Tooling Engineer - Energetics Manufacturing 4

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.

We’re looking for a Tooling Engineer – Energetics Manufacturing (Level 4) to join our Operations Engineering team at our Propulsion Systems & Controls (PS&C) facility in Elkton, Maryland.

Here you’ll

• Own and lead the tooling strategy and implementation that enable our propulsion and ordnance manufacturing operations
• Apply extensive technical expertise across tooling, mechanical design, and energetics manufacturing while collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, test, quality, and safety
• Serve as a prime technical contact for major programs and customers on significant tooling and manufacturing matters
• Be part of a culture that values curiosity, diverse perspectives, and bringing your whole self to work

Our Elkton PS&C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems for a wide range of Government and commercial customers, and serves as the engineering hub for offsite facilities in Ronkonkoma, NY and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Why Elkton?

Elkton, Maryland sits on the Upper Chesapeake Bay, roughly midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore. It offers parks, trails, and water access for hiking, biking, camping, boating, and fishing. If you like the idea of leaving a high-impact engineering role and being on a trail or near the water in minutes, Elkton is a great fit.

What You’ll Do

As a Level 4 Tooling Engineer, you will apply extensive technical expertise and work with minimal direction to lead the engineering and design of production tooling for energetic aerospace propulsion systems. You will:

• Serve as the primary technical authority for molds, lifting devices, handling fixtures, test fixtures, and other complex tooling supporting energetic components and assemblies
• Develop tooling concepts that balance safety, manufacturability, ergonomics, quality, cost, and schedule across multiple programs and lines
• Translate requirements into robust, build-ready tooling designs using CAD and 3D modeling tools, then drive those designs through fabrication and into production
• Ensure designs comply with Hazardous Operations Procedures (HOPS) and formal safety requirements, incorporating hazard analyses, interlocks, guarding, and human-factors considerations
• Work independently with considerable latitude in determining technical objectives and solution approaches; your work is reviewed primarily from a long-term results perspective
• Coordinate tooling fabrication and integration with internal shops and external suppliers, monitoring progress and resolving technical or safety-related issues
• Support tool introduction to production, including qualification, checkout, and first-article use, verifying performance against design intent, safety, and quality expectations
• Represent tooling and energetics manufacturing in customer and supplier discussions, design and safety reviews, and readiness events
• Identify and implement improvements to existing tooling focused on safety, ergonomics, reliability, and maintainability

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline and 8 years of relevant experience OR a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline and 6 years of relevant experience OR a PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline and 4 years of relevant experience.
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.
• Extensive experience in mechanical design with a strong focus on production tooling, fixtures, or special test equipment.
• Demonstrable communication skills with a track record of presenting technical approaches, risks, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Experience working in and/or leading integrated product or project teams.
• Familiarity with machine shop fabrication practices, manufacturing methods, and material selection for tooling.
• Working knowledge of stress calculations for support structures and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (ASME Y14.5M).
• Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, Word, CAD, and 3D modeling tools (e.g., Siemens NX or similar).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter (TcUA).
• Prior manufacturing or production floor experience in energetics, aerospace, or defense.
• Experience leading cross-functional design, safety, or tooling readiness reviews.
• Background in composites and rubber molding processes and tooling.
• Active Secret clearance.

Primary Level Salary Range

$135,800.00 - $203,600.00

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.