2026 Associate Manufacturing Engineer - STRIKE at Northrop… · United…

Summary: Northrop Grumman is a leading aerospace and defense technology company, seeking an Associate Manufacturing Engineer to join their team. The role involves providing guidance on manufacturing techniques, participating in tool design reviews, and defining sequences of operations for product builds to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Responsibilities: - 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 Required Qualifications: - Be completing or has completed their Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution by September 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 U.S. Government Secret Clearance. Final approved U.S. Government Secret Clearance is required (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) - Final approved Program Special Access may be required to start - 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 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 Required Skills: Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Composites, Metallic Structures, Coatings Application, Assembly Processes, CAD Software, Blueprint Interpretation, 3D Modeling, NX CAD, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Geometric Dimensioning, Tolerancing (GD&T), Composite Fabrication, Structural Engineering Drawings, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Design for Manufacturing (DfM) Benefits: Health insurance coverage, Life and disability insurance, Savings plan, Company paid holidays, Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business