabrication, cable installation, avionics, power distribution, electrical testing/troubleshooting
- Preferred: Engineering degree in Manufacturing, Aerospace, Mechanical, or similar
- Preferred: Knowledge of composite layup, fiber placement, bonding, curing, and composite machining (CNC/water jet)
- Preferred: Experience with PLM/CPLM systems, NX or similar CAD, SAP and MES
- Preferred: Familiarity with root cause and corrective action (RCCA) methods and tools (Five Why, Pareto, fishbone)
- Preferred: Experience drafting, maintaining, and modifying work instructions and process specifications
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.







