Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Manufacturing Operations Manager 2 based out of Elkridge, MD.
You will be responsible for the direct supervision of 15 to 20 represented and non-represented employees and processes in a manufacturing environment. The Manager is expected to work independently across organizations, oversee and manage all operational aspects of the manufacturing/test & integration areas. The manager is responsible for the safety of the employees, delivering quality products on time and within customer cost targets, supporting continuous improvement and quality assurance related activities, managing cost/schedule and assess issues and developing mitigation plans to meet productivity, quality, cost, and delivery goals.
What You’ll Get to Do:
Manage daily operations of mechanical assembly, integration, and test processes to support new production, integration, sustainment spares assembly, and returned material for repair (RMR) assembly
Assign and manage operators and test technicians to maximize efficiency and achieve target productive yields
Provide direction for employees utilizing management guidelines and general policies for with direct supervision of up to 15 non-represented employees in a manufacturing environment across one/split shift
Oversee the status of work in process, material availability, and potential production problems to ensure that personnel, equipment, materials, and services are available, as needed.
Directs and coordinates the activities to plan, manage, and control production schedules, in conjunction with Material Requirements Planning and Production Control, to meet production/delivery requirements
Maintains ownership of key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive process control, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency
Utilizes both internal and external resources, and coordinates interdepartmental activity with operations, quality assurance, production control, supply chain, engineering, inventory control, transportation, etc.
Involved in staffing decisions, training, and driving engagement efforts to achieve the employee's highest potential
Support Process Development, Continuous Improvement, Capacity Planning, Capital & Facility Planning, Annual Budget Planning and Monthly Cost Performance, Manpower Planning, Staffing, and ISO9001, AS9100, and all auditable processes
Support customer proposal by provide basis of estimates for labor and schedule duration
Participates in efforts and activities involving first-time manufacturing builds, including the establishment of workspace, process flow, and personnel responsibilities.
Work independently across organizations
Manage the use of consumable to achieve budget target
Support calibration process for equipment (POC)
Ensuring compliance to all Northrop Grumman policies and procedures as applicable for manufacturing environments
Ensure that equipment and machinery are maintained in accordance with preventative maintenance schedules for each assigned area
Encourages and provides direction for career development of employees, including educational options for highly motivated employees
The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, collaborative/team settings across all levels
Accountable to meet or exceed the safety, quality, delivery, employee, and cost expectations of internal and external customers across all [Product Area] programs
Support ISO, LEAN, World class manufacturing practices
Ability to document and standardize task and efforts
Implement process improvements to improve affordability, quality, and schedule
Perform required GOLDesp, SAP/MES transactions to manage personnel
Ensure that equipment and work area remain in a clean and orderly condition
Maintain a safe work environment
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree with 8 years of experience in a Manufacturing and/or Test Environment; Master's Degree with 6 years of experience in a Manufacturing and/or Test Environment; 12 years of relevant experience in a Manufacturing and/or Test Environment experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
Experience mentoring, leading, and/or coaching
Experience with partnership/collaboration skills and ability to partner with cross disciplines within a team
Experience creating reports, trend analysis, policy & procedure updates, and presentations to functional & program leadership using MS Office tools - Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Active/Current U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance
U.S. Citizenship required
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree in a STEM Field or management discipline
Experience in both production and sustainment work environments
Lean manufacturing and process improvement implementation experience
Agile manufacturing environment experience
Experience managing department budgets
Experience in a DoD regulated environment
Experience in SAP (MES) (or related) and GOLD system knowledge
Experience with production control and manufacturing processes
Operational and sustainment repair support/repair depot experience
Excellent verbal communication skills with Technician staff, Manufacturing support personnel, Functional management, Program management and related groups
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: $127,100.00 - $190,700.00The 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 with 8 years of experience in a manufacturing and/or test environment
- Master's degree with 6 years of experience in a manufacturing and/or test environment
- 12 years of relevant manufacturing and/or test environment experience may substitute for a degree
- Experience mentoring, leading, and/or coaching
- Partnership and collaboration skills across cross-disciplinary teams
- Experience creating reports, trend analyses, policy and procedure updates, and presentations using Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Active/current U.S. Government Secret security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Advanced degree in a STEM field or management discipline
- Experience in production and sustainment work environments
- Lean manufacturing and process improvement implementation experience
- Agile manufacturing environment experience
- Experience managing department budgets
- Experience in a Department of Defense regulated environment
- Experience with SAP MES or related systems and GOLD system knowledge
- Experience with production control and manufacturing processes
- Operational and sustainment repair support or repair depot experience
- Excellent verbal communication skills with technicians, manufacturing support, functional management, program management, and related groups
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.








