At Northrop Grumman Defense Systems we are seeking an experienced Product Engineer to support our Armament Systems Business Unit located in Mesa, AZ.
Northrop Grumman’s Armament Systems Division site in Mesa, Arizona produces automatic medium caliber gun systems. Northrop Grumman gun systems built for the U.S. and international militaries have been used in all major conflicts since World War II in a variety of applications to include small and large ground vehicles, helicopters, airplanes and naval ships.
Role Description:
This Manufacturing Engineering position is for an engineering role on medium caliber gun system programs within the Armament Systems Division. As part of the Systems Engineering group, the Manufacturing Liaison Engineer supports design, production, and supplier development activities.
Responsibilities
- The Manufacturing Liaison Engineering position carries the following set of primary responsibilities:
- Works with design, project, manufacturing and quality engineers through the product development process to ensure Design to Cost (DTC) and Design for Assembly/Manufacturing (DFA/DFM) targets are achieved
- Provide guidance to design engineering regarding design concepts and product specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques
- Understands and interprets engineering drawings and recommend design changes to increase product manufacturability and functionality
- Prepares cost estimates and written technical proposals for product improvement initiatives
- Reviews drawings , Engineering Change Orders, and work instructions for accuracy and completeness
- Participates and/or leads disposition of non-conforming production parts
- Acts as a technical interface to internal production personnel and to external suppliers
- Develops technical relationships with internal production personnel and with external suppliers
- Supports manufacturing trade studies and early supplier involvement
- Shares knowledge with other engineers
Minimum Qualifications
This position may be filled as a level 3 or level 4 Engineer based on the candidate’s education and/or years of experience.
Qualifications for Principal Product Engineer (Level 3)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related STEM field
- 5 years of relevant industry experience or a master’s degree with 3 years of industry experience
- Understanding of GD&T
- Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software, preferably NX
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Project, and Power Point.
- Strong oral and written communication skills with ability to focus on multiple projects and deliver status on risk areas and required actions
- Hands-on manufacturing experience in assembly and fabrication
- Familiarity with mechanical and electrical engineering processes and other specialty engineering activities within the product development process
- Demonstrated effectiveness in achieving results through understanding and management of internal processes and customer/supplier relationships
- U.S. Citizenship
- Position may require domestic and international travel, <25%
Qualifications for Sr Principal Product Engineer (Level 4)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related STEM field
- 8 years of relevant industry experience or a master’s degree with 6 years of industry experience
- Understanding of GD&T
- Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software, preferably NX
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Project, and Power Point.
- Strong oral and written communication skills with ability to focus on multiple projects and deliver status on risk areas and required actions
- Hands-on manufacturing experience in assembly and fabrication
- Familiarity with mechanical and electrical engineering processes and other specialty engineering activities within the product development process
- Demonstrated effectiveness in achieving results through understanding and management of internal processes and customer/supplier relationships
- U.S. Citizenship
- Position may require domestic and international travel, <25%
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiar with materials, heat treatment, and plating processes.
- Familiar with military and commercial specifications
- Demonstrated experience with manufacturing processes, such as machining, turning, and grinding.
- Knowledge of IPC-620 and IPC J-STD-001 requirements
- Mechanical design experience with complex gear trains, cams, springs, clutches, machined components, welded structures, electric motors and solenoids
- Experience in product development projects and sustainment of legacy programs for complex aerospace or defense systems
- Candidate should also have a general understanding of continuous improvement, Six Sigma and Lean methodologies in a low volume, high mix, engineer to order, manufacturing environment
- Experience with shop routing paperwork in a low-level kitting and assembly/processing environment
- Familiar with Material Review Boards for product/quality deviation
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering or closely related STEM field
- Level 3: 5 years relevant industry experience or master's degree with 3 years experience
- Level 4: 8 years relevant industry experience or master's degree with 6 years experience
- Understanding of GD&T
- Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD), preferably NX
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint)
- Strong oral and written communication skills with ability to manage multiple projects and report risks/status
- Hands-on manufacturing experience in assembly and fabrication
- Familiarity with mechanical and electrical engineering processes and specialty engineering activities in product development
- Demonstrated effectiveness managing internal processes and customer/supplier relationships
- U.S. Citizen and able to obtain a DoD Secret clearance
- Must be able to obtain ATF Employee Possessor clearance and complete Gun Control Act Self Certification
- Position may require domestic and international travel, <25%
- Familiarity with materials, heat treatment, and plating processes
- Familiar with military and commercial specifications
- Experience with manufacturing processes such as machining, turning, and grinding
- Knowledge of IPC-620 and IPC J-STD-001 requirements
- Mechanical design experience with gear trains, cams, springs, clutches, machined components, welded structures, motors and solenoids
- Experience in product development and sustainment for complex aerospace or defense systems
- Understanding of continuous improvement, Six Sigma and Lean methodologies in low-volume, high-mix, engineer-to-order environments
- Experience with shop routing paperwork in kitting and assembly/processing environments
- Familiar with Material Review Boards for product/quality deviation
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.








