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Principal Engineer Manufacturing

Yesterday Charlottesville, VA

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: 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.Designs manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, machining and material handling. Designs arrangement of machines within plant facilities to ensure most efficient and productive layout. Designs sequence of operations and specifies procedures for the fabrication of tools and equipment and other functions that affect product performance. Adapts machine or equipment design to factory and production conditions.
May incorporate inspection and test requirements into the production plan. Inspects performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify their efficiency, and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure product quality. Develops manufacturing processes that are applicable to statistical process control, and may develop those techniques. Provides guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques. Ensures processes and procedures are in compliance with regulations.
We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Manufacturing Engineer based in Charlottesville, VA.
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 harnesses.

Designs sequence of operations and specifies procedures for the fabrication of parts, 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.

Investigates, evaluate, improve and execute harness build processes, to improve time and quality of finished product. Inspects performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify their efficiency.

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.

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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 to be filled at a level 3 (Principal).
Basic Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Engineer:

Bachelor's Degree in engineering with a minimum of 5 years of manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering experience. Candidates without an degree would be considered with a minimum of 9 years of manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering experience.

Experience with wire: harnesses, connection, assembly, and troubleshooting

Experience with reading and interpreting wiring schematics

CAD experience

IPC 610 and 620 certification

Experience supporting and assisting shop floor assemblers and operators

Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings and GD&T specifications

Experience reading blueprints and specifications for wore harness parts

Advanced machine setups. Experience with subassembly and final assembly build structure

Experience with Model Based Engineering

Experience with LEAN manufacturing principles

Experience with Corrective Action Requests (CAR) and ability to address and resolve CARs

Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance.

US Citizenship Required.

Preferred Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Engineer:

Experience with ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management System certification process

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

AutoCAD and NX experience.

Primary 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.

Client-provided location(s): Charlottesville, VA
Job ID: NorthropGrumman-R10214709
Employment Type: OTHER
Posted: 2025-11-21T20:16:36

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • HSA
    • HSA With Employer Contribution
    • On-Site Gym
    • Pet Insurance
    • Mental Health Benefits
    • Virtual Fitness Classes
  • Parental Benefits

    • Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
    • Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
    • Fertility Benefits
    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
    • Adoption Leave
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Remote Work Opportunities
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
    • Four-Day Work Week
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
    • Company Outings
    • On-Site Cafeteria
    • Holiday Events
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Sabbatical
    • Leave of Absence
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K)
    • 401(K) With Company Matching
    • Performance Bonus
    • Relocation Assistance
    • Financial Counseling
    • Profit Sharing
  • Professional Development

    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Promote From Within
    • Mentor Program
    • Shadowing Opportunities
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Lunch and Learns
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

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