Engineering Design Manager – Level 3
About The Position
Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking an Engineering Design Manager – 3 to join the Mission Enabling Products (MEP) Business Unit in San Diego, CA. This position is 100% on-site. The MEP Business Unit designs, builds, and delivers space, defense, and aviation-related systems for customers worldwide. Our products include satellites and associated space components and services, launch vehicles and propulsion systems, missile products and subsystems, defense electronics, precision weapons, armament systems, and advanced aerospace structures. As the Engineering Design Manager – 3, you will provide both technical and programmatic leadership for the Design Engineering team, with responsibility for product performance, quality, technical execution, schedule, and cost. You will oversee design activities, manage and develop engineering talent, and drive continuous improvement of tools, processes, and capabilities to support current and future programs. The ideal candidate is a positive, visible leader with strong engineering management experience who can improve morale, develop talent, and build an engaged, high performing team. Foster a positive, inclusive, high trust culture in a small team, with a focus on improving morale and psychological safety. Lead the team through significant change, setting clear priorities, communicating transparently, and helping engineers navigate shifting demands while maintaining engagement and focus.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 8+ years of experience in mechanical, structural, or related engineering disciplines (e.g., aerospace, space, or other mission-critical hardware domains).
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing an engineering team on structural design efforts.
- Aerospace experience with product definition (specifications, SOWs, drawings, ICD compliance) and design and verification processes.
- Understanding of aerospace composite tooling, including layup molds, assembly fixtures, test fixtures, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
- Experience with composite manufacturing processes and applications.
- Proficiency in CAD and PLM systems (e.g., Siemens NX and Teamcenter).
- Strong proficiency in drawing generation, including application and review of GD&T.
- Demonstrated experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles and mistake-proofing.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Extensive experience with composite/metallic assemblies, including bonded/fastened joints, associated materials, adhesives, and fasteners.
- Extensive experience in the design of composite structures and associated manufacturing tooling.
- Experience with end-item test design and support, including static load testing and dynamic testing.
- Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement activities to reduce cost and improve efficiency.
- Ability to oversee and review the design of composite products and tooling to ensure successful execution of manufacturing and test plans.
- Broad understanding of engineering, manufacturing, cost and schedule execution, scope management, and risk management.
- Active U.S. Government TS/SCI clearance.
Responsibilities
- Manage staffing, requisitions, and allocation of design resources; manage direct labor yield (DLY) and training.
- Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and career development discussions with design engineers.
- Drive employee engagement, retention, and talent development through clear expectations, feedback, and coaching.
- Lead the team through significant change by setting priorities, communicating transparently, and helping engineers navigate shifting demands.
- Provide technical oversight and guidance to design engineers across multiple programs.
- Review tooling and product design methodologies, drawings, and design review packages (PDR, CDR, MRR) to ensure the operational success of flight hardware.
- Coordinate with analysis, manufacturing, quality, program management, and chief engineers throughout the design and build process.
- Ensure all design work products meet program requirements for quality, technical rigor, schedule, and cost, and are executed in accordance with engineering requirements and standards.
- Lead daily management of design issues (technical, schedule, and financial), including escalation as needed.
- Support Daily Management Review (DMR) by communicating status, highlighting conflicts, and recommending solutions.
- Support technical reviews at the design level and coordinate design activities with program management and chief engineers.
- Track and drive improvements in First Pass Yield (FPY) and On-Time Delivery (OTD).
- Generate proposal Bases of Estimates (BOEs) for design labor and tooling costs.
- Ensure consistent execution of standard practices, methods, and design software within the Design organization.
- Implement lessons learned, standard practices, and continuous improvement plans.
- Lead initiatives to advance design technology, strategic capability, capacity, and overall efficiency.
Benefits
- Relocation assistance may be available
- health insurance coverage
- life and disability insurance
- savings plan
- Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- overtime
- shift differential
- discretionary bonus
- Annual bonuses
- Long Term Incentives (for VP or Director positions)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
