Staff Engineer Manufacturing Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Secret clearance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff Manufacturing Systems Engineer in Elkton, Maryland to lead manufacturing systems engineering for munitions production and facility expansion. This role collaborates with Facilities Engineering on layouts, utilities, and readiness for new/renovated spaces, driving safety and compliance throughout complex programs.

The position emphasizes cross-functional coordination, cost and risk management, and continuous improvement of manufacturing and facility performance

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing systems engineering and program integration.
• Ability to lead multi-phase MRL projects from concept to production.
• Strong written and verbal communication for proposals, SOWs, and BOEs.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing systems engineering activities to support long range strategic plans, facility upgrades, and site expansion.
• Decompose manufacturing system and facility interface requirements aligning with program, safety, and regulatory needs.
• Coordinate with Facilities Engineering on utility, layout, and infrastructure needs for new/expanded production cells.
• Integrate manufacturing systems (equipment, automation, controls, digital tools) into existing and greenfield facilities.
• Own projects across all MRL phases from concept to full-rate production and sustainment.

Skills

Manufacturing systems engineering

Project management

Facilities engineering coordination

Cost/schedule/risk management

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

MES

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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 includingmunitions production acceleration, facilities upgrades, and site expansioninitiatives.
• Develop and decomposemanufacturing system and facility interface requirements, ensuring alignment with program, safety, environmental, and regulatory needs.
• Partner closely withFacilities Engineeringto:
  • 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) intoexisting and greenfield production facilities.
• Own projects across allManufacturing 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 forproposals 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 documentcost, savings, ROI, and implementation/program riskfor manufacturing system and facility expansion options.
• Manageproject cost, schedule, and technical performancefrom inception through transition-to-production, coordinating with operations, quality, facilities, EHS, and program teams.
• Drivecontinuous improvementin manufacturing system performance, facility utilization, and capacity to support current and future munitions demand.
• Focus projects onadvanced 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 - $253,600.00The 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.