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 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 currently seeking an experienced Principal (level 3) or Senior Principal Engineer (level 4) to provide manufacturing and process‑engineering technical expertise, project management, and comprehensive automation support for our fast‑growing medium‑caliber ammunition production programs in our Plymouth, MN offices.
Reporting to the Engineering Manager, Production Engineering, this role is responsible for delivering end‑to‑end manufacturing engineering support for electro‑mechanical fuze assemblies while designing, deploying, and maintaining automation cells. The engineer will collaborate with project teams to streamline designs for enhanced manufacturability and automation, integrating cutting‑edge technologies such as robotics, advanced inspection, and testing to ensure rapid, cost‑effective delivery of high‑quality products.
What you'll get to do:
Work with project teams to coordinate design‑for‑manufacturability and automation opportunities for new product development efforts.
Leverage the latest technologies including robotics, vision / inspection, testing to ensure high quality and cost-effective products are released to market as quickly as possible.
Assist in automation standardization including acceptance checklists, PLC and data analytic platforms (Thingworx & Kepware), design for automation checklists, training (plc, robotics, safety) and foster cross-sector collaboration.
Support the implementation and ensure optimal uptime of automation solutions by coordinating prove-out plans and preventative maintenance, performing PFMEAs, spare part management, and training.
Aid in the design of production solutions, including automation cells, fixtures, and test stations, to achieve optimal, safe production output and quality.
Provide on‑site troubleshooting, maintenance, repairs, and upgrades for automation cells and associated equipment.
Develop manufacturing processes and documentation that ensures hardware and test articles meet engineering and configuration requirements.
Coordinate builds of electro-mechanical assemblies to support programs that are in engineering and manufacturing development as well as production.
Contribute to completion of specific program and project milestones.
Interface with design engineering to create products that are optimized for assembly.
Disposition discrepant hardware. Support and/or lead failure investigations, root cause determination, and corrective action implementation.
Communicates manufacturing plans and processes to internal and external customers through Manufacturing Readiness reviews.
Conceptualize and implement continuous improvement projects internally and with suppliers.
Communicate project status and issues to internal management.
Coordinate manufacturing efforts between internal functional disciplines including Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, and Test.
Communicates product requirements and collaborates with key suppliers to manage delivery of high quality components and assemblies to be utilized in assembly of final product
Implement and manage strong manufacturing engineering principles to ensure robust manufacturing process and high product quality. Examples are SPC, P-FMEA, Mistake Proofing, gage R&R, equipment and gage qualifications, Design for assembly, and First Article Inspections.
Minimum Basic Qualifications
Bachelors degree within a STEM field & 5 years of related engineering experience, OR a Masters degree in a STEM field & 3 years of related experience for a level 3. For a level 4 you will need a bachelors degree in a STEM field & 8 years of related engineering experience, OR a Masters degree in a STEM field & 6 years of related engineering experience
Ability to guide successful completion of significant tasks and provide some work direction, mentoring, and coordination of other technical team members.
Some experience working and communicating with customers, program management, and engineering management.
Technical understanding of mechanical mechanisms, electromechanical mechanisms, manufacturing processes, metal fabrication, and standard assembly processes.
Applies knowledge of engineering and scientific methods, theories and research techniques in the disciplined investigation and solution of technical problems.
The person filling this position must be able to work with a wide variety of multi-discipline people, in remote settings, interact with them frequently, building strong trusting relationships.
Experience and proficiency in working with multiple projects.
Self-motivated to start and complete quality work.
Strong communication skills, written and verbal.
Strong computer skills in Microsoft Suite, including MS Project.
Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance (US Citizenship required)
Desired Qualifications
Bachelor's degree within mechanical engineering
Current & active DoD security clearance
Experience in managing key suppliers to deliver quality components to be used in the assembly of final product.
· Experience working in the defense industry and/or with U.S. Government contracts
Robotics and controls experience (Allen Bradley, Epson / Fanuc Robots, Labview, Vision Systems, etc.)
Data analytics experience (Kepware, Thingworx, Power BI, etc.)
Experience in Creo (3d CAD) and Teamcenter.
Proficiency in developing and utilizing Experience with electronic work instructions for manufacturing processes, with experience in ERP and MES systems.
Experience in the production of electronic assemblies, including Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) using Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines, adhering to industry best practices.