Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector is looking for a Senior Principal Manufacturing Process Engineer located on-site in Rolling Meadows, IL who will lead efforts needed in standing up, modifying and/or sustaining assembly/process capabilities for aerial, military-grade, or space-grade Electronic Warfare Systems and Subsystems.
Key Responsibilities:
As a Technical Leader, this individual will be responsible for:
- Shaping bids during proposal phase and collaborating with cross functions to achieve producibility in new and updated product design. [Positioning the org for success by providing technical involvement needed prior to start of manufacturing / productionization efforts]
- Developing a plan/roadmap to address KPIs for identified assemblies by leading cross-functional discussions, preparing ROI/business case and pursuing funding where needed. [Leading continuous improvement initiatives to reduce SRR, cycle time and defects per unit]
- Leading & driving to on schedule and on budget completion of non-recurring process engineering work packages and capital projects. [Demonstrating technical leadership to ensure NRE activities progress at positive SPI & CPI]
- Performing Earned Value to track progress and put mitigation in place to address schedule or cost risks. [CAM]
- Reporting progress at multiple levels of leadership.
- Process Development/Maintenance: Generate and maintain/revise Manufacturing Engineering Process Specifications, Work Instructions, Routers, Tooling/Fixturing and Equipment.
- Ability to interface/communicate with multiple levels of leadership, clients, and vendors.
High-level ethical standards, strong decision-making skills, and building a strong professional relationship / leading cross functional collaborative effort with other disciplines is essential.
Behavioral Traits sought out:
- The Manufacturing Engineers are expected to be problem solvers with the ability to provide results that are innovative and often achieved through collaboration across functional groups.
- We seek individuals with proven excellence in the following 6 core competencies:
a) Takes high levels of Self-accountability and Ownership
b) Acts with Speed
c) Responds to Challenges with Resilience
d) Leads with Courage
e) Sets vision for the assigned products
f) Builds a High Performing Team
Basic Qualifications for the Sr. Principal Manufacturing Process Engineer (RF Systems):
- Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical Engineering or related degree with a minimum of 8 years relevant experience; OR a Master of Science (MS) degree in equivalent fields and minimum 6 years of relevant experience.
- Experience interpreting drawings and specifications.
- Experience in creating process work instructions, developing/improving manufacturing processes, and/or working in a design or systems environment with limited assistance.
- Experience in leading medium scale projects or leading continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams.
- Must be willing to get CAM certified within 3 months from start.
- United States citizenship required. Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications: Manufacturing Process Engineer (RF Systems)
- CAM certification and experience performing earned value/CAM efforts preferred.
- Experience with leading executive presentations.
- Proven excellence with Root Cause Corrective Action methods.
- Prior experience troubleshooting Circuit Card Assemblies.
- Proven experience in encapsulation processes.
- Demonstrated excellence and/or education in use of the DMAIC process.
- Active DoD Security Clearance but not required.
What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment that 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!
#MPR
Primary Level Salary Range: $123,400.00 - $185,000.00The 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 in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical Engineering or related and minimum 8 years relevant experience (or MS and 6 years).
- Experience interpreting drawings and specifications.
- Experience creating process work instructions and developing or improving manufacturing processes with limited assistance.
- Experience leading medium-scale projects or leading continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and interfacing with multiple levels of leadership, clients, and vendors.
- Willingness to obtain CAM certification within 3 months of start.
- United States citizenship required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance.
- Experience performing earned value/CAM efforts, executive presentations, Root Cause Corrective Action, troubleshooting Circuit Card Assemblies, encapsulation processes, and DMAIC (preferred).
- Active DoD security clearance (preferred, not required).
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.
