Sr. Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At 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 is currently seeking a Sr. Principal (Level 4) Manufacturing Systems Engineer to provide manufacturing expertise for our Armament Systems Business Unit located in Plymouth, MN.  Armament Systems specializes in the development and production of Ammunition, Guns and Precision Guidance Ordinance.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Manufacturing Systems Engineer develops requirements, performs technical planning, manufacturing system development/integration, verification and validation, and evaluates cost (implementation, savings and return on investment) and implementation/program risk impacts. Manufacturing systems engineers follow projects through all manufacturing readiness level phases: concept development, design, fabrication/assembly/test at lab level, production environment demo, full production operations implementation, sustainment/maintenance/ continuous improvement. These projects focus on advanced and emerging manufacturing capabilities/digital technologies with the goal of improving overall production manufacturing quality, span times/time to market and reduce cost. Leads project technical proposal/SOW writing & estimating while ensuring systemic conversion of requirements to design, implementation and production validations.  Manages project cost and schedule through all phases and execution of transition to production activities of the developed systems to program and functional manufacturing spaces. The primary responsibility for this position is to support the Armament Systems Manufacturing and Infrastructure (M & I) team.

• Subject Matter Expert (SME) representative of manufacturing processes and systems engineering principles with capability to coordinate and lead cross-functional teams.
• Responsible for developing and applying requirements, technical planning, and new manufacturing techniques & capabilities with an understanding of early and conceptual aspects of manufacturing.
• Leads early creation of the cross-functional manufacturing plan explaining the manufacturing approach to produce the product and demonstrates how quality, schedule, and cost targets will be achieved.
• Leads early creation of the cross-functional Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRA) and/or Manufacturing Feasibility Assessments with an objective Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assigned and risks and mitigation steps identified for critical or key parts or products in the program risk register.
• Responsible for engaging and leading support functions to execute the full product life cycle manufacturing plan development & maintenance. Presents the manufacturing plan which includes complex technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ensures and coordinates manufacturing participation in design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA). Influences modeling and analysis techniques to view and understand lifecycle issues as it relates to manufacturing.
• Analyzes and identifies interconnections, relationships, and emerging behaviors in manufacturing to include viewing the manufacturing system or process, and not as individual parts.
• Leads and/or supports manufacturing technology project technical proposal/SOW writing & estimating and development project cost and schedule while ensuring systemic conversion of requirements to design, implementation and production validations.
• Maintains the overall cross-functional manufacturing plan concentrating on critical program elements and transition from proposal to prototype to production, with the goal of manufacturing at scale.
• Leads cross-functional team (Eng, GSC, Quality, etc.) to design, develop, and implement the overall manufacturing system(s), including DFMA and the integration of different processes, equipment, and technologies.
• Conduct root cause analysis to diagnose system inefficiencies and develop corrective actions to include data collection, analysis, and interpretation to drive informed decision-making.
• System level continuous improvement and corrective action with focus on technology development and implementation for cost, span, and quality improvement when necessary.
• Addresses change when required within an existing production line to streamline implementation and reduce risk from the overall production system perspective.
• Communicate effectively, initiate and drive necessary actions to ensure organizational goals are accomplished.
• Resolve functional or process related problems/issues and make sound business decisions.

Job Duties:

• Lead and/or integrate Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) (i.e. design analysis & producibility) across functions and suppliers (e.g. Systems Engineering, Design Engineering, Supplier Mgmt.) in the product design and development phases of the program.
• Incorporate lessons learned and improvement ideas from prior programs and across functions for producibility and design optimization to support cost, schedule, and quality improvements.
• Lead and/or support manufacturing risk & opportunity assessment with other business functions like program management, systems engineering, quality, and supply chain.
• Lead and/or maintain Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRA) with an objective Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assigned for critical and/or key parts and products (at a minimum) and ensures risk, opportunity and maturation recognized with program management & leadership.
• Lead and/or support the establishment and maintenance of a manufacturing plan to include requirements development, technical planning, manufacturing system development, integration, verification and validation, and evaluates cost and implementation/program risk impacts.
• System level planning and validation of manufacturing design integration, scalability, and implementation of complex manufacturing systems, encompassing various processes and technologies.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in a STEM field & 8+ years of related experience, OR a Masters degree in a STEM field & 6+ years of related experience
• An understanding of and practical experience implementing lean manufacturing and (PES) principles
• Expertise in Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action implementation.
• Working knowledge of MS Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Project.
• Comprehend and interpret high level Program Schedules and factory schedules
• Ability to obtain & maintain a DoD security clearance (US Citizenship Required)

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Product launch and or development experience as it relates to setting up a production process
• Experience in improving existing manufacturing processes and equipment to improve efficiency
• Working with support group personnel, (Maintenance, Safety, Engineering, Production Planning, Quality, etc.)
• Experience with building ownership and responsibilities
• History of effective liaison work with Engineering and Operations Sr. Leadership
• Successful leadership of work teams to achieve company and department objectives.
• Current & active DoD security clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00

The 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.