Manufacturing Engineer - Level 6

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: 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.

Northrop Grumman Mission Enabling Products (MEP) Business Unit designs, manufactures and operates small and medium-class spacecraft for communications, imaging, scientific, exploration and national security space applications. MEP is the leading supplier of space components that power and enable satellites of all classes, provides technical engineering services to government agencies and laboratories, and is developing exciting new satellite servicing and advanced space flight technologies.

Our Propulsion team in Commerce, CA is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer Level 6 to join our team. The Propulsion team within the Mission Enabling Products Business Unit is the leading supplier of pressure vessels and tank hardware to the aerospace industry. You will work on assigned programs on non-recurring work as well as provide technical support on the shop floor.

The Manufacturing Engineer Level 6 will serve as the Additive Manufacturing Technical Lead for an Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program. This program focuses on developing an additively manufactured tank and a scalable product line. As a senior individual contributor, you will be responsible for owning and managing the manufacturing technical baseline , which includes additive process development, design-for-manufacturing analysis, CAD/CAM strategy, production tooling, manufacturing inspection, process qualification, capability assessment, repeatability, and manufacturing readiness.

You will act as a technical authority, leading through expertise rather than direct reports. Critical collaboration with the Product Design and Development Technical Lead , who owns the product technical baseline, is essential for program success.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Baseline Ownership: Develop and oversee the integrated strategy for additive manufacturing processes, downstream machining, tooling, inspection, process qualification, and readiness.

Process Requirements Development: Translate product requirements into manufacturing processes, controls, capabilities, and readiness evidence.

Additive Process Definition: Define additive build orientation, support structures, process limits, distortion controls, post-processing steps, and downstream machining standards.

Design Review Participation: Lead design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-assembly (DFA) assessments, offering actionable recommendations. (Final implementation of recommendations is owned by the Product Design Lead.)

GD&T Analysis and Approval: Assess geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) for manufacturability and inspectability. Provide documented concurrence before the release of engineering definitions.

CAD/CAM Ownership: Develop and optimize CAD/CAM strategies, including multi-axis machining, stock optimization, feeds/speeds, setup reduction, and process sequencing.

Production Tooling and Fixtures: Oversee the design, implementation, acceptance, and shop-floor prove-out of production tooling and fixtures. Collaborate with the Product Design Lead on tooling classifications as needed.

Inspection Methodology: Define, qualify, and implement manufacturing inspection methods, including measurement plans, in-process probing, and process controls. Product attributes, tolerances, and acceptance criteria remain under the ownership of the Product Design Lead.

Process Qualification Evidence: Generate and present process capability data to support material allowables and production margins. (Final design criteria and approval rest with the Product Design Lead.)

Joining Process Development: Lead development and qualification of joining processes, such as welding; partner with the Product Design Lead for approval of joint performance standards.

Manufacturing Readiness: Establish manufacturing process qualification, capability metrics, repeatability, and manufacturing readiness assessments, independent of overall product qualification.

Integrated Problem Solving: Lead resolution of manufacturing issues where process capability or risk is primary; work with the Product Design Lead when decisions affect both technical baselines.

Readiness Recommendations: Provide manufacturing readiness assessments, distinguishing between separate design maturity evaluations made by the Product Design Lead.

Lean and Continuous Improvement: Support lean manufacturing principles, automation readiness, variation reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives. Mentor team members and communicate technical risks and strengths to leadership.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace engineering, or a related STEM discipline, with 14 years of experience; 12 Years with Masters; 10 Years with PhD.

Proven technical leadership in complex manufacturing or process development efforts.

Advanced knowledge and practical application of GD&T in machining, assembly, and inspection.

Strong proficiency in CAD/CAM tools and multi-axis machining methods.

Demonstrated experience in DFM/DFA , production tooling, fixturing, inspection planning, and process qualification.

Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.

Willingness and ability to work regularly in a manufacturing and shop-floor environment.

[Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, if required.]

Preferred Qualifications

Hands-on experience with metal additive manufacturing and downstream machining.

Familiarity with tanks, pressure vessels, domes , or similar aerospace hardware.

Aerospace or defense manufacturing experience.

Proficiency in multi-axis CNC programming and process optimization.

Experience with in-process inspection , metrology, automated manufacturing, and lean principles.

Primary Level Salary Range: $175,000.00 - $262,000.00

The 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.