Materials and Process Engineer 3/4

0090 CORP-Corporate Office; United States; On-site; USD 103,600 - 193,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking an M&P Engineer to help define material and manufacturing requirements for high‑reliability aerospace products. You will qualify materials, review supplier capabilities, and support design reviews while ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations.

The role requires an active US Government Secret Clearance, onsite work in Woodland Hills, and a background in metallurgy, testing, and failure analysis.

Qualifications

• 5 years of Engineering experience with a Bachelor’s of Science in a STEM discipline preferrable in Materials Science and Engineering; 3 years of Material Science and Engineering experience with Masters; 1 Year with a PhD Engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or high‑reliability manufacturing environments
• Practical knowledge of metallurgy for ferrous and nonferrous alloys, heat treatment basics, corrosion/fatigue fundamentals, and common materials testing methods
• Hands‑on exposure to metallographic sample preparation and basic lab techniques (cutting, polishing, etching, hardness)
• 2+ years of manufacturing processes (machining, forging, forming, fastening, welding/brazing, plating/coating) and ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications related to metallic materials and processing
• Active US Government Secret Clearance
• Ability to work full‑time onsite in Woodland Hills
• This position is contingent upon clearance.

Responsibilities

• Define engineering requirements to develop, select, or recommend materials, processes, and manufacturing technologies
• Qualify new materials, parts, and processes to meet requirements and manage supplier test programs
• Support design reviews and participate in failure analyses for metallic parts and processes
• Assist in supplier qualification activities and respond to technical inquiries; escalate issues as needed
• Perform analyses to characterize performance and determine causes of failures; propose corrective actions
• Coordinate and support lab activities and compile test data for interpretation
• Use project management practices to meet cost, technical, and schedule requirements with EHS/LEAN/Quality integration
• Create and revise material/process specifications and test plans; ensure alignment with requirements
• Investigate non-conformances and supplier deviations; collect evidence and draft corrective actions
• Maintain engineering records and support configuration control and design reviews
• Communicate findings to cross-functional teams and stakeholders
• Frequent interaction with manufacturing floors, supplier facilities, and testing labs
• Occasional travel to supplier sites and Northrop Grumman locations; must comply with policies

Skills

Metallurgy knowledge

Materials testing

Lab techniques

Engineering drawings

US Clearance

Education

B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering

M.S. in Materials Science & Engineering

PhD in Materials Science

Tools

Metallography

Hardness testing

NDT/NDI

Heat treatment

Failure analysis

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available. CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes. 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.

Responsibilities

• As an M&P Engineer, you will support definition of engineering requirements to develop, select, or recommend parts, materials, processes, manufacturing technologies, machinery, tools, and automation systems used in product design and manufacturing in accordance with contractual and regulatory obligations
• Additionally, you will qualify new materials, parts and processes to meet requirements and manage test and audit programs to qualify suppliers to applicable requirements
• Support engineering design reviews and participate in failure analyses for metallic parts and processes
• Assist in supplier qualification activities and respond to routine supplier technical inquiries; elevate complex supplier or production issues to senior M&P engineers
• Perform analyses to characterize performance or determine causes of tool, material, part, or process failures; recommend corrective actions for senior review
• Coordinate and support lab activities (metallography, hardness, tensile, NDT/NDI) and compile test data for interpretation and disposition
• Use project management practices to meet cost, technical, and schedule requirements for assigned tasks while incorporating EHS, LEAN, and Quality principles into materials/process work, lab activities, and procedures
• Support creation and revision of material/process specifications, work instructions, and test plans; ensure alignment with Northrop Grumman and industry requirements
• Support investigations of non‑conformances and supplier deviations; collect evidence, perform basic root‑cause analysis, and draft corrective action recommendations
• Maintain engineering records (test reports, engineering orders) and support configuration control and design reviews as required
• Communicate technical findings clearly to cross‑functional teams and stakeholders
• Frequent interaction with manufacturing floors, supplier facilities, and testing laboratories
• Occasional travel to supplier sites, test facilities, and other Northrop Grumman locations may be required
• Must comply with Northrop Grumman security, health, and safety policies

Basic Qualifications

• 5 years of Engineering experience with a Bachelor’s of Science in a STEM discipline preferrable in Materials Science and Engineering; 3 years of Material Science and Engineering experience with Masters; 1 Year with a PhD Engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or high‑reliability manufacturing environments
• Practical knowledge of metallurgy for ferrous and nonferrous alloys, heat treatment basics, corrosion/fatigue fundamentals, and common materials testing methods
• Hands‑on exposure to metallographic sample preparation and basic lab techniques (cutting, polishing, etching, hardness)
• 2+ years of manufacturing processes (machining, forging, forming, fastening, welding/brazing, plating/coating) and ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications related to metallic materials and processing
• Active US Government Secret Clearance
• Ability to work full‑time onsite in Woodland Hills
• This position is contingent upon clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active US Government Top Secret Clearance
• Master’s degree in materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, metallurgical engineering, or polymer engineering
• PhD in material science or materials engineering
• Strong desire to mentor and grow employees
• Expert level first principle engineering knowledge of metals and materials
• Knowledge of physical and mechanical properties as well as evaluation methods (tensile strength, hardness, fatigue, fracture toughness, creep, stress rupture, SEM, non‑destructive inspection, spectroscopy)
• Detailed knowledge of one or more of the following production processes: forging, casting, forming, coating, plating, heat treating, fusion welding, friction stir welding, EB welding, additive manufacturing, and composite manufacturing
• Hands‑on experience in a high‑production manufacturing environment
• Experience with technical review of materials processing and a sound understanding of the interaction between process variables and the resulting material performance
• Demonstrated track record of success in a rapidly growing, fast‑paced, and highly competitive environment
• Personality and drive to execute in a scrappy entrepreneurial environment that operates under tight timelines and aggressive schedules
• Effective written and interpersonal communication skills
• Capable of interacting with and conveying concepts within all levels of our organization
• Strong academic foundation coupled with hands on experience

Salary & Benefits

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

Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00

Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, and for senior positions, long‑term incentives. Additional benefits include overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. Employees may also be eligible for annual bonuses; the schedule and amount are determined by the company.

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.