Industrial Controls Engineer/Principal Industrial Controls Engineer
Northrop Grumman Corp. (AU)
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Northrop Grumman Corp. in the United States seeks an Electrical Controls Engineer for Advanced Manufacturing within Mission Systems to design, implement, and harden automation ecosystems across PLCs, HMIs, edge gateways, and data analytics.
The role blends classic control engineering with industrial networking, AI-enabled optimization, and DevSecOps to create resilient automation platforms across our global footprint. Strong emphasis on safety, dashboards, and vendor coordination.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related STEM field and 2+ years of relevant professional experience, or a Master's degree with 1+ year of experience.
- Experience with IEC 61131-3 PLC programming (ladder logic, function block diagram, structured text).
- Machine vision systems and barcode readers (Cognex/Keyence).
- Fanuc robotics systems and Fanuc Vision applications.
- Sensors for environment, motion, measurement and presence (Banner, Sick, Allen-Bradley, Keyence, Omron).
- Programming and hardware architecture of Siemens Controls, HMI environments.
- Building and implementing Manufacturing Dashboards to improve production performance.
- Experience with RIA TR R15.406-2014 and OSHA safety standards.
- Experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications.
- Programming: Python 3.x, C++14/17, JavaScript/Node, Bash/PowerShell, MATLAB/Simulink.
- Electrical Design: AutoCAD electrical, Panel Wiring, IO.
- MS Office proficiency.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret Security Clearance.
- US Citizenship is required.
Responsibilities
- Lead troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance on PLCs, material handling equipment, and robotics.
- Edit Siemens Step 7, OMRON, Beckhoff, and Allen Bradley controllers and architecture.
- Improve FANUC robotics software/hardware.
- Modernize PLC programming per specifications (IEC 61131-3).
- Review installation layouts and electrical drawings.
- Design control/electrical panels integrated with conveyors and robotics.
- In-house and vendor-site testing of control components.
- Assist with panel wiring and mechanical assembly to meet schedules.
- Provide status reports to management and project engineers.
- Identify electrical/mechanical failures in production equipment.
- Maintain equipment-monitoring systems for uptime and quality.
- Recommend improvements for automation and machine-vision systems.
- Develop/validate automation and data transfer systems.
- Create training materials and train new personnel.
- Collaborate with vendors and ensure safety standards.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time
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's Mission Systems is seeking an Electrical Controls Engineer for Advanced Manufacturing. This position focuses on automation control and robotic systems used in electronics and mechanical manufacturing, assembly, and packaging.
Researches, develops, designs, and tests electrical components, equipment, systems, and networks. Designs electrical equipment, facilities, components, products, and systems for commercial, industrial, and domestic purposes.
Architect, implement, and harden the digital backbone that connects PLCs, HMIs, edge gateways, and data analytics across our global manufacturing footprint. The job blends classic control engineering with industrial networking, AI enabled optimization, edge computing, and DevSecOps to create resilient, observable, and secure automation ecosystems.
You will be part of the Manufacturing Automation and Controls team that is pursuing sector Automation and Industry 4.0/Digital Thread efforts. This includes interfacing with the teams developing the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system, Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and our Plant Connectivity and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) infrastructure.
You will use your innovation and creativity to design automation solutions that will revolutionize manufacturing execution and have a sector level impact.
Lead troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance activities on PLC, material handling equipment, and robotics
Troubleshooting & editing Siemens Step 7 (Siemens PLC's), OMRON, Beckhoff, and Allen Bradley controllers and (Tag) architecture
Programming Improvements in FANUC Robotics hardware/software systems
Execute modernizations, extensions, and modifications according to specifications and/or sketches of electrical drawings. If necessary, adjust PLC programming and utilize PLC to troubleshoot issues (IEC 61131-3)
Reviews installation layouts, mechanical prints and electrical schematic drawings.
Design of control/electrical panel layouts with tight integrations to custom equipment, conveyors and robotics.
Performs in-house testing on control components and systems. Performs equipment tests at vendor site as needed.
Assists with panel wiring and mechanical assembly to meet project schedules
Provides manager and lead project engineer with timely status reports of projects.
