ClearanceJobs
Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer (Level 3)
ClearanceJobs, Chandler, Arizona, United States, 85249
Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer - Level 3
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's Space Sector is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer - Level 3, located in Chandler, AZ. Due to the sensitive nature of our work, this is a fully on-site position; hybrid or remote work is not available. The Manufacturing Systems Engineer develops requirements, performs technical planning, manufacturing system development/integration, verification and validation, and evaluates cost (implementation, savings and return on investment) and implementation/program risk impacts. Manufacturing systems engineers follow projects through all manufacturing readiness level phases: concept development, design, fabrication/assembly/test at lab level, production environment demo, full production operations implementation, sustainment/maintenance/continuous improvement. These projects focus on advanced and emerging manufacturing capabilities/digital technologies with the goal of improving overall production manufacturing quality, span times/time to market and reduce cost. This role leads project technical proposal/SOW writing & estimating while ensuring systemic conversion of requirements to design, implementation and production validations. We manage project cost and schedule through all phases and execution of transition to production activities of the developed systems to program and functional manufacturing spaces. Key Responsibilities:
Manufacturing Readiness Assessments: Lead and execute formal assessments to evaluate the manufacturing readiness level (MRL) of components, subsystems, and systems. Track manufacturing maturity throughout the program lifecycle, from concept to production. Develop action plans to address gaps and risks identified during assessments. Process and Facility Audits: Assess production capabilities, capacity, and resource availability to ensure suppliers and internal facilities can meet program demand. Perform audits of manufacturing processes, tools, equipment, and workforce training. Recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and increase process stability. Risk Identification and Mitigation: Identify manufacturability risks, deviations, and potential bottlenecks in the production process early in development. Work with design and production teams to implement fixes or process changes that eliminate potential issues. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Design Engineering, Systems Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Program Management, to align on manufacturing issues and solutions. Work closely with suppliers and subcontractors to verify their readiness to deliver critical components on time and within specification. Process Documentation and Reporting: Create detailed reports, metrics, and presentations outlining manufacturing readiness level findings and recommendations. Document process changes, best practices, and lessons learned to create a standard of excellence for future assessments. Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline manufacturing processes and reduce costs. Support the implementation of technologies such as automation, advanced quality monitoring, or digital twins to enhance production readiness. Your Expertise - Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 5 years of relevant experience (i.e., manufacturing engineering, aerospace production, or related roles) -OR- Master's degree with 3 years of relevant experience Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance, which generally requires US Citizenship as a prerequisite Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, techniques, and standards in the aerospace industry (e.g., machining, composites, additive manufacturing, or electronics). Experience performing audits and presenting results to senior staff and customers Experience with Manufacturing Readiness Assessments & Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRA/MRL) Familiarity with contracts and requirements Able to travel to suppliers 10-20% What Sets You Apart - Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's in Mechanical or Systems Engineering Active U.S. Government DoD Secret (or higher) security clearance, current and within scope Familiarity with Northrop Grumman tools and processes Experience with Manufacturing Engineering System (MES) Analytical approach to problem-solving and proven ability to work independently with limited supervision Microsoft Office Suite
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's Space Sector is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer - Level 3, located in Chandler, AZ. Due to the sensitive nature of our work, this is a fully on-site position; hybrid or remote work is not available. The Manufacturing Systems Engineer develops requirements, performs technical planning, manufacturing system development/integration, verification and validation, and evaluates cost (implementation, savings and return on investment) and implementation/program risk impacts. Manufacturing systems engineers follow projects through all manufacturing readiness level phases: concept development, design, fabrication/assembly/test at lab level, production environment demo, full production operations implementation, sustainment/maintenance/continuous improvement. These projects focus on advanced and emerging manufacturing capabilities/digital technologies with the goal of improving overall production manufacturing quality, span times/time to market and reduce cost. This role leads project technical proposal/SOW writing & estimating while ensuring systemic conversion of requirements to design, implementation and production validations. We manage project cost and schedule through all phases and execution of transition to production activities of the developed systems to program and functional manufacturing spaces. Key Responsibilities:
Manufacturing Readiness Assessments: Lead and execute formal assessments to evaluate the manufacturing readiness level (MRL) of components, subsystems, and systems. Track manufacturing maturity throughout the program lifecycle, from concept to production. Develop action plans to address gaps and risks identified during assessments. Process and Facility Audits: Assess production capabilities, capacity, and resource availability to ensure suppliers and internal facilities can meet program demand. Perform audits of manufacturing processes, tools, equipment, and workforce training. Recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and increase process stability. Risk Identification and Mitigation: Identify manufacturability risks, deviations, and potential bottlenecks in the production process early in development. Work with design and production teams to implement fixes or process changes that eliminate potential issues. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Design Engineering, Systems Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Program Management, to align on manufacturing issues and solutions. Work closely with suppliers and subcontractors to verify their readiness to deliver critical components on time and within specification. Process Documentation and Reporting: Create detailed reports, metrics, and presentations outlining manufacturing readiness level findings and recommendations. Document process changes, best practices, and lessons learned to create a standard of excellence for future assessments. Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline manufacturing processes and reduce costs. Support the implementation of technologies such as automation, advanced quality monitoring, or digital twins to enhance production readiness. Your Expertise - Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 5 years of relevant experience (i.e., manufacturing engineering, aerospace production, or related roles) -OR- Master's degree with 3 years of relevant experience Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance, which generally requires US Citizenship as a prerequisite Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, techniques, and standards in the aerospace industry (e.g., machining, composites, additive manufacturing, or electronics). Experience performing audits and presenting results to senior staff and customers Experience with Manufacturing Readiness Assessments & Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRA/MRL) Familiarity with contracts and requirements Able to travel to suppliers 10-20% What Sets You Apart - Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's in Mechanical or Systems Engineering Active U.S. Government DoD Secret (or higher) security clearance, current and within scope Familiarity with Northrop Grumman tools and processes Experience with Manufacturing Engineering System (MES) Analytical approach to problem-solving and proven ability to work independently with limited supervision Microsoft Office Suite