Staff Engineer Manufacturing Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff Manufacturing Systems Engineer in Elkton, Maryland to lead manufacturing systems across MRl phases and collaborate with Facilities Engineering on production cell layout and utilities.

The role requires 12+ years in a STEM field, a Secret clearance, and proven ability to manage cost, schedule, and risk while driving automation and digital tooling adoption.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience with a STEM degree; advanced degrees reduce experience
• Secret clearance required; US citizenship
• Experience developing manufacturing system requirements and integrating equipment into facilities
• Experience managing cost, schedule, and technical risk in a matrixed environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication; interface with leadership

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing systems engineering activities supporting long-range strategic plans (munitions production acceleration, facilities upgrades)
• Develop and decompose manufacturing system and facility interface requirements aligned with safety, environmental, and regulatory needs
• Coordinate with Facilities Engineering on layout, utilities, and infrastructure for new/expanded production cells
• Oversee manufacturing systems integration across MRl phases from concept to production
• Lead proposals and SOWs covering manufacturing systems and facility scope
• Ensure verification, validation, and commissioning of solutions

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Cost/schedule/risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

MES

Process control systems

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.

Northrop Grumman is in need of a Staff Manufacturing Systems Engineer to work at its Elkton, Maryland facility.

Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS&C) facility in Elkton, Maryland began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the Elkton PS&C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems in programs professionally managed for a wide variety of Government and commercial customers. The facility also serves as the hub for offsite engineering and test facilities in Ronkonkoma, NY and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Elkton, Maryland is located on the Upper Chesapeake Bay, midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Discover charming small towns, parks with miles of trails, specialty and antique shops, award winning restaurants, and inns. You can hike, bike, camp, bird watch, ride horseback, or drop a fishing line. Five rivers, Chesapeake Bay and the C&D Canal can be explored by boat or by land. Experience panoramic views from Turkey Point Lighthouse on a bluff overlooking the Bay, or from the banks of the C&D Canal where ships from around the globe cruise.

https://www.ccgov.org/government/tourism

Duties

• Lead manufacturing systems engineering activities in support of business unit long range strategic plan including munitions production acceleration, facilities upgrades, and site expansion initiatives.
• Develop and decompose manufacturing system and facility interface requirements, ensuring alignment with program, safety, environmental, and regulatory needs.
• Partner closely with Facilities Engineering to:
  • Define facility utility, infrastructure, and layout needs (power, HVAC, gases, controls, material flow) for new/expanded production cells.
  • Support facility design reviews, construction readiness, and equipment “hook‑up” planning.
  • Coordinate production readiness for new/renovated spaces, including safety and commissioning activities.
• Perform technical planning, architecture definition, and integration of manufacturing systems (equipment, automation, process controls, digital tools) into existing and greenfield production facilities.
• Own projects across all Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) phases:
  • Concept development and trade studies (process, equipment, and facility concepts)
  • System and process design with facility integration considerations
  • Lab-level fabrication/assembly/test
  • Demonstration in production-representative/facility pilot areas
  • Full-rate production implementation in permanent facilities
  • Sustainment, maintenance, and continuous improvement of systems and supporting infrastructure
• Lead technical content for proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs) covering both manufacturing systems and facility‑related scope (equipment installation, utilities, layout changes).
• Ensure systematic conversion of requirements into validated designs and production‑ready facility‑integrated solutions, including verification, validation, and commissioning.
• Evaluate and document cost, savings, ROI, and implementation/program risk for manufacturing system and facility expansion options.
• Manage project cost, schedule, and technical performance from inception through transition‑to‑production, coordinating with operations, quality, facilities, EHS, and program teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing system performance, facility utilization, and capacity to support current and future munitions demand.
• Focus projects on advanced and emerging manufacturing/digital capabilities (e.g., automation) to improve quality, reduce span time/time‑to‑market, and lower total cost in expanded munitions facilities.

Basic Qualifications

• Must have at least 12 years of experience plus a bachelors degree in STEM. Will consider those with a masters degree and at least 10 years of experience or those with a PhD and at least 8 years of experience.
• Must be able to obtain a Secret Clearance, US citizenship is a pre‑requisite.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading:
  • Development of manufacturing system requirements and technical plans
  • Integration and validation of new equipment or manufacturing systems into production facilities
  • Projects spanning multiple MRL phases and transition‑to‑production
• Experience collaborating with Facilities Engineering/Facilities Operations on production cell or line layout.
• Proven ability to manage project cost, schedule, and technical risk in a matrixed environment.
• Strong analytical skills with experience evaluating implementation cost, savings, and ROI for manufacturing and facilities investments.
• Demonstrated experience writing or contributing to technical proposals, SOWs, and/or BOEs, ideally including facility and equipment scope.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interface with operations, facilities, EHS, quality, and program leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret or higher clearance.
• Experience with collaborating with Facilities Engineering Operations with utility and infrastructure requirements (power, gas, HVAC, controls) and the construction/renovation of equipment installation planning.
• Direct experience with munitions, energetics, explosives, or ordnance manufacturing or other high-hazard, facility-intensive production environments.
• Experience with site expansion, new facility build‑out, or major facility renovation in a production setting (greenfield and/or brownfield).
• Hands‑on experience with advanced/digital manufacturing technologies, such as:
  • Automation/robotics, PLCs, and process control systems
  • Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and digital travelers
  • Data collection/analytics for process monitoring and facility utilization
  • Digital thread / model‑based engineering applied to production and facility planning
• Familiarity with MRL frameworks, manufacturing and facility readiness reviews, and risk assessments.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement, including layout optimization and material flow in production facilities.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and mentoring early‑career engineers.

Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 - $253,600.00

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. 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.