Principal or Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp. (JP); Waynesboro (VA); On-site; USD 89,400 - 134,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Education Assistance

Training and Development

9/80 Work Schedule

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Corp. (JP) is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer or Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer. The role involves designing and enhancing manufacturing operations, focusing on efficiency and safety. Candidates should hold a bachelor's degree in a STEM field and possess relevant experience in manufacturing.

The position is based in Waynesboro, Virginia, and requires US citizenship along with the ability to obtain a Secret level security clearance. Northrop Grumman offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or production for Principal role; 8+ years for Senior role.
• Ability to develop digital work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and improve manufacturing operations.
• Collaborate on equipment functionality and operational readiness.
• Develop and implement shop floor digital solutions.

Skills

Digital work instruction

Manufacturing process improvement

MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

CAD software

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

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.

At the heart of who we are, Northrop Grumman is a leading American manufacturing company delivering advanced technologies in support of national security. Our manufacturing operations in Waynesboro, Virginia support production of advanced electronics, radar, and communication systems within our broader portfolio of defense capabilities. Our teams work collaboratively to ensure manufacturing excellence, production readiness, and continuous improvement across programs.

We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Manufacturing Engineer or a Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer to support production and manufacturing operations at our Central Virginia manufacturing facilities.

What You’ll Get to Do:

As a hands‑on Manufacturing Engineer you will design, implement, and improve work instruction and manufacturing operations in our Assembly cells, engaging digital tools to streamline operations and manufacturing sequences. You will collaborate with peers, assemblers, and technicians to ensure operational readiness.

Knowledge of equipment functionality and capability are paramount as you support metric driven decisions on operations and maintenance KPI’s. You will support day‑to‑day production while developing and implementing process improvements and supporting equipment troubleshooting and maintenance activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing by developing processes and methodologies with a focus on safety, yields, cost, and process stability and capability.
• Provide ROI justification for process improvements and equipment purchases.
• Develop and implement shop floor digital solutions for PM and Operations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders when troubleshooting and developing failure mode corrective actions.
• Develop digital work instructions for manufacturing and maintenance tasks.

We are looking for candidates who thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment, possess excellent communication skills, and have a passion for innovation and teamwork.

This position is contingent upon proposal/task award.

This requisition may be filled as a Principal Manufacturing Engineer or a Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer based on the qualifications below.

#MPR

Basic Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Engineer

• Bachelor's degree or higher in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in manufacturing or production. Candidates with a Master's degree only require a minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing or production.
• Experience developing digital work instruction for complete processes or assemblies
• Experience in MS Office software applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret level security clearance
• US Citizenship is required.

Basic Qualifications for the Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer

• Bachelor's degree or higher in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in manufacturing or production. Candidates with a Master's degree only require a minimum of 6 years of experience in manufacturing or production.
• Experience developing digital work instruction for complete processes or assemblies
• Experience in MS Office software applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret level security clearance
• US Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, or automation engineering
• Active Secret clearance
• Experience with antenna and electronic warfare assemblies
• DFM/DFA experience
• Experience with equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
• Experience in automation systems and experience in production environments
• CAD modeling experience
• Experience with PLCs and automation solutions
• Six Sigma certification and proficiency in applied statistics
• Demonstrated experience using artificial intelligence to accelerate effective process development

What We Can Offer You

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Primary Level Salary Range: $89,400.00 - $134,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $111,700.00 - $167,500.00

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