The Role
Provides manufacturing engineering support for aerospace production programs and model-based manufacturing tools. Responsibilities include managing PLM, SAP, and MES support; driving program stand-up actions; coordinating software enhancements; maintaining metrics and staffing plans; updating knowledge articles; and supporting training and testing. The role requires on-site work, active Secret clearance, Special Program Access, aerospace manufacturing expertise, and occasional physical work in production environments.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an opening for a Principal/Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer Level 3/4 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals supporting our Production Engineering and Operations (PE&O) organization. The position requires on-site support located in Palmdale, CA and cannot be performed remotely due to the nature of the role.
Manufacturing Engineers for Aeronautics Systems are expected to provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex and difficult problems. They are problem solvers who can provide results that are innovative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives.
The selected candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Model-Based Manufacturing Engineering Team (MBM) working in a collaborative environment while promoting a positive and proactive teamwork environment.
Job Duties:
- Support Program Manufacturing Engineers with Issues/Requests, including:
- Support as Subject Matter Expert of knowledge-based articles
- Update knowledge-based articles as required
- Write, submit, and track tickets for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tool
- Drive New Program Stand Up Actions
- Provide support for CPLM, SAP, and MES software with manufacturing
- Conduct software enhancement request meetings with users and drive actions to completion
- Develop and maintain metrics gathering and reporting for MBM tools and software
- Support MBM staffing plans and coordination with programs
- Aid in software training updates and testing as required
Basic Qualifications:
Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Level 3):
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) and 4 year or experience in the following engineering fields; Manufacturing, Quality, Production, Industrial, Process, Mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautics OR Masters in STEM with 3 years of experience OR PhD in STEM with 0 years of experience.
- Experience with applying manufacturing expertise to guide Engineering design for optimal producibility.
- Experience conducting tool design reviews to ensure feasibility and minimize assembly build times and costs.
- Experience with Identifying manufacturing processes and specialty tooling to enhance efficiency, quality, and ergonomics.
- Experience with defining production build sequences, investigates non-conformance, and implements corrective actions and producibility improvements.
- Experience with providing liaison support to Engineering, influencing design for low-cost integrated assembly across electrical, hydraulic, fuel, fluid, and propulsion systems.
- Must have a current and active U.S. Government Clearance.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR) per company and determined by business needs
- Must have a current and active U.S. Government Clearance.
- Must have active Special Program Access (PAR) per company and determined by business needs
- Experience with strict adherence to PPE protocols and occasional entry into confined spaces.
- Ability to maintain focus and productivity throughout extended work shifts (up to 10 hours) while operating computer systems and performing necessary physical tasks, including standing, bending, and kneeling.
- Ability to be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Level 4):
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) and 8 year or experience in the following engineering fields; Manufacturing, Quality, Production, Industrial, Process, Mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautics OR Masters in STEM with 6 years of experience OR PhD in STEM with 4 years of experience.
- Experience with applying manufacturing expertise to guide Engineering design for optimal producibility.
- Experience conducting tool design reviews to ensure feasibility and minimize assembly build times and costs.
- Experience with Identifying manufacturing processes and specialty tooling to enhance efficiency, quality, and ergonomics.
- Experience with defining production build sequences, investigates non-conformance, and implements corrective actions and producibility improvements.
- Experience with providing liaison support to Engineering, influencing design for low-cost integrated assembly across electrical, hydraulic, fuel, fluid, and propulsion systems.
- Must have a current and active U.S. Government Clearance.
- Must have active Special Program Access (PAR) per company and determined by business needs
- Experience with strict adherence to PPE protocols and occasional entry into confined spaces.
- Ability to maintain focus and productivity throughout extended work shifts (up to 10 hours) while operating computer systems and performing necessary physical tasks, including standing, bending, and kneeling.
- Ability to be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
Preferred Qualifications:
- STEM Degree (Science, Technical, Engineering or Mathematical).
- Active Secret or Top-Secret clearance.
- Experience and process knowledge in aerospace manufacturing.
- Knowledge of data analytics
- Experience working hands-on in a production assembly line environment.
- Experience reviewing and interpreting Blueprints and/or 3-D models.
- Experience with Manufacturing Engineering, Tooling Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance, or Machining/Fabrication Processes.
- Experience in Lean Six Sigma.
- Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
- Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
- Experience in creating Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Work Instructions.
- System Application and Production (SAP) knowledge.
- Experience providing innovative techniques focused on improving product designs and tooling assemblies or equipment.
- Experience working with Aeronautics Sector Production Engineering and Operations tools and processes in a manufacturing environment
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and 4 years of relevant engineering experience for Level 3; or a master's degree with 3 years; or a PhD with 0 years.
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and 8 years of relevant engineering experience for Level 4; or a master's degree with 6 years; or a PhD with 4 years.
- Experience applying manufacturing expertise to guide engineering design for producibility.
- Experience conducting tool design reviews.
- Experience identifying manufacturing processes and specialty tooling.
- Experience defining production build sequences, investigating nonconformances, and implementing corrective actions.
- Experience providing liaison support to engineering and influencing integrated assembly design.
- Current and active U.S. Government clearance.
- Active Special Program Access (PAR).
- Ability to follow PPE protocols and occasionally enter confined spaces.
- Ability to work extended shifts up to 10 hours and perform standing, bending, and kneeling.
- Ability to lift 15 pounds at times.
- STEM degree.
- Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.
- Aerospace manufacturing experience and process knowledge.
- Data analytics knowledge.
- Hands-on production assembly line experience.
- Experience reviewing blueprints or 3-D models.
- Manufacturing engineering, tooling engineering, aircraft maintenance, or machining/fabrication experience.
- Lean Six Sigma experience.
- Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning systems.
- Experience creating Manufacturing Execution System work instructions.
- SAP knowledge.
- Experience improving product designs, tooling assemblies, or equipment.
- Experience with aerospace production engineering and operations tools and processes.
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.
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The Company
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.
