Energetics Manufacturing Engineer - level 3/4
About the Role
Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS&C) facility in Elkton, Maryland designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems for Government and commercial customers. The Principal / Sr. Principal Industrial Engineer analyzes and designs sequences of operations, workflows, and equipment layouts to drive efficiency, throughput, and producibility in plant and SRM production operations. This role establishes methods for maximum utilization of production facilities and personnel; leads continuous improvement activities; and uses data-driven tools and MES integration to eliminate bottlenecks, standardize processes/metrics, and sustain improvements. The position can rapidly grow into a CI/producibility champion and shop-systems expert.
Core Responsibilities
- Analyze and design sequences of operations, workflows, and equipment layouts (using VSM, line balancing, capacity/utilization analysis) to improve efficiency, throughput, and remove bottlenecks
- Establish methods and standards to maximize utilization of production facilities, equipment, and personnel, including manpower planning, skill matrices, recovery scheduling, and TPM/L2L maintenance concepts
- Conduct studies related to cost control, cost reduction, inventory control, quality improvement, and production record systems, and translate findings into practical, implementable solutions
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen/AIW, 5S/POU, standard work, TPM, RCCA/defect analysis) to improve safety, plan vs. actual performance, schedule adherence, quality yield, rework, and backlog
- Use CORE, Tableau, MES data, and simulation tools (e.g., FlexSim) to create visual shop metrics and drive data-based decisions, forecasting, and improvement roadmaps
- Develop and implement facility and operating method changes; support accident prevention and safety improvements
- Lead cross-functional workshops and training to standardize and sustain improvements across manufacturing, facilities, safety, quality, and supply chain
- Understand manufacturing systems architectures, and recommend/drive improvement efforts to streamline to help drive data driven decisions
Qualifications
Principal (Level 3) Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and at least 5 years of experience (or Master's degree and at least 3 years of experience)
- Ability to obtain a Secret clearance; US citizenship required
- Experience leading process mapping and optimization efforts
- Experience with work measurement and standard work methodologies
- Execution of Lean or Six-Sigma projects
Sr. Principal (Level 4) Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM and at least 8 years of experience (or Master's degree and at least 6 years of experience)
- Ability to obtain a Secret clearance; US citizenship required
- Experience leading multi-area or site-level process mapping and optimization efforts
- Leadership/mentorship of early career engineers
- Strategic execution of work measurements, standard work, and Lean or Six-Sigma initiatives
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering
- Active Secret or higher clearance
Pay
- Principal Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00
- Sr. Principal Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00
- Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay
- Annual bonuses designed to reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results
- Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Life and disability insurance
- Savings plan
- Company paid holidays
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business