Principal or Senior Principal Industrial Engineer

About the role

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
• 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.

At the heart of who we are, Northrop Grumman is a leading American manufacturing company delivering advanced technologies in support of national security. Our manufacturing operations in Waynesboro, Virginia support production of advanced electronics, radar, and communication systems within our broader portfolio of defense capabilities. Our teams work collaboratively to ensure manufacturing excellence, production readiness, and continuous improvement across programs.

A current clearance is NOT required to apply to and interview for this job.

We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal Industrial Engineer or a Senior Principal Industrial Engineer to support production and manufacturing operations at our Central Virginia manufacturing facilities.

What You’ll Get to Do

• As a hands-on Industrial Engineer you will ensure the efficient and effective flow of products through our advanced manufacturing facilities.
• You will leverage your expertise in simulation and process optimization to develop scalable models and create innovative plant layouts.
• Leading continuous improvement initiatives, you will enhance process performance and standardization while driving cost control and resource management.

Your ability to translate complex business questions into actionable data insights and visualizations will support pivotal decision-making. Additionally, you will play a key role in training and mentoring team members, contributing to knowledge sharing, and leading cross-functional projects to meet our global mission objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and use simulation models to optimize plant configurations, process flows, and product routing, ensuring efficient system flow between cells on-site.
• Analyze lead times, queue times, work-in-process, cycle times, and throughput to meet customer demand.
• Lead Continuous Improvement activities (5-S, VSM, Kaizen, 6-Sigma) and develop standardized processes.
• Conduct cost control and inventory studies, and improve labor performance and resource loading.
• Translate business questions into actionable modeling and analysis using tools like Python, R, Power BI, Tableau, etc.
• Create and interpret data visualizations to support decision-making.
• Coordinate facility capital plan execution.

Additional information

We are looking for candidates who thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, possess excellent communication skills, and have a passion for innovation and teamwork.

This job requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance plus program clearance. A current clearance is NOT required to apply to and interview for this job. If you do accept an offer for this position we will start the clearance process immediately, and your start date will be confirmed once you are granted an Interim Secret clearance. The average time to obtain an Interim Secret clearance is about 30 days.

This position is contingent upon proposal/task award.

This requisition may be filled as a Principal Industrial Engineer or a Senior Principal Industrial Engineer.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Industrial Engineer

• Bachelor's degree or higher in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree only require a minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
• Industrial Engineering or Manufacturing experience.
• Experience with advanced business systems applications in IE, including but not limited to MES, SAP, Tableau.
• Experience with statistics, data analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and visualization.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret level security clearance plus program clearance
• Interim Secret clearance is required to start.
• US Citizenship is required.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Basic Qualifications for a Senior Principal Industrial Engineer

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree only require a minimum of 6 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
• US Citizenship is required.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in manufacturing simulations with tools such as Process Simulate, Plant Simulate, and NX Line Designer (or equivalent modeling software).
• Experience with improving manufacturing workflow using optimization, modeling, or simulation methods.
• Technical experience in manufacturing/production environment in defense, aerospace, or automotive industries.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Atlassian Jira).
• Lean Six-Sigma green belt.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance.

Pay and benefits

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following

Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Primary Level Salary Range

$89,400.00 - $134,200.00

Secondary Level Salary Range

$111,700.00 - $167,500.00

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.