At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we’ll support yours of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field, or an industry thought leader. At Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.
What you will get to do:
Develop and/or modify machining processes related to machining of parts.
Develop new processes, improve existing manufacturing processes, and develop the required tooling and fixtures with an excellent team of experienced machinists, assembly mechanics, welders and engineers.
Designs arrangement of machines within plant facilities to ensure most efficient and productive layout.
Adapts machine or equipment design to factory and production conditions.
May incorporate inspection and test requirements into the production plan. Inspects performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify their efficiency, and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure product quality.
Develops manufacturing processes that are applicable to statistical process control and may develop those techniques.
Provides guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques. Ensures processes and procedures are in compliance with regulations.
Basic Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
Bachelor's in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology Engineering or Math) with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience; OR a Master's Degree in a STEM discipline with 3 or more years of relevant work experience.
Experience with machine equipment & tools, and their capabilities for the purpose of properly routing precision components.
Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings.
Ability to start work at 6:00am Monday through Friday.
Ability to obtain a US Government Secret clearance.
US Citizenship required.
Basic Qualifications for the Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
Bachelor's in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology Engineering or Math) with a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience; OR a Master's Degree in a STEM discipline with 6 or more years of relevant work experience.
Experience with CNC machine equipment & tools, and their capabilities for the purpose of properly routing precision components.
Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings.
Ability to start work at 6:00am Monday through Friday.
Ability to obtain a US Government Secret clearance.
US Citizenship required.
Preferred qualifications for Principal Manufacturing Engineer and Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
Previous work experience machining and troubleshooting of CNC machines.
Experience measuring and analyzing precision parts.
Experience programming CNC lathes, mills and/or grinders.
Experience with selecting and managing Capital Equipment (CapEX) projects for machinery.
Experience with incorporating design for manufacturability (DFM) best practices to reduce costs and improve efficiency during machining.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years' relevant experience OR Master's in a STEM discipline with 3+ years' relevant experience; (Sr. Principal: Bachelor's with 8+ years OR Master's with 6+ years)
- Experience with CNC/machine equipment and tools and their capabilities for routing precision components
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings
- Ability to obtain a U.S. Government Secret clearance
- U.S. Citizenship required
- Ability to start work at 6:00am Monday through Friday
- Previous work experience machining and troubleshooting CNC machines
- Experience measuring and analyzing precision parts
- Experience programming CNC lathes, mills and/or grinders
- Experience selecting and managing Capital Equipment (CapEx) projects for machinery
- Experience incorporating design for manufacturability (DFM) best practices to reduce costs and improve efficiency
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.






