Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer, Composites – Space Components

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.

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 Space Systems designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. Our main products include satellites and associated space components and services; launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; and advanced aerospace structures.

The Space Components Group is seeking a Sr. Principal Composite Manufacturing Engineer to assist an experienced team of engineers to perform manufacturing and design engineering on one or more spacecraft systems or subsystems.

This position will be located in the San Diego, CA.

This is an Evergreen posting, no current openings at this time.

Responsibilities:

• Plans, directs, and coordinates composites manufacturing processes on factory (manufacturing) floor
• Develops, evaluates, and improves all composites manufacturing methods, utilizing knowledge of spacecraft design, complex composite materials, composite fabrication and processes, tooling and production equipment capabilities, composite assembly methods, and quality control standards
• Designs manufacturing workflow, layout of equipment and workspace for maximum efficiency by utilizing LEAN manufacturing principles.
• Create detailed manufacturing work instructions in MES (Manufacturing Execution System) that define the specific processes to manufacture complex composites hardware to specific customer requirements.
• Creates complete and accurate bill of materials (BOM) for manufactured composite space components.
• Communicates with design staff regarding product design and tooling to ensure efficient production methods that support our composite manufacturing
• Creates purchase requests and partners with vendors to determine product specifications of equipment, materials, or parts, and evaluates products according to specifications and quality standards
• Support proposal effort by estimating production times and related costs to provide information for management decisions
• Effectively communicates with management, engineering, and other staff regarding manufacturing capabilities, and other considerations to facilitate and improve production processes
• Applies statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements and potential improvements.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 9+ years of experience, Master’s Degree and 7+ years of experience
• In-depth knowledge of MRP systems – Costpoint and SAP
• In-depth knowledge in composite lay-up, machining, assembly of composite flight materials and complex space components
• Knowledge and application of continuous improvement philosophy, methodology, and tools. A complete understand of how to apply LEAN manufacturing in a environment
• Highly skilled at technical problem solving, including formal root cause and corrective action identification and implementation with composite spacecraft
• Ability to read, interpret highly complex engineering drawings with proper application of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prefer CAD experience (NX-10/Team-center or other CAD experience)
• Active DoD and Top-Secret CSI clearance highly preferred OR must have the ability to obtain a DoD and Top Secret SCI clearance
• Effective communication within teams, cross-functional collaboration, and leadership skills
• Proficient in MS Office – (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
• In-depth knowledge of MES/Solumina Electronic Work Instruction platform
• Certified/Certifications in advance composite materials and manufacturing
• Strong organizational and time management skills to successfully engage in multiple programs simultaneously over a extended period of time.
• Capable of representing an organization as a technical contact and interact with program teams and leadership as the technical expert for the composites manufacturing process   

Salary Range: $117,700 USD - $176,500 USD

Employees may be eligible for 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 health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority. The company encourages employees to remain up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. U.S. Northrop Grumman employees may be required, in the future, to be vaccinated or have an approved disability/medical or religious accommodation, pursuant to future court decisions and/or government action on the currently stayed federal contractor vaccine mandate under Executive Order 14042 https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for most positions.