At the heart of who we are, Northrop Grumman is a leading American manufacturing company delivering advanced technologies in support of national security. Our manufacturing operations in Waynesboro, Virginia support production of advanced electronics, radar, and communication systems within our broader portfolio of defense capabilities. Our teams work collaboratively to ensure manufacturing excellence, production readiness, and continuous improvement across programs.
A current clearance is NOT required to apply to and interview for this job.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Industrial Engineer or a Senior Principal Industrial Engineer to support production and manufacturing operations at our Central Virginia manufacturing facilities.
What You’ll Get to Do:
As a hands-on Industrial Engineer you will ensure the efficient and effective flow of products through our advanced manufacturing facilities. You will leverage your expertise in simulation and process optimization to develop scalable models and create innovative plant layouts. Leading continuous improvement initiatives, you will enhance process performance and standardization while driving cost control and resource management.
Your ability to translate complex business questions into actionable data insights and visualizations will support pivotal decision-making. Additionally, you will play a key role in training and mentoring team members, contributing to knowledge sharing, and leading cross-functional projects to meet our global mission objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and use simulation models to optimize plant configurations, process flows, and product routing, ensuring efficient system flow between cells on-site.
- Analyze lead times, queue times, work-in-process, cycle times, and throughput to meet customer demand.
- Lead Continuous Improvement activities (5-S, VSM, Kaizen, 6-Sigma) and develop standardized processes.
- Conduct cost control and inventory studies, and improve labor performance and resource loading.
- Translate business questions into actionable modeling and analysis using tools like Python, R, Power BI, Tableau, etc.
- Create and interpret data visualizations to support decision-making.
- Coordinate facility capital plan execution.
We are looking for candidates who thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, possess excellent communication skills, and have a passion for innovation and teamwork.
This job requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance plus program clearance. A current clearance is NOT required to apply to and interview for this job. If you do accept an offer for this position we will start the clearance process immediately, and your start date will be confirmed once you are granted an Interim Secret clearance. The average time to obtain an Interim Secret clearance is about 30 days.
This position is contingent upon proposal/task award.
This requisition may be filled as a Principal Industrial Engineer or a Senior Principal Industrial Engineer.
Basic Qualifications for a Principal Industrial Engineer (T3):
- Bachelor's degree or higher in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree only require a minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
- Industrial Engineering or Manufacturing experience.
- Experience with advanced business systems applications in IE, including but not limited to MES, SAP, Tableau.
- Experience with statistics, data analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and visualization.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret level security clearance plus program clearance
- Interim Secret clearance is required to start.
- US Citizenship is required.
- Ability to travel up to 10%.
Basic Qualifications for a Senior Principal Industrial Engineer (T4):
- Bachelor's degree or higher in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
- A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree only require a minimum of 6 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
- Industrial Engineering or Manufacturing experience.
- Experience with advanced business systems applications in IE, including but not limited to MES, SAP, Tableau.
- Experience with statistics, data analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and visualization.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret level security clearance plus program clearance
- Interim Secret clearance is required to start.
- US Citizenship is required.
- Ability to travel up to 10%.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proficiency in manufacturing simulations with tools such as Process Simulate, Plant Simulate, and NX Line Designer (or equivalent modeling software).
- Experience with improving manufacturing workflow using optimization, modeling, or simulation methods.
- Technical experience in manufacturing/production environment in defense, aerospace, or automotive industries.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Atlassian Jira).
- Lean Six-Sigma green belt.
- Active DoD Secret security clearance.
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: $89,400.00 - $134,200.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $111,700.00 - $167,500.00The 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 Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
- At least 5 years of relevant manufacturing or industrial engineering experience for Principal level; 8 years for Senior Principal level.
- For candidates with only a master’s degree, at least 3 years of relevant experience for Principal level or 6 years for Senior Principal level.
- Industrial engineering or manufacturing experience.
- Experience with advanced industrial engineering business systems, including MES, SAP, or Tableau.
- Experience with statistics, data analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and data visualization.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret security clearance plus program clearance.
- Interim Secret clearance required to start.
- US citizenship.
- Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
- Proficiency with manufacturing simulation tools such as Process Simulate, Plant Simulate, and NX Line Designer, or equivalent modeling software.
- Experience improving manufacturing workflows using optimization, modeling, or simulation methods.
- Technical experience in a defense, aerospace, or automotive manufacturing or production environment.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency with project management tools such as Microsoft Project or Atlassian Jira.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
- Active DoD Secret security clearance.
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.
