Principal/Sr. Principal Engineer Manufacturing Level 3/4

Northrop Grumman • Palmdale, CA

47d • $103,600 - $193,900 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is hiring a Principal or Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Level 3/4) for its Production Engineering and Operations organization. The position is part of the Model-Based Manufacturing Engineering Team, working collaboratively to support manufacturing programs. The role provides technical solutions to complex problems and applies practical, thorough, and innovative approaches aligned with organizational objectives. It requires on-site work in Palmdale, California and cannot be performed remotely. Relocation assistance may be available. The role requires a current and active U.S. Government Secret clearance and, as applicable, Special Program Access (PAR). Travel is 10% of the time.

The engineer supports Program Manufacturing Engineers and the use of model-based manufacturing tools and software. Responsibilities include maintaining knowledge-based articles, managing Product Lifecycle Management tool tickets, supporting new program stand-up activities, assisting manufacturing users with CPLM, SAP, and MES, and coordinating software enhancements, metrics, staffing, training, and testing.

The role requires applying manufacturing expertise to guide design for producibility; reviewing tool designs; identifying processes and specialty tooling; defining production build sequences; investigating nonconformance and implementing corrective actions; and supporting engineering liaison work to enable low-cost integrated assembly across electrical, hydraulic, fuel, fluid, and propulsion systems. The job may involve strict PPE protocols, occasional confined-space entry, extended shifts of up to 10 hours, and physical tasks such as standing, bending, kneeling, and lifting up to 15 pounds at times.

Requirements

• Principal (Level 3): Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 4 years of experience in Manufacturing, Quality, Production, Industrial, Process, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Aeronautics engineering; or a STEM master’s degree and 3 years of experience; or a STEM Ph.D. with 0 years of experience.
• Sr. Principal (Level 4): Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and 8 years of experience in Manufacturing, Quality, Production, Industrial, Process, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Aeronautics engineering; or a STEM master’s degree and 6 years of experience; or a STEM Ph.D. and 4 years of experience.
• Experience applying manufacturing expertise to guide engineering design for optimal producibility.
• Experience conducting tool design reviews to ensure feasibility and minimize assembly build times and costs.
• Experience identifying manufacturing processes and specialty tooling to enhance efficiency, quality, and ergonomics.
• Experience defining production build sequences, investigating nonconformance, and implementing corrective actions and producibility improvements.
• Experience providing liaison support to Engineering and influencing design for low-cost integrated assembly across electrical, hydraulic, fuel, fluid, and propulsion systems.
• Current and active U.S. Government clearance; the posting specifies Secret clearance for the start of the role.
• Active Special Program Access (PAR) is required for the Sr. Principal level; the Level 3 posting also states the ability to obtain and maintain PAR and separately states active PAR may be required based on company and business needs.
• Strict adherence to PPE protocols and occasional entry into confined spaces.
• Ability to maintain focus and productivity during extended shifts of up to 10 hours while operating computer systems and performing physical tasks including standing, bending, and kneeling.
• Ability to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to work on site in Palmdale, California.

Nice To Haves

• STEM degree.
• Active Secret or Top-Secret clearance.
• Experience and process knowledge in aerospace manufacturing.
• Knowledge of data analytics.
• Hands-on experience in a production assembly line environment.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting blueprints and/or 3-D models.
• Experience with Manufacturing Engineering, Tooling Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance, or Machining/Fabrication Processes.
• Experience in Lean Six Sigma.
• Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Experience creating Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) work instructions.
• System Application and Production (SAP) knowledge.
• Experience providing innovative techniques focused on improving product designs and tooling assemblies or equipment.
• Experience working with Aeronautics Sector Production Engineering and Operations tools and processes in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Support Program Manufacturing Engineers with issues and requests.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for knowledge-based articles and update them as required.
• Write, submit, and track tickets for the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tool.
• Drive new program stand-up actions.
• Provide manufacturing support for CPLM, SAP, and MES software.
• Conduct software enhancement request meetings with users and drive actions to completion.
• Develop and maintain metrics gathering and reporting for MBM tools and software.
• Support MBM staffing plans and coordination with programs.
• Assist with software training updates and testing as required.
• Apply manufacturing expertise to guide engineering design for optimal producibility.
• Conduct tool design reviews to ensure feasibility and minimize assembly build time and cost.
• Identify manufacturing processes and specialty tooling to improve efficiency, quality, and ergonomics.
• Define production build sequences, investigate nonconformance, and implement corrective actions and producibility improvements.
• Provide liaison support to Engineering and influence design for low-cost integrated assembly across electrical, hydraulic, fuel, fluid, and propulsion systems.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position.
• Vice President or Director employees may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior