Manufacturing Engineer/Principal Manufacturing Engineer (with Industrial Engineering experience)
At the heart of who we are, Northrop Grumman is a leading American manufacturing company delivering advanced technologies in support of national security. Our teams work collaboratively to ensure manufacturing excellence, production readiness, and continuous improvement across programs.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Manufacturing Engineer or Principal Manufacturing Engineer to support production and manufacturing operations based in Charlottesville, VA.
What You'll Get To Do:
The Manufacturing Engineer will report directly to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager and will support manufacturing programs at the site.
Primary Responsibilities:
Designs manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, and material handling for wire harness work cell.
Designs sequence of operations and specifies procedures for tools, equipment and other functions affecting product performance.
Adapts machine or equipment design to factory and production conditions. Incorporate inspection and test requirements into the production plan.
Inspects performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify their efficiency. Investigates, initiates and executes solutions to ensure product quality.
Develop and use simulation models to optimize plant configurations/layouts, process flows, and product routing, ensuring efficient system flow between cells.
Analyzes lead times, queue times, work-in-process, cycle times, and throughput to meet customer demand.
Develops manufacturing processes applicable to statistical process control.
Provides guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques. Ensures processes and procedures are compliant with regulations.
Interfaces directly with assemblers, cell supervisors and others in Operations. Must be knowledgeable in and capable of assessing manufacturing engineering processes and procedures.
Drives affordability through monitoring of budget (time) and spend.
Travels to suppliers as required, to achieve positive outcomes.
Fosters a collaborative culture sustaining momentum around engagement, problem solving, and continuous improvement.
Serves as a strong voice for Manufacturing Engineering and a role model for NG Values.
This position may be filled at a level 2 Manufacturing Engineer or level 3 Principal Manufacturing Engineer based on the qualifications below.
#MPR
Basic Qualifications for the Manufacturing Engineer:
Bachelor's Degree or higher in a STEM discipline with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering or production OR a Master’s Degree with a minimum of 0 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering or production.
Experience with wire harnesses, connectors, assembling, crimping tools, hand tools and troubleshooting
Experience reading and interpreting wiring schematics
CAD experience
Experience supporting, teaching and assisting shop floor assemblers and operators
Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings and GD&T, blueprints and specifications
Experience analyzing existing production lines and workflows to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and waste
Experience with design and improvement of facility layouts and workstations using CAD to maximize spatial efficiency
Experience conducting time and motion studies to establish accurate standard work definitions and labor standards
Design and improve facility layouts, workstations, and material handling systems using AutoCAD or similar software to maximize spatial efficiency
Experience estimating all aspects of build, set up and run times to accurately plan for cost and production times
Experience with LEAN manufacturing principles
Experience with Corrective Action Requests (CAR) and ability to address and resolve CARs
Onsite work at Charlottesville plant with start time of 6:00AM to align with operator schedules
Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance
US Citizenship is required.
Basic Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
Bachelor's Degree or higher in a STEM discipline with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering or production OR a Master’s Degree with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering or production.
Experience with wire harnesses, connectors, assembling, crimping tools, hand tools and troubleshooting
Experience reading and interpreting wiring schematics
CAD experience
Experience supporting, teaching and assisting shop floor assemblers and operators
Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings and GD&T specifications, blueprints and specifications
Experience analyzing existing production lines and workflows to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and waste
Experience with design and improvement of facility layouts and workstations using CAD to maximize spatial efficiency
Experience conducting time and motion studies to establish accurate standard work definitions and labor standards
Experience estimating all aspects of build, set up and run times to accurately plan for cost and production times
Experience with LEAN manufacturing principles
Experience with Corrective Action Requests (CAR) and ability to address and resolve CARs
Onsite work at Charlottesville plant with start time of 6:00AM to align with operator schedules
Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance.
US Citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications for Both Levels:
Experience with ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management System certification process
IPC 610/620 certification
Experience with subassembly and final assembly build structure
Experience with Model Based Engineering
Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical, electrical or industrial engineering; or Master’s Degree in an engineering field
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt
Experience facilitating Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) activities
Experience auditing and improving manufacturing processes
Defense industry experience
Experience in a manufacturing role
SAP Business System experience
Software: MPLM, NX and AutoCAD experience
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!
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 or higher in STEM, with at least 2 years of relevant experience for Manufacturing Engineer level, or a master’s degree with 0 years of relevant experience
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in STEM, with at least 5 years of relevant experience for Principal Manufacturing Engineer level, or a master’s degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience
- Experience with wire harnesses, connectors, assembly, crimping tools, hand tools, and troubleshooting
- Experience reading and interpreting wiring schematics
- CAD experience
- Experience supporting, teaching, and assisting shop-floor assemblers and operators
- Experience reading technical drawings, GD&T specifications, blueprints, and engineering specifications
- Experience analyzing production lines and workflows for bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and waste
- Experience designing and improving facility layouts, workstations, and material handling systems using CAD or AutoCAD
- Experience conducting time and motion studies and establishing standard work and labor standards
- Experience estimating build, setup, and run times for cost and production planning
- Experience with Lean manufacturing principles
- Experience with Corrective Action Requests and resolving corrective actions
- Ability to work onsite at the Charlottesville plant with a 6:00 AM start time
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Experience with ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality management system certification processes
- IPC 610/620 certification
- Experience with subassembly and final assembly build structures
- Experience with Model Based Engineering
- Degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt
- Experience facilitating root cause corrective action and FMEA activities
- Experience auditing and improving manufacturing processes
- Defense industry experience
- Manufacturing experience
- SAP Business System experience
- Experience with MPLM, NX, and AutoCAD
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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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.
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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.
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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.






