Principal Controls Engineer

0903 SP - Propulsion Systems; United States; On-site; USD 79,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems seeks a Principal/Energetics Manufacturing Engineer to join the Tooling and Facilities Engineering team at Promontory, UT. This role focuses on programming, integration, and optimization of control systems for manufacturing processes.

Level 2/3 engineers collaborate with Electrical Design and Controls teams, develop safe control software, and support plant operations while pursuing efficiency gains and robust documentation.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering or STEM with minimum 2 years of technical experience; or MS with 0 years of experience.
• For Level 3, BS with 5+ years of experience or MS with 3+ years.
• Demonstrated ability to program PLCs, VFDs, Servo, and HMI systems (prefer Allen Bradley).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Integrate equipment for robotics, PLCs, servo drives, VFDs, sensors, and instrumentation.
• Program PLCs to control processes, tools, and robotics (Allen‑Bradley preferred).
• Develop and maintain HMI applications for safe and efficient operations.
• Configure VFDs and servos for motor control applications.
• Provide production line support and troubleshoot controls issues.
• Coordinate with Electrical Design and Controls Engineers on upgrades.

Skills

Control processes

PLC & HMI systems

Team collaboration

Strong communication

Security clearance

Self supervision

Education

BS in Engineering or STEM

MS in Engineering

Tools

Allen Bradley PLC

Beckhoff PLC

HMI programming

FANUC robotics

LabVIEW

Python

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: None TRAVEL: No

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, Space Systems, is currently seeking a Principal/ Energetics Manufacturing Engineer - Level 2/3 also known as Controls Engineer - 2/3 to support our Tooling and Facilities Engineering team at the Promontory Utah facility.

Responsibilities

• Programming & Integration
  • Integrate equipment for robotics, PLCs, servo drives, VFDs, sensors, and other instrumentation.
  • Program Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) to control a variety of processes, machine tools, and robotics (Allen‑Bradley preferred).
  • Develop and maintain HMI applications to support safe and efficient operations.
  • Program variable frequency drives (VFDs) and servos for a wide range of motor control applications.
  • Verify functionality and safety of new and modified control programs prior to implementation.
  • Contribute to and follow programming standards, best practices, and the company software development lifecycle.
  • Develop and maintain accurate documentation for supported equipment.
  • Work as part of a team with Electrical Design and Controls Engineers on upgrades and new control systems.
• Production Support & Troubleshooting
  • Provide line stoppage support for PLC‑controlled and other automated processes.
  • Work with Maintenance, Operations, and other Engineers to troubleshoot and resolve equipment and controls issues.
  • Support various plant control systems (e.g., presses, autoclaves, mixers), including troubleshooting, reprogramming, and implementing software enhancements in support of Operations.
• Networking & Cybersecurity
  • Manage upgrades to process‑related computers and industrial PCs.
  • Implement secure network connections to manufacturing equipment in coordination with IT/cyber teams.
  • Apply basic networking concepts (e.g., VLANs, firewall rules) to support reliable and secure industrial control systems.

Basic Qualifications for Level 2 Engineer

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or STEM discipline plus a minimum of 2 years of technical experience.
• - OR - Master's degree with 0 years of experience.
• Strong desire to work with control processes.
• Demonstrated understanding of PLC & HMI systems and programming; Prefer Allen Bradley.
• Able to perform basic PLC programming functions with minimal supervision.
• A desire to support and improve Manufacturing processes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3 Engineer

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering plus a minimum of 5 years of experience in Controls Engineering – OR – Master’s of Science Degree in Engineering plus a minimum of 3 years of technical experience.
• Strong desire to work with control processes.
• Demonstrated ability to program PLC’s, VFD’s, Servo’s & HMI’s; Prefer Allen Bradley.
• Demonstrated ability to take lead role on programming projects.
• A desire to support and improve Manufacturing processes.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance.
• Ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Programming Allen Bradley Logix 5000 / Studio Allen Bradley Factory Talk View (SE & ME)
• FANUC robot programming
• Python
• LabView
• Ignition
• Hardware Knowledge of Allen Bradley PLC platform(s)
• Knowledge of basic sensors, contactors, relays, VFD, Servo, etc…
• Knowledge of Beckhoff PLC platform(s)
• Networking skills
• VLAN
• Firewall rules
• Troubleshooting

Salary

Primary Level Salary Range: $79,300.00 - $118,900.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00 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.

Benefits

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.

Application Period

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.

Equal Opportunity and Citizenship

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.

Company Summary

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.