Staff Automation Engineer: Energetics & Propulsion

Northrop Grumman; Elkton (MD); On-site; USD 169,000 - 254,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Annual bonus

Health insurance

PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff-level Manufacturing Engineer in Elkton, MD, focused on industrial automation for solid-propellant propulsion systems. The role leads design, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing processes, with emphasis on safety, quality, and cost objectives.

The team collaborates across Operations, Quality, EH&S, Facilities, and Supply Chain. Candidates should have a strong background in automation, Lean/CI, and ERP/MRP integration, plus U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, or related) with extensive experience.
• Experience leading automation-focused projects in manufacturing.
• Experience applying Lean/CI tools to automated or process-intensive operations.
• Experience with SPC/DOE and RCCA.
• Ability to work under consultative direction and drive cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical leader for automated manufacturing of energetic materials and related assemblies, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Design and optimize automated manufacturing processes and equipment layouts.
• Develop, launch, and qualify new or upgraded automated production lines with robotics, controls, and materials handling; lead FAT/SAT and commissioning.
• Define operations sequences, process parameters, and quality plans with ERP/MRP integration.
• Collaborate with Hazards Analysis, EH&S, and cross-functional teams to mitigate safety risks.
• Lead Lean, continuous-improvement, and data-driven optimization to increase throughput and reduce waste.
• Provide training and act as technical advisor; lead cross-functional investigations (RCCA, PFMEA).

Skills

Automation leadership

Lean/continuous improvement

Statistical methods (SPC/DOE)

Cross-functional collaboration

RCCA investigations

ERP/MRP systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree

PhD (optional)

Tools

ERP/MRP

Job description

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff-level Manufacturing Engineer in Elkton, MD, focused on industrial automation for solid-propellant propulsion systems. The role leads design, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing processes, with emphasis on safety, quality, and cost objectives.

The team collaborates across Operations, Quality, EH&S, Facilities, and Supply Chain. Candidates should have a strong background in automation, Lean/CI, and ERP/MRP integration, plus U.S.