Job Description
Northrop Grumman, New River Energetics (NRE) at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Radford, Virginia, operates a propellant manufacturing facility, producing energetic materials for the commercial and sporting markets. NRE also loads, assembles and packs medium caliber ammunition for U.S. government and international customers.
New River Energetics has an excellent opportunity for a Senior Principal Process Engineer, responsible for maintaining the process control activities for the NRE operational unit. This is a full-time, onsite salaried position, reporting to the Manufacturing Process and Product Engineering Manager.
Specific duties include but are not limited to:
- Develop and maintain control system logic (PLC programming) and HMI interfaces.
- Interface with the Process Engineering team for development of new or modification of existing controls logic.
- Work in a multifunctional team to solve production related issues.
- Work with maintenance staff to troubleshoot and repair production specific equipment.
- Respond to design and specification changes by capturing details into the manufacturing process and technical documentation
- Generate specifications for procurement of new equipment.
- Assist in establishing safety requirements for facilities and equipment.
- Establish Key Characteristics for manufacturing/processing and ensure systems are in place to monitor and control them.
- Develop and execute capital projects that expand the efficiency and modernization of control systems for all programs
- Analyze data from control systems to improve processes and efficiency
- Train personnel on the use and operations of control systems
- Develop and implement software for control systems
- Conduct system testing and validation procedures for control systems
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Automation, Controls, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent STEM degree plus 8 years of total relevant experience; or Master’s degree in Automation, Controls, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent STEM degree plus 6 years of total relevant experience.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Successful candidates will be Action Oriented, Resourceful, Tech Savvy, and will be able to Communicate Effectively and possess Situational Adaptability
- Microsoft Office proficiency - Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license (Real ID)
- Must be able to obtain clearance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives as an Employee Possessor
- Must pass RFAAP badging requirements, including background check and drug screening.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Control systems and automation background preferred
- Previous experience in a manufacturing environment
- Knowledge of control systems logic and programming
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities
- Experience in explosives type environment
- Knowledge of safety standards and regulatory compliance
- Proficiency with PLC programming and troubleshooting Modicon and Allen Bradley
- Familiarity with industrial networking protocols and standards
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in Automation, Controls, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent STEM degree plus 8 years of relevant experience
- Master’s degree in a relevant engineering or equivalent STEM field plus 6 years of relevant experience may substitute for the bachelor’s requirement
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Effective communication, action orientation, resourcefulness, technical aptitude, and situational adaptability
- Microsoft Office proficiency, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Valid driver’s license and Real ID
- Ability to obtain Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Employee Possessor clearance
- Ability to pass Radford Army Ammunition Plant badging requirements, background check, and drug screening
- Control systems and automation experience
- Previous manufacturing environment experience
- Knowledge of control systems logic and programming
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities
- Experience in an explosives-type environment
- Knowledge of safety standards and regulatory compliance
- Proficiency with PLC programming and troubleshooting Modicon and Allen Bradley systems
- Familiarity with industrial networking protocols and standards
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.








