Northrop Grumman Mission Enabling Products (MEP) Business Unit designs, manufactures and operates small and medium-class spacecraft for communications, imaging, scientific, exploration and national security space applications. MEP is the leading supplier of space components that power and enable satellites of all classes, provides technical engineering services to government agencies and laboratories, and is developing exciting new satellite servicing and advanced space flight technologies.
Our Propulsion team in Commerce, CA is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer Level 2 or 3 to join our 1st shift team.
The Propulsion team within the Mission Enabling Products Business Unit is the leading supplier of pressure vessels and tank hardware to the aerospace industry. You will work on assigned programs on non-recurring work as well as provide technical support on the shop floor.
Responsibilities:
- Create and improve manufacturing processes to meet challenging hardware requirements
- Review engineering designs and drawings for accuracy and manufacturability
- Manage Manufacturing Bill of Materials through the use of MRP
- Work alongside the manufacturing teams to ensure that overall quality, delivery, and cost objectives are achieved
- Communicate manufacturing plans and processes to internal and external customers through Manufacturing Readiness Reviews
- Provide technical guidance and liaison to operations, assist supervisors on new techniques, and determination of causes of rejected parts
- Create manufacturing plans and detailed work instructions
- Provide redlines and/or updating of Manufacturing Work Instructions on the shop floor
- Specify all necessary special processes, equipment, and fixtures required for manufacturing on assigned programs
- Continuously work to improve manufacturing methods, efficiency and product quality
- Participate in continuous improvement projects
- Assist in tool design when required to help support operations by developing tooling concepts and using of CAD software to model and release of tool drawings
- Monitor quality discrepancies, identify trends, investigate problems, and implement corrective actions
- Evaluate manufacturing processes by applying knowledge of product design, fabrication, assembly, tooling, and materials; conferring with equipment vendors; soliciting observations from operators
Basic Qualifications for a Manufacturing Engineer Level 2:
- 2 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree; 0 years of relevant experience with a Masters' degree; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree
- Demonstrated experience applying and implementing lean methodologies in manufacturing/production environments including root-cause and Ishikawa analysis
- Practical application of AS9100, ISO 9001-2008, AS9145 or similar quality systems
- Proficiency with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software
- Proficient in reading engineering drawings and interpretation of GD&T
- Working knowledge of machining processes; lathe, milling, CNC programming
- Working knowledge of welding and heat treating processes
Basic Qualifications for a Manufacturing Engineer Level 3:
- 5 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree; 0 years of relevant experience with a Masters' degree; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree
- Demonstrated experience applying and implementing lean methodologies in manufacturing/production environments including root-cause and Ishikawa analysis
- Practical application of AS9100, ISO 9001-2008, AS9145 or similar quality systems
- Proficiency with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software
- Proficient in reading engineering drawings and interpretation of GD&T
- Working knowledge of machining processes; lathe, milling, CNC programming
- Working knowledge of welding and heat treating processes
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with Siemens NX
- Proficiency with MS Access
- Experience in any of the following:
- Aerospace manufacturing environment
- Heat treating of titanium alloys
- Machining of titanium alloys
- Welding of Titanium
- Working knowledge of composite materials and processes
- Understanding of 5S and Lean Manufacturing experience
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 2 years of relevant experience for Level 2, or 5 years of relevant experience for Level 3
- Master's degree may qualify with 0 years of relevant experience
- Additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
- Experience applying lean methodologies in manufacturing or production environments
- Experience with root-cause and Ishikawa analysis
- Practical application of AS9100, ISO 9001-2008, AS9145, or similar quality systems
- Proficiency with computer-aided design software
- Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret GD&T
- Working knowledge of machining processes, including lathe, milling, and CNC programming
- Working knowledge of welding and heat treating processes
- Experience with Siemens NX
- Proficiency with MS Access
- Experience in aerospace manufacturing
- Experience heat treating, machining, or welding titanium alloys
- Working knowledge of composite materials and processes
- Understanding of 5S and lean manufacturing
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.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
-
Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
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.






