Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security, offering a broad portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and superior situational awareness to protect the U.S. and its global allies.
We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager 1 to join our team in Rolling Meadows, IL. This is a full-time, on-site position.
Our manufacturing team thrives in an environment of daily unique challenges and close proximity to products. Partnering with production, successful process / test / industrial engineers lead troubleshooting and ensure excellence in hardware and software. Engineers who do well in this setting enjoy seeing their work perform in a test or a product, collaborate and communicate well across functions, and are innovative problem solvers. Best suited to this role are those who enjoy learning and bring a sense of urgency and energy to their tasks.
In this role, you will oversee and manage the Preventative Maintenance and the Test Equipment Custodian team. Preventative Maintenance team oversees routine inspection, servicing, and repair schedules for an organization's equipment, machinery, and facilities to prevent unexpected breakdowns and costly downtime. The Test Equipment Custodian team is responsible for tracking and managing all equipment requiring calibration, including torque tools, electronic test equipment, and production support equipment.
What you will get to do:
- Manage day-to-day operations of the Material Evaluation Lab and the test/measurement equipment tracking team.
- Prioritize, assign, and track requests; ensure timely execution with clear, data-driven reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
- Set work priorities based on program and business needs, balancing near-term deliverables with long-term capability development.
- Manage and resolve multiple simultaneous technical and programmatic challenges in a fast-paced environment.
- Own earned value management responsibilities for assigned scope, including cost/schedule management, variance analysis, and development of recovery plans as needed.
- Establish, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for lab throughput and measurement/test equipment.
- Drive continuous improvement in lab operations, including development of standard work, templates, and best practices.
- Develop and manage capital equipment roadmaps, operating budgets, and resource plans to support current programs and future growth.
- Lead, coach, and mentor a diverse team of engineers and technicians; provide regular feedback, quarterly connections, performance reviews, and development planning.
- Communicate technical and program status clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; prepare and deliver high-quality presentations to executive leadership, peers, customers, and all levels of the organization.
- Collaborate closely with manufacturing, quality, design engineering, and program teams to align priorities, resolve issues, and meet cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
The Ideal Candidate Will Possess:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with technicians, support personnel, functional management, and related groups.
- Strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with all levels of leadership, shop floor employees, and support functions.
Basic Qualifications for the Manufacturing Engineering Manager 1:
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in production assembly/fabrication, including composites, metallics, coatings application, and/or production manufacturing.
- Experience formulating, communicating, and executing complex project plans and initiatives.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Clearance.
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Aerospace or defense product experience.
- Experience with a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and/or ERP system.
- Minimum of 2 years of prior management/leadership experience in a related field.
- LEAN/Continuous Improvement experience and root-cause problem-solving skills.
- Strong business and financial acumen, including capital and talent budgeting, estimate-at-completion (EAC), and understanding of Operations Review processes.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Understanding of AS9100/ISO 9001.
What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
#MPR
Primary Level Salary Range: $105,000.00 - $157,600.00The 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
- At least 5 years of engineering experience in production assembly or fabrication, including composites, metallics, coatings application, or production manufacturing
- Experience formulating, communicating, and executing complex project plans and initiatives
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Aerospace or defense product experience
- Experience with a Manufacturing Execution System or ERP system
- At least 2 years of prior management or leadership experience in a related field
- Lean or continuous improvement experience and root-cause problem-solving skills
- Business and financial acumen, including capital and talent budgeting, estimate-at-completion, and Operations Review processes
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Understanding of AS9100 or ISO 9001
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.







