Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an opening for an Associate Manufacturing Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals.
The position requires on-site support located in Palmdale, CA where technology and teamwork come together.
The selected candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Manufacturing Engineering Team working in a collaborative environment while promoting a positive and proactive teamwork environment.
Manufacturing Engineering job duties involve the following:
Provide guidance to Engineering regarding design concepts to ensure the best manufacturing technique is being used to meet the Engineering design
Participate in tool design reviews to ensure tools are feasible and reduce build times and program costs during assembly
Define sequence of operations for product builds, investigate and initiate corrective actions and improvements that involve non-conforming product and identify improvement opportunities in areas that require producibility and affordability initiatives
Provide liaison support for Engineering definition to influence low production costs for integrated assembly related to electrical, hydraulics, fuels, fluids and propulsion systems
Manufacturing Engineers for Aeronautics Systems are expected to provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex and difficult problems. They are problem solvers who have the ability to provide results that are innovative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives. We seek Manufacturing Engineers that use a unique skill set that includes a hands-on approach and act as the technical representative voice for the Manufacturing organization.
Basic Qualifications for an Associate Manufacturing Engineer:
A candidate, regardless of age and hiring source, must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:
Be completing or has completed their Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by 2026.
Be majoring in or having majored in Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or similar STEM degree.
Foundational understanding of manufacturing operations, including composites, metallic structures, coatings application, and assembly processes.
Proven ability to interface and communicate effectively with multiple levels of leadership, clients, and vendors.
Familiarity with: (1) CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX), (2) reviewing and interpreting Blueprints and 3-D models.
Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance. Final approved U.S. Government Secret Clearance is required (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).
Final approved Program Special Access may be required to start.
Ability to work 1st shift (5:00 am – 3:30 pm) or 2nd shift (4:12 pm – 2:42 am); and any work schedule (times may vary) as determined by business needs.
Availability for up to 10% travel.
Physical Demands: Liaison Manufacturing Engineer
The following physical demands are essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
Environmental Navigation: Regularly move through and operate within manufacturing environments, including traversing units/products, utilizing tooling, stands, ladders, and steps while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
Stationary Tasks: Remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) at a workstation for extended periods, including up to 10-hour shifts.
Mobility & Positioning: Frequently position self to inspect or work on equipment by bending, kneeling, or crouching.
Confined Spaces: Occasionally enter and operate in confined spaces.
Protective Equipment: Adhere to safety protocols by wearing PPE, including steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and protective aprons.
Respirator Requirement: Ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment. This requires maintaining minimal facial hair for a proper seal.
Facility Access: Ability to navigate all areas of the facility and access all production machinery.
Lifting: Occasionally move or transport objects weighing up to 15 pounds.
Physical Demands: BTP Manufacturing Engineer
The following physical demands are essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
Stationary Tasks: Remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) at a workstation for extended periods, including up to 10-hour shifts.
Mobility & Positioning: Occasionally position self to inspect or work on equipment by bending, kneeling, or crouching.
Protective Equipment: Adhere to safety protocols by wearing PPE, including steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and protective aprons.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or Engineering Technology.
Hands-on Production Expertise: Engineering Internships and/or manufacturing related work experience, within high-rate production assembly lines, that demonstrates the skill and ability to perform moderately complex professional tasks and provides solutions to a variety of technical problems of increasing scope and complexity as assigned.
Digital Thread: Experience utilizing NX for CAD design and CPLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems to manage technical data and design revisions.
GD&T Knowledge: Applied knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5 standards to ensure manufacturing precision.
Composites: Knowledge of composite fabrication (e.g., hand layup, resin infusion, or autoclave curing) and material properties.
Structures: Ability to interpret complex 2D/3D engineering drawings and specifications for structural integrity.
Systems: Familiarity with integrating technical solutions across multiple disciplines and maintaining manufacturing system requirements.
Digital Manufacturing Systems (ERP/MES): Experience executing workflows within Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to track real-time production and maintain digital work instructions.
Design for Manufacturing (DfM) & Innovation: Ability to implement innovative techniques to optimize product designs and tooling, improving cycle times and first-pass yield.
Integrated Systems Engineering: Familiarity with integrating technical solutions across multiple engineering disciplines and maintaining precise manufacturing system requirements.
Works under general direction: Independently determines and develops approach to solutions and provides feedback to supervision
Pay Range
Associate Manufacturing Engineer: $69,400 - $104,000
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Primary Level Salary Range: $69,400.00 - $104,000.00The 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 includngc