Principal/Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer

About the role

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Principal or Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer to support production and manufacturing operations in Charlottesville, VA. The position reports to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager and works on manufacturing programs at the site.

Relocation assistance: No relocation assistance available

Clearance required: Secret (U.S. Citizenship required)

Travel: Yes, up to 10% of the time, including supplier visits.

Responsibilities

• Design manufacturing processes, procedures, and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, and material handling for wire harnesses.
• Design sequences of operations and specify procedures for fabricating parts, tools, equipment, and other functions affecting product performance.
• Adapt machine or equipment designs to factory and production conditions.
• Incorporate inspection and test requirements into production plans.
• Inspect performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify efficiency.
• Investigate, initiate, and execute solutions to ensure product quality.
• Develop manufacturing processes applicable to statistical process control.
• Provide guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques.
• Ensure processes and procedures comply with regulations.
• Interface directly with assemblers, cell supervisors, and other operations personnel.
• Assess manufacturing engineering processes and procedures.
• Drive affordability through monitoring of budget (time) and spend.
• Travel to suppliers as required to achieve positive outcomes.
• Foster a collaborative culture that sustains momentum around engagement, problem solving, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a strong voice for Manufacturing Engineering and a role model for Northrop Grumman values.

Basic Qualifications

• Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
  • Experience with wire harnesses, connectors, assembling, solder irons, crimping tools, hand tools, solder pots, and troubleshooting.
  • Proficiency with lab tools such as multimeters and low‑bandwidth oscilloscopes for PCB modification and repair.
  • Ability to read and interpret wiring schematics, technical drawings, GD&T, blueprints, and specifications.
  • CAD experience.
  • Experience supporting, teaching, and assisting shop‑floor assemblers and operators.
  • Experience estimating build, set‑up, and run times for cost and production planning.
  • Knowledge of LEAN manufacturing principles.
  • Experience with Corrective Action Requests (CAR) and ability to resolve them.
  • On‑site work starting at 6:00 AM to align with operator schedules.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
  • U.S. citizenship required.
• Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with at least 8 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience.
  • All experience items listed for the Principal level (wire harnesses, lab tools, schematics, CAD, shop‑floor support, GD&T, LEAN, CAR, 6:00 AM start, Secret clearance, U.S. citizenship).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management System certification.
• Experience supporting and consulting on PCB design reviews and builds for efficiency and defect‑free production.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, or a Master’s in an engineering field.
• Experience with subassembly and final assembly build structures.
• IPC 610/620 certification.
• Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt.
• Experience facilitating Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) activities.
• Experience auditing and improving manufacturing processes.
• Defense industry experience.
• Experience with Model‑Based Engineering.
• SAP Business System experience.
• Software proficiency: MPLM, NX, and AutoCAD.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health plan.
• Savings plan.
• Paid time off (vacation, personal business, company holidays).
• Education assistance.
• Training and development programs.
• 9/80 work schedule where available.
• Additional benefits such as life and disability insurance.

Pay

Primary Level Salary Range: $89,400 – $134,200

Secondary Level Salary Range: $111,700 – $167,500

Compensation may include overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and long‑term incentives for eligible positions. Salary offers consider scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills, and market conditions.