Principal Mechanical Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems has an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Mechanical Engineer to support our Armament Systems site in Plymouth, MN.

We are a leading producer of medium and large-caliber tactical and training ammunition for U.S. and allied militaries. Northrop Grumman is at the forefront of developing new, advanced ammunition types that include armor penetration, airbursting, proximity-fuzed and guided munitions to enhance lethality and overmatch on the battlefield.

Position Overview

This position provides mechanical and production engineering support for development and fabrication of medium caliber ammunition.  In general, as a member of an integrated product team, you will be providing mechanical engineering support and work direction to distributed manufacturing and test locations, investigating and solving design and manufacturing issues, developing and documenting manufacturing processes, coordinating efforts between internal functional groups, supporting manufacturing and ammunition testing, supporting communications with our customers, and providing support and oversight to material suppliers.  This role will be focused on the mechanical design of the medium caliber ammunition being developed.

Typical Duties (Including but not limited to)

• Conduct Failure Analysis and Corrective Actions to drive the rapid resolution of complex design issues.
• Provide mechanical design-to-production engineering support for the development of new and modification of existing medium caliber ammunition products
• Provide work direction and engineering support to our distributed manufacturing and test locations
• Assist in the resolution of complex manufacturing line process issues such as machining, metal finishing, painting, heat treating, general mechanical assembly, and test
• Research and evaluate commercially available tools and equipment to support manufacturing activities. Design and procure specialized tooling and fixtures.
• Develop new, and improve existing, manufacturing processes
• Develop task releases, get them approved and introduced into the manufacturing system
• Prepare for and support Build Readiness Reviews and Production Readiness Reviews
• Create test requests and support test readiness reviews
• Coordinate manufacturing efforts between internal functional disciplines including Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, and Test.
• As the responsible agent for the product Technical Data Package, support the creation and release of Engineering Changes (concept through final release).
• Provide Engineering disposition on tooling and gage changes from internal and external sources
• Provide Engineering disposition on non-conforming product from internal and external sources
• Provide Engineering approval on proposed process changes from internal and external sources
• Create, publish, review and maintain all necessary documentation required for new and existing manufacturing programs.
• Manufacturing work instructions
• Manufacturing bills of material and build lists
• TDP reviews for correctness and completeness
• Ensure appropriate documentation is in Configuration Management system
• Monitor In-Process Testing and Lot Acceptance Testing for compliance to performance specification requirements. 
• Assist in the preparation of engineering and program proposals
• Assist in the preparation of and participate in customer meetings and program reviews
• Travel up to about 10%

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar STEM discipline
• 5+ years of relevant experience in engineering; or master’s degree plus 3 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Ability to guide successful completion of significant tasks and provide some work direction, mentoring, and coordination of other technical team members.
• Experience working and communicating with customers, program management, and engineering management
• Technical understanding of mechanical mechanisms, electromechanical mechanisms, manufacturing processes, metal fabrication, and standard assembly processes.
• Applies knowledge of engineering and scientific methods, theories and research techniques in the disciplined investigation and solution of technical problems.
• The person filling this position must be able to work with a wide variety of multi-discipline people, in remote settings, interact with them frequently, building strong trusting relationships.
• Experience and proficiency in working with multiple projects.
• Self-motivated to start and complete quality work
• Strong communication skills, written and verbal
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Suite, including MS Project.
• Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. government secret level security clearance
• As a responsible party to ATF, obtain coverage under Safe Explosive Act as employee possessor/responsible person upon starting.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with metal coatings and heat treatments
• Familiarity and experience with energetic materials typically found in medium caliber ammunition
• Familiarity and experience with the manufacture and test of medium caliber ammunition
• Ability to read drawings with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
• Experience working at a site compliant with AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, or equivalent

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00

The 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.