Engineer Energetics Manufacturing 2/3

About the role

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
• TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

About the role

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 Engineer Energetics Manufacturing 2/3 to join our Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS&C) team in Elkton, Maryland.

The Elkton PS&C facility began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the site designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems for a wide variety of U.S. Government and commercial customers. Elkton also serves as the hub for offsite engineering and test facilities in Ronkonkoma, NY and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Located on the Upper Chesapeake Bay between Philadelphia and Baltimore, Elkton offers access to charming small towns, miles of parks and trails, specialty and antique shops, award‑winning restaurants, and waterfront recreation. Residents can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, birdwatching, horseback riding, and fishing, as well as boating on five rivers, the Chesapeake Bay, and the C&D Canal. More information about the area can be found through Cecil County Tourism.

This position will focus on manufacturing engineering for energetic materials and related assemblies, supporting production operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day manufacturing engineering support to energetic materials production to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
• Develop, maintain, and improve process control documentation, standard work, and operating procedures.
• Plan, design, and launch manufacturing lines for new products and product upgrades, including facility, utilities, and equipment requirements.
• Apply Lean principles (PES, 5S, value stream mapping, standard work, time studies) to improve flow, reduce waste, and increase throughput.
• Perform capacity and line-balancing analyses; use digital modeling/simulation as needed to validate process and line performance.
• Define equipment specifications, lead technical evaluations with suppliers, and coordinate installation, qualification, and start-up.
• Establish TPM/PM requirements and provide technical training to operators and maintenance personnel.
• Analyze yield, scrap, defect, downtime, and cost data; drive corrective actions and continuous improvement to enhance capability and reduce cost.
• Lead or support RCCA, Process FMEA, and SPC efforts to manage risk and ensure stable, capable processes.
• Define safety requirements for new processes, facilities, and equipment in collaboration with Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S).
• Support the design, procurement, and continuous improvement of tooling, fixtures, and test equipment to enhance quality and productivity.

Additional information

This position will be filled at either Engineer Energetics Manufacturing OR Principal Engineer Energetics Manufacturing level based on the selected candidates individual qualifications and experience.

Basic Qualifications

Engineer Energetics Manufacturing 2 (Level 2)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Aerospace, or related discipline) and 2+ years of relevant manufacturing, process, or production engineering experience;
• OR- Master’s degree in Engineering and 0+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing or production environment, preferably with complex hardware or process‑intensive operations.
• Experience with process documentation, work instructions, and/or routings.
• Exposure to Lean manufacturing and/or continuous improvement tools and methods.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams (Operations, Quality, EH&S, Facilities, Supply Chain, Finance).
• Ability to analyze data to support problem solving and decision making (e.g., yield, scrap, defect trends).
• Proficiency with common office and engineering tools (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and basic CAD or modeling tools).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance, as required by business needs.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.

Principal Engineer Energetics Manufacturing (Level 3)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Aerospace, or related discipline) and 5+ years of relevant manufacturing, process, or production engineering experience;
• OR- Master’s degree in Engineering and 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects or initiatives in a manufacturing environment (e.g., NPI line setup, major process improvements, capital equipment projects).
• Proven experience with Lean/continuous improvement tools (e.g., value stream mapping, 5S, Kaizen, standard work, time studies).
• Experience applying statistical methods to manufacturing processes (e.g., SPC, capability analysis, DOE).
• Experience supporting or leading root cause and corrective action (RCCA) efforts.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance; U.S. Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications (for both levels)

• Experience in energetics, ordnance, propellants, or other hazardous materials manufacturing environments.
• Experience with Process FMEA, PFMEA, or similar risk‑analysis methods.
• Experience defining TPM/PM programs and working closely with maintenance organizations.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing for tooling and/or hardware.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems for routings, BOMs, and WIP tracking.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to train and support operators and maintenance personnel.

Primary Level Salary Range

$87,600.00 - $131,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range

$108,800.00 - $163,200.00

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.