Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer 4

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history—from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage, and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing your whole self to work. We have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

We’re looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. By joining our shared mission, you’ll support your own goals of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field or an industry thought-leader.

This role supports the AARGM program. The AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system and the most advanced system for pilots against today’s modern surface-to-air threats. It is able to rapidly engage land- and sea-based air-defense threats, as well as striking time-sensitive targets.

Responsibilities

• Process Development:
  • Lead the development, review, standardization, and continuous improvement of manufacturing process documentation and MES instructions to ensure compliance, configuration control, production readiness, and operational efficiency.
  • Drive manufacturing documentation strategy and governance across production and sustainment operations, ensuring processes align with engineering requirements, quality standards, and program execution objectives.
  • Support rapid implementation of engineering changes, corrective actions, and process improvements while maintaining configuration accuracy and manufacturing compliance.
  • Coordinate cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Test, Production, and Program Management to ensure manufacturing documentation supports efficient execution, troubleshooting, and schedule recovery.
  • Lead manufacturing process improvement and operations execution strategies to support quality, efficiency, affordability, and production readiness.
• Factory Support:
  • Lead manufacturing execution and operational improvement initiatives supporting production yield, process stability, affordability, and schedule performance.
  • Provide technical leadership and manufacturing execution support to production operations and cross-functional teams.
  • Lead continuous improvement, corrective action, and risk mitigation activities to improve manufacturing efficiency, quality, and operational performance.
  • Mentor and support manufacturing personnel through process guidance, operational support, and manufacturing best practices.
  • Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to support manufacturing readiness and operational execution.
  • Support high-visibility production builds, troubleshooting efforts, and schedule recovery initiatives in fast-paced operational environments.
  • Support RCCA and non-conformance resolution implementation in coordination with quality and engineering teams.
  • Provide technical mentorship and leadership to junior manufacturing engineers and cross-functional personnel.
• Design Support:
  • Provide manufacturing expertise and producibility guidance to support design maturity, producibility, and production readiness.
  • Develop and communicate manufacturing capabilities, process constraints, and producibility requirements to cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Lead and support cross-functional producibility reviews for new and existing productions to ensure manufacturing readiness and operational success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree + 8 years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + 6 years of relevant experience. 12 years of experience are required in lieu of a degree.
• Knowledge of IPC Standards.
• Experience using Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) Software for routings of manufacturing orders.
• Experience with Material Review Board (MRB) activity, such as collaborating with cross-functional teams to process hardware.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Pay

The primary salary range for this role is $129,300.00 - $193,900.00. The above range represents a general guideline; Northrop Grumman considers factors such as scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills, and current market conditions when determining base salary offers. Depending on the position, employees may also be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are 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.

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.