Manufacturing Leadership Program Engineer - Class of 2027

General Dynamics Mission Systems has openings for a Manufacturing Leadership Program (MLP) Engineer – Class of 2027 to join our team in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This position provides an opportunity to develop and advance the manufacturing and engineering capabilities that support some of our nation’s most critical defense missions.

About the role

Employees work closely with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and produce advanced technology solutions that enable high-stakes national security operations. The Manufacturing Leadership Program is a three-year rotational development program designed to build future technical and operational leaders. Participants gain hands-on experience across manufacturing engineering, production operations, quality engineering, and related technical functions while developing leadership and business acumen.

In addition to a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, MLP Engineers pursue a company-sponsored Master’s degree which is required for program completion.

Manufacturing Leadership Program Overview

The MLP is a three-year rotational program consisting of six six-month rotations. Engineers will gain exposure across manufacturing operations, process engineering, quality engineering, production support, and other technical disciplines. Participants develop deep expertise in manufacturing systems, production processes, and continuous improvement methodologies while building the foundation for technical leadership roles.

Participants will also gain a foundational understanding of supply chain and operations flow. This includes exposure to planning, material flow, and cross-functional coordination with supply chain and procurement teams to ensure alignment between engineering decisions and end-to-end operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Developing and improving manufacturing performance and product delivery through technical problem-solving and process optimization
• Developing and improving manufacturing processes, methods, and tooling
• Supporting production readiness, capacity planning, and process validation
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma principles
• Analyzing production data to identify yield, quality, and efficiency improvements
• Supporting introduction of new products and technologies into manufacturing environments
• Collaborating with engineering, quality, and operations teams to resolve technical issues
• Estimating manufacturing costs and supporting make/buy and process decisions
• Identifying opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance
• Supporting root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
• Identifying opportunities to apply AI and data-driven tools for continuous improvement

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field is required
• Department of Defense secret security clearance is preferred at time of hire
• Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information
• Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required

Qualifications

• Required GPA 3.2 minimum (3.6 preferred)
• Demonstrated leadership experience
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• High motivation and initiative
• Interest in manufacturing systems, engineering, and operational excellence

Benefits

• Company-sponsored Master’s degree
• Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work (9/80 schedule)
• 401k matching
• Flex time off
• Paid parental leave
• Healthcare benefits
• Health & wellness programs
• Employee resource and social groups

Pay

Target salary range: USD $77,843.00/Yr. - USD $86,358.00/Yr. This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary.

Schedule

This position is fully onsite and located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Flexible work environment with a 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off).