We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal / Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer based in Sunnyvale, CA.
The Manufacturing Engineer will support the welding and fabrication of marine propulsion and power generations systems working on various manufacturing processes for high-value gearing and steam turbine assemblies, machined components, and welded fabrications. These processes include precision manual assembly, welding, bonding, and heat treatment of iron based products.
What You'll get to Do:
- Develop new processes, improve existing manufacturing processes, and develop the required tooling and fixtures with an excellent team of experienced assembly mechanics, machinists, welders and engineers.
- Develop, document, and optimize welding procedures and fabrication processes.
- Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and systems to reduce cost, improve sustainability and develop best practices within the manufacturing environment.
- Develop efficient process flows, optimized production area layouts, and develop end to end manufacturing plans for welded/fabrications assemblies.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of new capital equipment for establishing expanded production processes.
- Collaborate with design engineering to ensure manufacturability and DFM considerations.
- Lead qualification and certification of welding processes and personnel.
- The ability to work on site with some exceptions for offsite work occasionally with approval.
This position may be filled at a level 3 (Principal) or level 4 (Sr. Principal) depending on candidate experience.
Basic Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience; OR a Master's Degree with 3 or more years of experience.
- Experience with fabrication processes (welding, thermal/fusion cutting, heat treatment, plate forming or quality inspections).
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings.
- Experience in technical writing and presentations.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
Basic Qualifications for the Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience; OR a Master's Degree with 6 or more years of experience.
- Experience with fabrication processes (welding, thermal/fusion cutting, heat treatment, plate forming or quality inspections).
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings.
- Experience in technical writing and presentations.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications for Principal Manufacturing Engineer and Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or similar.
- Experience with welding symbols, codes, and standards particularly Mil. Standards and Tech Pub.
- Experience with robotic welding.
- Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing).
- Experience with GD&T inspections.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience for the Principal level
- Master's degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience for the Principal level
- Bachelor's degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience for the Sr. Principal level
- Master's degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience for the Sr. Principal level
- Experience with fabrication processes, including welding, thermal/fusion cutting, heat treatment, plate forming, or quality inspections
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings
- Experience in technical writing and presentations
- U.S. citizenship
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or a similar discipline
- Experience with welding symbols, codes, and standards, particularly military standards and technical publications
- Experience with robotic welding
- Experience with additive manufacturing or 3D printing
- Experience with GD&T inspections
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.





