Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Principal or Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer based at our Charlottesville, VA campus.
The Manufacturing Engineer will join the Machining and Fabrication Manufacturing Engineering Team within the Multidomain Sensing, Targeting and Survivability Division and will develop and maintain technical solutions for the manufacturing of machined/fabricated components using milling, sheet metal, welding, and forming equipment. This position will also interact with stakeholders and manufacturing leadership for metrics reporting and issue resolution.
What You'll Get To Do:
Lead the development and improvement of manufacturing processes and procedures for complex machined components using milling, sheet metal forming, welding, and coating processes
Design sequence of operations and specifies procedures for the fabrication of parts, tools, equipment and other functions affecting product performance
Perform continuous improvement activities focused on cost/schedule savings during manufacturing
Perform root cause and corrective action plans using industry standard techniques
Provide guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques
Interface directly with operators, cell supervisors and others on the shop floor in a production environment
Travel to suppliers as required, to achieve positive outcomes
Foster a collaborative culture that sustains momentum around engagement, problem solving, and continuous improvement
Serve as a lead role for Manufacturing Engineering Department and a role model for NG Values
This position may be filled at a level 3 (Principal) or 4 (Senior Principal) based on the qualifications below.
This position is on site only, with a 7:00AM start time.
#MPR
Basic Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and candidates with an Associate's degree and a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering will also be considered.
Experience with manufacturing, or process design, of machined and fabricated components from raw material
Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings
Experience in CAD and CAM software
Experience with shop floor support
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance
US Citizenship is required.
Basic Qualifications for the Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree and a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and candidates with an Associate's degree and a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering will also be considered.
Experience with manufacturing, or process design, of machined and fabricated components from raw material
Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings
Experience in CAD and CAM software
Experience with shop floor support
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance
US Citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications for Both Levels:
Bachelor's Degree in a related STEM field
Experience with ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management System certification process
Experience with leading capability reviews for new incoming work into a manufacturing plant
Experience with leading process development and improvement within area of expertise
Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI) procedures
Experience using Siemens Teamcenter PLM
Experience facilitating Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) activities
Experience with model based designs and/or digital transformation
Defense industry experience
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt
Experience auditing and improving manufacturing processes
Experience in any of the following software: SigmaNest, MasterCAM, Siemens NX, AutoCAD, SAP
Experience with 5-axis CAM programming
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 with at least 5 years of relevant experience for Principal level; or Master's degree with 3 years; or Associate's degree with 7 years.
- Bachelor's degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience for Senior Principal level; or Master's degree with 6 years; or Associate's degree with 10 years.
- Experience manufacturing or designing processes for machined and fabricated components from raw material.
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings.
- Experience with CAD and CAM software.
- Experience supporting manufacturing shop floors.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.
- U.S. citizenship.
- Bachelor's degree in a related STEM field.
- Experience with ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality management system certification processes.
- Experience leading capability reviews for incoming manufacturing work.
- Experience leading process development and improvement.
- Experience with First Article Inspection procedures.
- Experience using Siemens Teamcenter PLM.
- Experience facilitating Root Cause Corrective Action and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis activities.
- Experience with model-based design or digital transformation.
- Defense industry experience.
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt.
- Experience auditing and improving manufacturing processes.
- Experience with SigmaNest, MasterCAM, Siemens NX, AutoCAD, or SAP.
- Experience with 5-axis CAM programming.
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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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.
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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.
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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.








