2026 Associate Manufacturing Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret 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 Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an opening for an Associate Manufacturing Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. The position requires on-site support located in Palmdale, CA where technology and teamwork come together. The selected candidate will become part of Northrop Grummans Manufacturing Engineering Team working in a collaborative environment while promoting a positive and proactive teamwork environment. Manufacturing Engineering job duties involve the following: Provide guidance to Engineering regarding design concepts to ensure the best manufacturing technique is being used to meet the Engineering design Participate in tool design reviews to ensure tools are feasible and reduce build times and program costs during assembly Define sequence of operations for product builds, investigate and initiate corrective actions and improvements that involve non-conforming product and identify improvement opportunities in areas that require producibility and affordability initiatives Provide liaison support for Engineering definition to influence low production costs for integrated assembly related to electrical, hydraulics, fuels, fluids and propulsion systems Manufacturing Engineers for Aeronautics Systems are expected to provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex and difficult problems. They are problem solvers who have the ability to provide results that are innovative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives. We seek Manufacturing Engineers that use a unique skill set that includes a hands-on approach and act as the technical representative voice for the Manufacturing organization. Basic Qualifications for an Associate Manufacturing Engineer: A candidate, regardless of age and hiring source, must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must: Be completing or has completed their Bachelors degree from an accredited institution by 2026. Be majoring in or having majored in Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or similar STEM degree. Foundational understanding of manufacturing operations, including composites, metallic structures, coatings application, and assembly processes. Proven ability to interface and communicate effectively with multiple levels of leadership, clients, and vendors. Familiarity with: (1) CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX), (2) reviewing and interpreting Blueprints and 3-D models. Active DoD Clearance. Final approved U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) is required. Ability to work 1st shift (5:00 am 3:30 pm) or 2nd shift (4:12 pm 2:42 am); and any work schedule (times may vary) as determined by business needs. Availability for up to 10% travel. Physical Demands: Liaison Manufacturing Engineer The following physical demands are essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. Environmental Navigation: Regularly move through and operate within manufacturing environments, including traversing units/products, utilizing tooling, stands, ladders, and steps while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE). Stationary Tasks: Remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) at a workstation for extended periods, including up to 10-hour shifts. Mobility & Positioning: Frequently position self to inspect or work on equipment by bending, kneeling, or crouching. Confined Spaces: Occasionally enter and operate in confined spaces. Protective Equipment: Adhere to safety protocols by wearing PPE, including steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and protective aprons. Respirator Requirement: Ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment. This requires maintaining minimal facial hair for a proper seal. Facility Access: Ability to navigate all areas of the facility and access all production machinery. Lifting: Occasionally move or transport objects weighing up to 15 pounds. Physical Demands: BTP Manufacturing Engineer The following physical demands are essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. Stationary Tasks: Remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) at a workstation for extended periods, including up to 10-hour shifts. Mobility & Positioning: Occasionally position self to inspect or work on equipment by bending, kneeling, or crouching. Protective Equipment: Adhere to safety protocols by wearing PPE, including steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and protective aprons. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering or Engineering Technology. Hands-on Production Expertise: Engineering Internships and/or manufacturing related work experience, within high-rate production assembly lines, that demonstrates the skill and ability to perform moderately complex professional tasks and provides solutions to a variety of technical problems of increasing scope and complexity as assigned. Digital Thread: Experience utilizing NX for CAD design and CPLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems to manage technical data and design revisions. GD&T Knowledge: Applied knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5 standards to ensure manufacturing precision. Composites: Knowledge of composite fabrication (e.g., hand layup, resin infusion, or autoclave curing) and material properties. Structures: Ability to interpret complex 2D/3D engineering drawings and specifications for structural integrity. Systems: Familiarity with integrating technical solutions across multiple disciplines and maintaining manufacturing system requirements. Digital Manufacturing Systems (ERP/MES): Experience executing workflows within Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to track real-time production and maintain digital work instructions. Design for Manufacturing (DfM) & Innovation: Ability to implement innovative techniques to optimize product designs and tooling, improving cycle times and first-pass yield. Integrated Systems Engineering: Familiarity with integrating technical solutions across multiple engineering disciplines and maintaining precise manufacturing system requirements. Works under general direction: Independently determines and develops approach to solutions and provides feedback to supervision Pay Range Associate Manufacturing Engineer: $69,400 - $104,000 Campusjobs Primary Level Salary Range: $69,400.00 - $104,000.00 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. Existing Applicants: Need to update your contact information or email address? Once logged in, click on Candidate Home in the upper right corner and scroll to the bottom of that screen to see buttons for: Update Contact information to update your legal name, address, and phone number Edit Account Settings to edit your email address We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.