Identify and analyze errors and malfunctions as they relate to the items below: Intermittent/inconsistent electrical and mechanical failures on production equipment PLC's, 24v control circuits, 480v 3phase systems, 4-20ma circuits, VFD's, PC controllers, and fieldbus technology/control technology
Developing and evaluating vendor equipment statement of work, quotes, design, installation, and facility testing to meet Mission Systems Automation and Enterprise Software Platform (PLM/ERP/MES/Mfg. Bus) requirements
Review of machine vision systems (Equip. And Software) in multiple configurations in production environments for higher volume products to identify and implement automation opportunities
Maintain equipment-monitoring systems for machine uptime, efficiency, quality, process stability and capability.
Recommend and implement controls, sensors, electromechanical and/or automation improvements for manufacturing & Machine Vision automation systems.
Development, validation, and maintenance of automation and controls systems equipment, programming, and data transfer systems
Creating new training materials and teaching new personnel on training materials
Solving manufacturing problems related to sensors, robots, motion, vision, equipment, data in a timely manner
Working with vendors, managing electrical Controls projects, and ensuring systems meet safety standards and regulations
Supporting/Cross Training factory technicians and maintenance personnel with the troubleshooting and repair of process equipment.
The chosen candidate must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; be able to multi-task in a fast-paced, dynamic, and high visibility environment; and work well as part of a team.
This requisition may be filled as an Industrial Controls Engineer or a Principal Industrial Controls Engineer based on the qualifications listed below.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or other related STEM area and at least 2+ years of relevant professional experience- OR - a Master's degree in a STEM area and at least 1 year of relevant professional experience .
Experience with programming PLC's per IEC 61131-3 (Examples: ladder logic, function block diagram and structured text)
Experience with machine vision systems and barcode readers (Cognex/Keyence)
Experience with Fanuc robotics systems and Fanuc Vision applications
Experience with varying process sensors for environment, motion, measurement and presence (Banner, Sick, Allen-Bradley, Keyence, Omron)
Experience with programming and hardware architecture of Siemens Controls, HMI environments.
Experience with building and implementing Manufacturing Dashboards (data digestion) to improve production performance and efficiency
Experience with RIA TR R15.406-2014 and OSHA equipment safety standards
Experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications
Experience with Programming: Python 3.x (pandas, NumPy, async), C++ (14/17), JavaScript/Node for edge services, Bash/PowerShell, MATLAB/Simulink for algorithm prototyping
Electrical Design: AutoCAD electrical, Panel Wiring, IO
Fluency in MS Office software applications
Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret Security Clearance
US Citizenship is required
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or other related STEM area and at least 5+ years of relevant professional experience- OR - a Master's degree in a STEM area and at least 3+ year of relevant professional experience .
Experience with programming PLC's per IEC 61131-3 (Examples: ladder logic, function block diagram and structured text)
Experience with machine vision systems and barcode readers (Cognex/Keyence)
Experience with Fanuc robotics systems and Fanuc Vision applications
Experience with varying process sensors for environment, motion, measurement and presence (Banner, Sick, Allen-Bradley, Keyence, Omron)
Experience with programming and hardware architecture of Siemens Controls, HMI environments.
Experience with building and implementing Manufacturing Dashboards (data digestion) to improve production performance and efficiency
Experience with RIA TR R15.406-2014 and OSHA equipment safety standards
Experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications
Experience with Programming: Python 3.x (pandas, NumPy, async), C++ (14/17), JavaScript/Node for edge services, Bash/PowerShell, MATLAB/Simulink for algorithm prototyping
Electrical Design: AutoCAD electrical, Panel Wiring, IO
Fluency in MS Office software applications
Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret Security Clearance
US Citizenship is required
Experience with RIA TR R15.406-2014 and OSHA equipment safety standards
Experience with electronic electrostatic discharge (ESD) and contamination damage
Experience with networking supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), controllers and servers via Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus or equivalent Fieldbus protocols
Experience with programming and hardware architecture of networking processes such as Manufacturing Service Bus Integration (Kepware, PAC), MES integration, IIoT 4.0 communications (CFX) and/or "Edge Computing"
Experience with Ignition SCADA experience
Experience with RF TEST systems automation using MATLAB
Cybersecurity: IEC 62443, NIST 80053, TLS/PKI, VPN/IPSec, firewalls, IDS/IPS, firmware integrity checking, security audit tools.
Data & SCADA: Historian (OSIsoft PI, Wonderware Historian), realtime analytics, OPCUA server/client development.
Electronic component manufacturing
Experience with materials removal and dispense automation systems
Primary Level Salary Range: $87,600.00 - $131,400.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00
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
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