Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer/Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU); Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 83,400 - 155,400; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems in Palmdale, CA is seeking Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer or Principal Manufacturing Engineer to join the Manufacturing Engineering Team. The role focuses on developing and applying advanced automation to improve efficiency, cost, and quality across production lines.

The positions require a relevant degree with experience in machining, composites, automation, and process instructions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in production/manufacturing related field with 1 year experience or Master’s with 0 years experience in production assembly / fabrication.
• Experience supporting manufacturing / production operations with understanding of processes.
• Experience in machining, robotics, or numerical control programming.
• Experience in composites, automation, heating systems or coatings application.
• Experience in reading Process Work Instructions (PWI) and creating training materials.
• Experience interpreting Blueprints and 3‑D models.
• Experience with system requirements development, acceptance testing and training.
• Hands‑on experience in a production assembly line environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook.
• Ability to interface with leadership, engineering, production, customers, and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to Engineering regarding design concepts to ensure best manufacturing technique.
• Participate in tool design reviews to reduce build times and program costs during assembly.
• Define operation sequences for product builds and initiate corrective actions for non‑conforming product.

Skills

Manufacturing operations

Machining / robotics / CNC

Composites / Automation

PWI / Work instructions

Blueprints / 3D models

Office suite (Word/PowerPoint/Excel/\u

Communication with leadership

Security clearance (Secret/Top Secret)

Shift flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s Degree with 1 year related experience in production assembly / fabrication including composites, machining, coatings application, or production manufacturing operations

Master’s degree with 0 years of related experience in production assembly / fabrication including composites, machining, coatings application, or production manufacturing operations

Tools

NX Siemens

CATIA

SolidWorks

MS Office / ERP systems

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they’re making history.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an opening for an Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer or Advanced Automation Principal Manufacturing Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located at Palmdale, CA Center of Excellence where technology and teamwork come together. The qualified applicant will become part of Northrop Grumman's Manufacturing Engineering Team working in a collaborative environment while promoting a positive and proactive teamwork environment.

Advanced Automation Manufacturing job duties involve the following:

• Provide guidance to Engineering regarding design concepts to ensure the best manufacturing technique is being used to meet the Engineering design
• Participate in tool design reviews to ensure tools are feasible and reduce build times and program costs during assembly
• Define sequence of operations for product builds, investigate and initiate corrective actions and improvements that involve non-conforming product and identify improvement opportunities in areas that require producibility and affordability initiatives

As a member of the Automation Manufacturing Engineering team, you will define, develop, implement, and transition new technology solutions to manufacturing to increase efficiency, reduce cost, and improve quality. Manufacturing concept and process solutions for production applications cover advanced technologies including but not limited to composites fabrication, assembly, automation, inspection, direct part manufacturing, survivability technologies, as well as digital capabilities. The role requires incorporation of requirements into development plans and evaluation of performance of processes and tools to verify their efficiency. In addition, you will identify and initiate corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure technical, schedule, and cost objectives are met, and product quality is maintained. In this role, you will provide guidance regarding design concepts, directly support, and ensure the successful implementation of new solution capabilities released to production, and specification requirements to best utilize resources and manufacturing techniques. This role involves interfacing with internal and external customers, program offices, engineering disciplines, executive management and requires the ability to handle multiple projects concurrently in a dynamic/fast-paced work environment.

Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineers for Aeronautics Systems are expected to provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex and difficult problems. They are problem solvers who can provide results that are innovative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives. We seek Manufacturing Engineers that use a unique skill set that includes a hands‑on approach and support as the technical representative voice for the Manufacturing organization.

Basic Qualifications for Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer:

• Bachelor’s Degree with 1 year or Master’s degree with 0 years of related experience in production assembly / fabrication including composites, machining, coatings application, or production manufacturing operations
• Experience supporting manufacturing / production operations with an understanding of manufacturing processes and procedures
• Experience in machining, robotics, or numerical control programming
• Experience in composites, automation, heating systems or coatings application
• Experience working or knowledge of Process Work Instructions (PWI)
• Experience in creating work instructions, training materials & visual aids
• Experience reviewing and interpreting Blueprints and 3‑D models
• Experience in system requirements development, acceptance testing and training
• Experience working hands‑on in a production assembly line environment
• Experience in troubleshooting systems, and root cause and corrective action analysis
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook
• Ability to interface / communicate with multiple levels of leadership, engineering, production, customers, and suppliers
• Active in‑scope U.S. Government Secret / Top Secret security clearance that has been granted / renewed within the past 5 years
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
• Ability to work 1st shift, or 2nd shift and any work schedule (times may vary)

Basic Qualifications for Advanced Automation Principal Manufacturing Engineer:

• Bachelor’s Degree with 4 years or Master’s degree with 3 years or PhD degree with 0 years of related experience in production assembly / fabrication including composites, machining, coatings application, or production manufacturing operations
• Experience supporting manufacturing / production operations with an understanding of manufacturing processes and procedures
• Experience in machining, robotics, or numerical control programming
• Experience in composites, automation, heating systems or coatings application
• Experience working or knowledge of Process Work Instructions (PWI)
• Experience in creating work instructions, training materials & visual aids
• Experience reviewing and interpreting Blueprints and 3‑D models
• Experience in system requirements development, acceptance testing and training
• Experience working hands‑on in a production assembly line environment
• Experience in troubleshooting systems, and root cause and corrective action analysis
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook
• Ability to interface / communicate with multiple levels of leadership, engineering, production, customers, and suppliers
• Active in‑scope U.S. Government Secret / Top Secret security clearance that has been granted / renewed within the past 5 years
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
• Ability to work 1st shift, or 2nd shift and any work schedule (times may vary)

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
• Experience in project management and execution (proposal creation, scheduling, budget tracking)
• Experience in Manufacturing Execution System and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
• Experience in solid modeling design using NX Siemens, CATIA or Solid Works
• Experience providing innovative techniques focused on improving product designs and tooling assemblies or equipment
• Experience in using Microsoft Office Project, Visio, SharePoint
• Experience in Transition to Production activities
• Active in‑scope Special Program Access clearance preferred

Primary Level Salary Range: $83,400.00 - $125,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate’s experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Job Category: Engineering