Northrop Grumman is currently seeking a Product Design Engineering Manager 1 to join our product design engineering group at our Ronkonkoma, New York location to support the Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS&C) business unit. This position will report to another manager within the product design organization.
The Northrop Grumman PS&C business unit is based in Elkton, Maryland and began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the Elkton PS&C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems in programs professionally managed for a wide variety of Government and commercial customers. The PS&C business unit has supporting locations in Ronkonkoma, New York and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Job Summary
The product design engineering manager will be responsible for managing a staff of approximately 5-10 engineers supporting development programs within the Advanced Propulsion & Systems (AP&S) market area. This market area is primarily focused on high-speed airbreathing propulsion systems for ramjet and scramjet applications along with testing and technology activities.
Job Responsibilities
- Manage a group of approximately 5-10 project and design engineers supporting multiple development programs.
- Ensure that the technical approaches, designs, and technical plans meet the program or proposal requirements, objectives, and cost/schedule constraints.
- Actively manage direct reports in areas such as safety, job expectations, career goals, mentoring/coaching, and strategy deployment.
- Ensure staff receive the appropriate training and skill development opportunities to be successful in their roles.
- Provide continual feedback with respect to individual performance.
- Additional specific expectations include:
- Plan, prioritize, allocate and manage resources to meet program staffing and department needs.
- Utilize development plans, stretch assignments, 1:1 feedback, coaching/mentoring, training, recognition, promotion/equity, and other tools to develop and reward our engineering talent.
- Ensure that engineering, program management, and other functional departments are aligned with program/proposal goals and technical and programmatic approaches.
- Apply sound engineering principles and ensure compliance with NGDS processes and standards.
- Take a leadership role in solving significant engineering issues. Work with lead/chief engineers, develop plans to resolve issues, communicate plans, ensure appropriate technical resources are applied, and advise senior management on progress.
- Use appropriate metrics to monitor engineering performance and drive data-based decision making.
- Pursue improvement initiatives related to engineering processes and procedures, including audits and training.
Success in this role will reflect extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.
Basic Qualifications
· Bachelors of Science in STEM, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering preferred.
· Minimum of 5 years of experience in successful proposal, design, and development of jet engine or high-speed propulsion systems.
· Strong technical background in propulsion systems, technical risk assessment, technical planning, and program execution is required.
· Strong experience in drawing and model review, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
· Must be a self-starter and possess the skills necessary to lead and motivate others, achieving results in a timely manner.
· Excellent oral, presentation and written communication to all levels of an organization.
· Intermediate to advanced computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
· Ability to make presentations for executive leadership and demonstrate fact-based decision-making skills.
· Must be able to obtain Secret Clearance, US citizenship is a pre-requisite.
· Ability and willingness to travel 10-25%.
Preferred Qualifications
- History of team leadership or resource management.
- Masters of Science or higher degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or related science field.
- History with high-speed or hypersonic systems and related test events and activities.
- Familiarity with engineering quality, and manufacturing processes/procedures including design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA).
- Demonstrated process improvement experience and knowledge.
- Ability to understand and work with multiple enterprise-wide systems.
- Active Secret or higher clearance.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in STEM, preferably Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
- At least 5 years of successful proposal, design, and development experience with jet engine or high-speed propulsion systems
- Strong technical background in propulsion systems, technical risk assessment, technical planning, and program execution
- Strong experience in drawing and model review and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
- Ability to lead and motivate others and achieve timely results
- Excellent oral, presentation, and written communication skills
- Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to present to executive leadership and demonstrate fact-based decision-making
- Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability and willingness to travel 10–25%
- Team leadership or resource management experience
- Master of Science or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a related science field
- Experience with high-speed or hypersonic systems and related test activities
- Familiarity with engineering quality and manufacturing processes, including DFMA
- Demonstrated process improvement experience
- Experience with multiple enterprise-wide systems
- Active Secret or higher 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.


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