Staff Manufacturing Engineer

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

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 seeking a Staff-level Manufacturing Engineer focused on industrial automation to join our Propulsion Systems & Controls (PS&C) team in Elkton, Maryland. This role leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing processes for energetic, static-sensitive, corrosive, and chemical operations supporting solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems.

The Elkton PS&C facility began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the site designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems for a wide variety of U.S. Government and commercial customers. Elkton also serves as the manufacturing hub for test facilities and offsite engineering in Ronkonkoma, NY and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Located on the Upper Chesapeake Bay between Philadelphia and Baltimore, Elkton offers access to charming small towns, miles of parks and trails, specialty and antique shops, award‑winning restaurants, and waterfront recreation. Residents can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, birdwatching, horseback riding, and fishing, as well as boating on five rivers, the Chesapeake Bay, and the C&D Canal. More information about the area can be found through Cecil County Tourism.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical leader for automated manufacturing of energetic materials and related assemblies, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are met.
• Design and optimize automated manufacturing processes and equipment layouts for highly energetic, static‑sensitive, and chemical operations, ensuring compliance with HOPs, DOD 4145.26, ATF, and related regulatory requirements.
• Develop, launch, and qualify new or upgraded automated production lines, including specification, selection, and integration of robotics, controls, instrumentation, material handling, and preventative maintenance strategies; lead FAT/SAT, commissioning, startup, and acceptance testing.
• Define sequence of operations, process parameters, and quality control plans (inspection, test, SPC) and ensure processes, procedures, and documentation (standard work, routings, BOMs) meet customer, regulatory, and internal requirements, including ERP/MRP integration.
• Collaborate with Hazards Analysis, EH&S, and cross‑functional engineering teams to identify, mitigate, and eliminate safety risks, incorporating safety interlocks, remote operations, and standardized mix requirements into automated process designs.
• Lead advanced Lean, continuous‑improvement, and data‑driven optimization efforts to increase throughput, reduce waste, improve process capability, and drive corrective actions.
• Provide training, mentorship, and technical consultation to operations, maintenance, and quality personnel; lead cross‑functional investigations (RCCA, PFMEA, nonconformance analysis) and act as a technical advisor to management and customers on advanced automation technologies.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, or related discipline) and 12 Years with BS; 10 Years with Masters; 8 Years with PhD.
• Significant experience leading automation-focused projects in manufacturing (e.g., automated line deployment, capital equipment integration, complex process improvements).
• Demonstrated expertise with Lean/continuous improvement tools and application to automated or process-intensive operations.
• Experience applying advanced statistical methods to manufacturing processes (SPC, DOE, capability studies) and leading RCCA.
• Ability to work under consultative direction on long-range goals, self‑initiate assignments, and determine courses of action to achieve desired results.
• Strong collaboration skills with cross‑functional teams (Operations, Quality, EH&S, Facilities, Supply Chain, Finance).
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in energetics, ordnance, propellants, or other hazardous materials manufacturing environments.
• Deep familiarity with HOPs, DOD 4145.26, and hazard analysis methods (PFMEA, Process FMEA).
• Experience defining TPM/PM programs and working closely with maintenance on automated equipment reliability.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems for routings, BOMs, and WIP tracking.
• Proven ability to serve as an organizational technical leader, develop new principles and concepts, and guide advanced technologies from concept to production.

This position falls under a Federal Explosives License issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for this location. Candidates hired into this role will be required to complete and submit an Employee Possessor Questionnaire to ATF for approval to be a possessor.

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.