Skip to main content
Open main menu

Principal/Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining and Fabrication

Northrop Grumman

Principal/Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining and Fabrication with Northrop Grumman in Virginia-Charlottesville, paying $89,400–$134,200 a year ($42.98–$64.52 an hour). Posted Sep 9, 2026; no longer accepting applications.

Apply for this job

At a glance

Pay
$89,400–$134,200 a year ($42.98–$64.52 an hour)
Location
Virginia-Charlottesville
Employment type
Full-time
Employer
Northrop Grumman (government contractor)
Posted
Sep 9, 2026
Status
No longer accepting applications
Who can apply
U.S. citizens; Secret clearance required

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: No
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 Systems is looking for you to join our team as a  Principal or Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer  based at our  Charlottesville, VA campus.

T
he Manufacturing Engineer will join the Machining and Fabrication Manufacturing Engineering Team within the Multidomain Sensing, Targeting and Survivability Division and will develop and maintain technical solutions for the manufacturing of machined/fabricated components using milling, sheet metal, welding, and forming equipment.
This position will also interact with stakeholders and manufacturing leadership for metrics reporting and issue resolution.

What You'll Get To Do:
Lead the development and improvement of manufacturing processes and procedures for complex machined components using milling, sheet metal forming, welding, and coating processes

Design sequence of operations and specifies procedures for the fabrication of parts, tools, equipment and other functions affecting product performance
Perform continuous improvement activities focused on cost/schedule savings during manufacturing

Perform root cause and corrective action plans using industry standard techniques

Provide guidance to engineering regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques
Interface directly with operators, cell supervisors and others on the shop floor in a production environment

Travel to suppliers as required, to achieve positive outcomes

Foster a collaborative culture that sustains momentum around engagement, problem solving, and continuous improvement

Serve as a lead role for Manufacturing Engineering Department and a role model for NG Values

This position may be filled at a level 3 (Principal) or 4 (Senior Principal)
based on the qualifications below.

This position is on site only, with a 7:00AM start time.

#MPR

Basic Qualifications for the Principal Manufacturing Engineer:

Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and candidates with an Associate's degree and a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering will also be considered.
Experience with manufacturing, or process design, of machined and fabricated components from raw material

Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings
Experience in CAD
and
CAM software

Experience with shop floor support

Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance
US Citizenship is required.

Basic Qualifications for the Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer:

Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree and a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and candidates with an Associate's degree and a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering will also be considered.
Experience with manufacturing, or process design, of machined and fabricated components from raw material

Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings
Experience in CAD
and
CAM software

Experience with shop floor support

Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance
US Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications for Both Levels:

Bachelor's Degree in a related STEM field
Experience with ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Management System certification process

Experience with leading capability reviews for new incoming work into a manufacturing plant

Experience with leading process development and improvement within area of expertise

Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI) procedures

Experience using Siemens Teamcenter PLM

Experience facilitating Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) activities

Experience with model based designs and/or digital transformation

Defense industry experience

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt
Experience auditing and improving manufacturing processes

Experience in any of the following software: SigmaNest, MasterCAM, Siemens NX, AutoCAD, SAP

Experience with 5-axis CAM programming

What We Can Offer You:
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.
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.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and candidates with an Associate's degree and a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering will also be considered. Experience with manufacturing, or process design, of machined and fabricated components from raw material Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings Experience in CAD and CAM software Experience with shop floor support Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance US Citizenship is required. Basic Qualifications for the Senior Principal Manufacturing Engineer: Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering. Candidates with a Master's degree and a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and candidates with an Associate's degree and a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering will also be considered. Experience with manufacturing, or process design, of machined and fabricated components from raw material Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings Experience in CAD and CAM software Experience with shop floor support Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance US Citizenship is required.

Newest government jobs