Manufacturing Engineer/Principal Manufacturing Engineer (with Industrial Engineering experience)
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Sep 24, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 17, 2026. Northrop Grumman scores A on the Alion truth index.
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.At the heart of who we are, Northrop Grumman is a leading American manufacturing company delivering advanced technologies in support of national security. Our teams work collaboratively to ensure manufacturing excellence, production readiness, and continuous improvement across programs.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Manufacturing Engineer orPrincipal Manufacturing Engineer to support production and manufacturing operations based in Charlottesville, VA.
What You'll Get To Do:
The Manufacturing Engineer will report directly to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager and will support manufacturing programs at the site.
Primary Responsibilities:
Designs manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, and material handling for wire harness work cell.
Designs sequence of operations and specifies procedures for tools, equipment and other functions affecting product performance.
Adapts machine or equipment design to factory and production conditions. Incorporate inspection and test requirements into the production plan.
Inspects performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify their efficiency. Investigates, initiates and executes solutions to ensure product quality.
Develop and use simulation models to optimize plant configurations/layouts, process flows, and product routing, ensuring efficient system flow between cells.
Analyzes lead times, queue times, work-in-process, cycle times, and throughput to meet customer demand.
Develops manufacturing processes applicable to statistical process control.
Provides guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques. Ensures processes and procedures are compliant with regulations.
Interfaces directly with assemblers, cell supervisors and others in Operations. Must be knowledgeable in and capable of assessing manufacturing engineering processes and procedures.
Drives affordability through monitoring of budget (time) and spend.
Travels to suppliers as required, to achieve positive outcomes.
Fosters a collaborative culture sustaining momentum around engagement, problem solving, and continuous improvement.
Serves as a strong voice for Manufacturing Engineering and a role model for NG Values.
This position may be filled at a level 2 Manufacturing Engineer or level 3 Principal Manufacturing Engineer based on the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for the Manufacturing Engineer:
Bachelor's Degree or higher in a STEM discipline with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering or production OR a Master’s Degree with a minimum of 0 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering or production.
Experience with wire harnesses, connectors, assembling, crimping tools, hand tools and troubleshooting
Experience reading and interpreting wiring schematics
CAD experience
Experience supporting, teaching and assisting shop floor assemblers and operators
Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings and GD&T, blueprints and specifications
Experience analyzing existing production lines and workflows to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and waste
Experience with design and improvement of facility layouts and workstations using CAD to maximize spatial efficiency
Experience conducting time and motion studies to establish accurate standard work definitions and labor standards
Design and improve facility layouts, workstations, and material handling systems using AutoCAD or similar software to maximize spatial efficiency
Experience estimating all aspects of build, set up and run times to accurately plan for cost and production times
Experience with LEAN manufacturing principles
Experience with Corrective Action Requests (CAR) and ability to address and resolve CARs
Onsite work at Charlottesville plant with start time of 6:00AM to align with operator schedules
Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance
US Citizenship is required.
Basic Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
Bachelor's Degree or higher in a STEM discipline with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering or production OR a Master’s Degree with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering or production.
Experience with wire harnesses, connectors, assembling, crimping tools, hand tools and troubleshooting
Experience reading and interpreting wiring schematics
CAD experience
Experience supporting, teaching and assisting shop floor assemblers and operators
Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings and GD&T specifications, blueprints and specifications
Experience analyzing existing production lines and workflows to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and waste
Experience with design and improvement of facility layouts and workstations using CAD to maximize spatial efficiency
Experience conducting time and motion studies to establish accurate standard work definitions and labor standards
Experience estimating all aspects of build, set up and run times to accurately plan for cost and production times
Experience with LEAN manufacturing principles
Experience with Corrective Action Requests (CAR) and ability to address and resolve CARs
Onsite work at Charlottesville plant with start time of 6:00AM to align with operator schedules
Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance.
US Citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications for Both Levels:
Experience with ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management System certification process
IPC 610/620 certification
Experience with subassembly and final assembly build structure
Experience with Model Based Engineering
Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical, electrical or industrial engineering; or Master’s Degree in an engineering field
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt
Experience facilitating Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) activities
Experience auditing and improving manufacturing processes
Defense industry experience
Experience in a manufacturing role
SAP Business System experience
Software: MPLM, NX and AutoCAD experience
What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
Primary Level Salary Range: $72,100.00 - $108,100.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $89,400.00 - $134,200.00The 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 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.