Engineer/Principal Engineer for Manufacturing Automation – Final Assembly

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 an Engineer or Principal Engineer for Manufacturing Automation for our Final Assembly area. The Manufacturing Automation Process Engineer will develop, implement, monitor and improve manufacturing processes that support our Final Assembly areas. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in manufacturing and process control with the ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders – ensuring that projects meet both technical and programmatic objectives. 
  
The Manufacturing Automation Process Engineer has responsibilities that include, but are not limited to:

Project Management: 

• Create and manage overall project deliverables (tasks, resources, budget and schedules); develop Statements of Work (SOW) and cost estimates; track project financials; identify and support the acquisition of external services 

• Provide justification and return on investment for process improvement

Automation:

• Define requirements for automation solutions and write statements of work for internal and external equipment suppliers and automation integrators

• Lead selection of equipment suppliers and automation integrators and ensure their execution to technical and schedule requirements  for capital and development projects 

• Identify and incorporate emerging automation technologies into design solutions through industry engagement and demonstration 

• Establish processes and procedures to support manufacturing automation

• Design, program and simulate, implement and validate performance, and maintain safe industrial automation solutions

• Develop automation system requirements and machine specifications 

• Utilize new technology to improve and automate manufacturing processes 

• Simulate automation robot programming

Process Development: 

• Develop new and maintain, or improve, existing manufacturing processes with a focus on production capabilities and affordability

• Create and document designs for custom tooling

• Specify, identify and procure new manufacturing equipment; prepare equipment for production and validate production readiness

• Develop and optimize process parameters to achieve specified and consistent product results

• Develop/revise process documentation and work instructions

Automation:

• Design, program, simulate and test automated processes and machinery 

• Create and manage to project plans for automation development activities

• Integrate automation training for new systems with technicians

• Ensure design intent and cost effectiveness of production are achieved

• Develop and document system Acceptance Testing procedures  

• Assist with design of custom equipment, robots, and machine vision 

• Review and support equipment safety risk assessments 

Factory Support: 

• Monitor key process indicators, including yields and cost; recommend and implement process changes that improve safety, quality, cost and schedule

• Solve manufacturing problems (related to materials, designs, equipment and tooling, training and instructions) to support production

• Assist with training new personnel and design operations training materials

• Support factory maintenance personnel with the troubleshooting and repair of process equipment

Design, Engineering and Vendor Support: 

• Recommend product design improvements required to produce advanced microelectronics products

• Document state-of-the-art process capabilities and guidelines for product designers

• Conduct design producibility reviews for new products

• Review vendor proposals, quotes, designs, installation, and facility testing for best value

• Evaluate that vendor designs meet Mission Systems automation and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) requirements 

Miscellaneous: 

• Provide supplier support, as needed, to resolve issues within supply base

• Provide Request for Proposal (RFP) inputs including Non-Recurring Engineering (RE) requirements such as tooling, capital equipment and/or new process development

The chosen candidate must be able to multi-task in a fast-paced, dynamic, and high visibility environment; work well in a team environment; and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

This job may be filled as an Engineer or a Principal Engineer based on the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications for a Manufacturing Engineer:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or related STEM area and at least two years of experience in Manufacturing/Process Engineering, Production, or related area - OR - a Master's degree

• Experience implementing automation solutions in a manufacturing environment

• Must have fluency in MS Office software applications 

• 3D Solid Modeling experience using a CAD software 

• Candidate must be able to obtain a Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite.)

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Manufacturing Engineer:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or related STEM area and at least five years of experience in Manufacturing/Process Engineering, Production, or related area - OR - a Master's degree with at least three years of experience

• Experience implementing automation solutions in a manufacturing environment

• Must have fluency in MS Office software applications 

• 3D Solid Modeling experience using a CAD software 

• Candidate must be able to obtain a Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience implementing automation solutions in a manufacturing environment

• Experience with web-based programs, or HMI, and GUI applications used to automate the control, collection, and transformation of operating data (OEE)

• Experience with Control Systems, configurations, and support (i.e. Siemens, Rockwell) 

• Understanding and proficiency with Profinet, SCADA/Industrial communication protocols (i.e., Modbus, EthernetIP, OPC, Bacnet)

• Experience in architecture and programming of using a wide variety of Discrete I/O, Analog I/O, and communications to I/O data that can be transmitted or received to/from other controllers and devices via industrial communication protocols

• Experience with KPIs, cost estimates, work breakdown structures, and continuous improvement

• Project Management experience 

• Familiarity with J-STD and MIL-STD requirements 

• Experience  with electronic assembly processes and circuit card assemblies

• 3D modeling experience in Unigraphics/NX 

• 3D modeling experience with assembly tooling, concept development, and tool creation

• Experience with the Teamcenter Manufacturing tool suite and Manufacturing Process Planning Familiarity with Design of Experiment (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), and 6 sigma concepts for process development and control 

• Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) 

Salary Range: $73,600 USD - $110,400 USD

Salary Range 2: $90,600 USD - $136,000 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.