Principal Facilities Engineer

About the Role

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) is seeking a Principal Facilities Engineer (Level 3). The selected candidate will be responsible for the design, maintenance, reliability and continuous improvement of manufacturing and operational equipment/infrastructure. This role ensures equipment operates safely, efficiently and with minimal downtime while supporting production goals, quality standards and cost objectives.

Responsibilities

• Interact with maintenance technicians to troubleshoot issues; serve as a subject matter expert on Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Automation/Controls.
• Support project engineers by reviewing plans for new builds and modifications to existing infrastructure, ensuring commonality and compatibility with existing equipment/infrastructure, maintainability, and suitability for the stated need and environment.
• Maintain and improve equipment reliability and performance.
• Collaborate with maintenance, production, and quality teams to optimize processes.
• Schedule contractors and prepare statements of work (SOW).
• Take ownership of equipment, including developing preventive maintenance (PM) plans and identifying/maintaining critical spare parts.
• Create and execute Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA).
• Conduct Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and equipment health/risk assessments.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills in managing time, projects, and resources.
• Develop and implement machine monitoring strategies to support reliability-centered maintenance, predicting machine failures before they occur using vibration, temperature, and other variable analysis.
• Ensure all equipment performs optimally and maintains a high level of uptime.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in a cross-functional environment.
• Aid in developing standard specifications for future equipment purchases.
• Check design deliverables in accordance with industry codes and standards, contract requirements, and company standards (e.g., ASME, NFPA).
• Prepare training documents and standard operating procedures (SOPs) pertaining to facilities, processes, and equipment.
• Support operations integrated product teams (IPTs).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years of relevant experience; OR Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of relevant experience; OR PhD in a STEM discipline with 1 year of relevant experience.
• Experience in one of the following areas: Power Systems, Power, Electrical, Electronics, Construction, Mechanical Design, Engineering, Design, Facilities, Operations, and/or Aerospace.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government Secret Clearance within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Program Access within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Experience with programming (Ladder logic, structured text, function block diagram, etc.) temperature/pressure control loops.
• Experience with Autoclaves.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with composite production equipment such as 5-axis machining centers, Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) systems, automatic ultrasonic scanning systems, paint booths, ovens.
• Experience supporting high-rate manufacturing facilities from a maintenance function.
• Experience electrical controls and 24-volt systems.
• Experience with variety of controllers (Rexroth, Fanuc, Allen Bradley, ABB, Honeywell, Siemens, etc.) and I/O troubleshooting.
• Experience with VFDs as well as servo-controlled systems.
• Experience with Industrial IoT technology.
• Experience with Building Automation Systems (Trane Tracer, Tridium, etc.).
• Experience with maintenance management systems (CMMS/CAFM), including Maximo and work order tracking.
• Interpret building and utility drawings and make the revisions as required.
• Experience with boilers and air compressors.
• Experience with large commercial air handling equipment.
• Experience with large refrigerant-based cooling equipment.
• Experience with large-scale electrical infrastructure, to include primary utility power, transformers and power distribution gear, Uninterruptable Power Supply, Diesel Generators, 400Hz power.

Location: El Segundo, CA 90245 • Duration: 12 months contract with potential extension • Shift: 9x80 • Payrate: $88.50/hr. on W2 • Visa: US Citizens only