Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Manager Manufacturing Engineering 3 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our strike organization. This leadership role is located in Palmdale, CA.
The Manager Manufacturing Engineer 3 will be leading multi-disciplined teams supporting multiple projects to ensure processes and procedures are maintained and in compliance, as well as meeting quality, cost, and schedule targets to ensure program performance and customer satisfaction. Automation Engineering Managers for Aeronautics Systems are expected to provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex and difficult problems. The ideal candidate will be able to work individually as well as lead a team of diverse individuals who work tactically towards future strategy and exhibit solid communication skills, which will include the following responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities:
- Manager will lead and provide oversight and guidance to management team to ensure program objectives specific to quality, cost, schedule, and customer satisfaction targets are met.
- Manager will be responsible for domestic and international supplier management of Automation Major sub suppliers.
- Managing relationships with external suppliers ensures they meet Cost, schedule, technical and quality requirements.
- Determine and develop staffing profiles and schedules to meet program requirements
- Assisting GSC to negotiate contracts and agreements to secure favorable terms and conditions.
- Manager will partner with cross-functional teams to identify automation opportunities and eliminate bottlenecks and improve throughput
- Manager will ensure automation solutions are integrated seamlessly into existing manufacturing process.
- Monitoring the progress of Automation projects and addressing any issues that may impact cost schedule or quality.
- The manager will be responsible for the development of long-range plans and strategies to provide the most affordable Automation projects and services in the industry.
- Manager will be responsible for risk management across the Various projects or Statement of Work. Ability to recognize and capture program changes via EVMS system, Tool Change Control Board (TCCB) and program RIO (Risk and Opportunity) management system.
- Manager will have Cost Account Manager (CAM) responsibility to program automation activities and will ensure compliance to EVMS for applicable direct & indirect budgets.
- Identify and develop staffing/skills requirements, forecasts, and training plans. Manager will be responsible for sourcing key technical talent to ensure success of the program/functional goals.
- Responsible for formulating capital asset plans and strategies to build a sustainable Automation Engineering, Integration and Offload team(s).
- Partnering with site leadership to help develop executive planning and strategic vision that help achieve sector business goals & objectives.
- Responsible to collaborate with other Aeronautics Systems Tooling /Automation management to develop consistent process and procedures to help drive affordability and ensure the deployment of best practices across the site/sector.
- Manager will be working in a highly dynamic fast-paced environment.
- Manager will be responsible for fostering a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence and innovations within internal teams and influencing external suppliers
- Manager will Lead various internal company and external customer audits to assure process compliance and requirements satisfaction
This position will offer 1st shift, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.
Our Leaders at Northrop Grumman live our values daily and encourage our teams to do the same. We do the right thing: upholding the highest ethical standards and facilitating a safe and respectful environment that attracts, retains, and inspires a diverse and engaged team. We do what we promise: holding yourself and others accountable to meet predictable and balanced results. We commit to shared success: operating as OneNG and removing barriers for our teams. Finally, We pioneer: setting a vision that shapes the future and inspires others
Basic Qualifications:
- Must have a Bachelor’s Degree (STEM) AND 7 years of engineering experience in production assembly/fabrication including composites, metallic, coatings application, and/or production manufacturing OR Master's Degree (STEM) AND 5 years of engineering experience in production assembly/fabrication including composites, metallic, coatings application, and/or production manufacturing
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) Degree required
- Must have 3 years of prior management/leadership experience in related field
- Must have an active DoD Secret security clearance (US Citizenship required) as well as the ability to obtain and maintain Program Special Access
- Strong organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills to communicate effectively at all levels of management and to individual contributors
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, PowerPoint, Word
Preferred Qualifications:
- Supervisory and/or Management experience in managing teams, with an emphasis on automation systems, tooling, manufacturing, assembly lines, and implementing technology into a production environment.
- Understanding of Engineering, Automation, PLC Programing and Controls Systems, NC programing, Tooling, Production, Program Management and GSC Subcontracts processes
- Experience in composite manufacturing automation, automated drilling and fastening systems, robotic material handling, automated inspection technologies, tooling automation, assembly line automation, autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), digital work instructions and smart factory initiatives
- Experience in Project Management and execution of large scale, integrated projects across multiple functions and organizations.
- Experience in supplier management
- Demonstrated financial management skills including development and control of budgets, schedules, Estimate at completion (EAC) and the ability to recognize and capture program budgets
- Experienced in dynamic environments where there may be schedule changes, design changes and validation failures
- A proven track record of developing and implementing strategies for change
- Experience in data analytics and process monitoring
- Experience in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Must possess excellent leadership, oral and interpersonal communications skills.
- Siemens, NX, TeamCenter, SAP, NC Programing and Manufacturing Execution Systems
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree (STEM) AND 7 years of engineering experience in production assembly/fabrication (composites, metallics, coatings) OR Master's Degree (STEM) AND 5 years of such experience
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) degree required
- Minimum 3 years prior management/leadership experience in related field
- Active DoD Secret security clearance (US Citizenship required) and ability to obtain and maintain Program Special Access
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, PowerPoint, Word
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, and presentation skills to communicate at all levels
- Willingness/ability to travel up to 25% of the time
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.







