Principal Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance 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 and Principal Engineer to support our Large Caliber Ammunition team located in West Burlington, Iowa at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.

About the Opportunity

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Engineer to join our manufacturing and process engineering team. This role will provide technical expertise, oversight, and project management for large‑caliber ammunition production programs. The position is based at our IAAAP facility near Burlington, IA, and works closely with cross‑functional teams across engineering, quality, logistics, and program management in Plymouth, MN.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide manufacturing engineering support to large‑caliber ammunition programs produced at the IAAAP supplier site.

• Ensure process compliance: validate that manufacturing processes and documentation meet engineering and configuration requirements.

• Coordinate test & production lots: work with supplier and program team to ensure production readiness and progress

• Drive program milestones: interface with the program team to guarantee objectives and deadlines are met.

• Investigate deviations: Disposition discrepant hardware and support failure investigations, root cause determinations and corrective action implementations.

• Communicate status: report manufacturing plans, processes, and program progress to internal stakeholders and external customers and suppliers.

• Champion continuous improvement: conceptualize and execute initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, and safety.

• Represent the company: maintain a professional presence on the supplier site. Build and nurture strong, strategic relationships with the supplier, developing a repertoire of effective communication and collaboration.

• Lead process engineering principles: apply SPC, P‑FMEA, mistake‑proofing, gage R&R, equipment/gage qualification, Design for Assembly, and First‑Article Inspections to sustain high‑quality, robust processes.

Basic Qualifications

• 5 years of experience with Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or 3 years of experience with a MS degree in Engineering

• 2+ years of engineering experience in product development and/or production environments.

• Proven experience collaborating with customer engineering, vendors, and subcontractors.

• Ability to travel domestically as required.

• U.S. citizenship; eligibility to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with energetic materials (propellants, explosives).

• Background in project engineering/management.

• Familiarity with defense industry operations and U.S. Government contracting.

• Strong understanding of military and industry standards (e.g., MIL‑STD, ISO, ASME).

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a cross‑functional team environment.

Primary Level Salary Range: $84,700.00 - $127,100.00

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.