2026 Associate Manufacturing Systems Engineer/Manufacturing Systems Engineer

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 has an opening for an Associate Manufacturing Systems Engineer/Manufacturing Systems Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Clearfield, UT. 

As a member of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology team, you will define, develop, implement, and transition new technology solutions to manufacturing to increase efficiency, reduce cost, and improve quality.  Manufacturing concept and process solutions for production applications cover advanced technologies including but not limited to composites fabrication, assembly, automation, inspection, direct part manufacturing, LO technologies, as well as digital capabilities.  The role requires strong interpersonal skills, ability to digest diverse complex technical information quickly, disposition of risk analysis, strong business acumen, and the capability to analyze situations from a systems level, birds eye view. In addition, the role will require the ability to handle multiple projects concurrently in a dynamic/fast-paced work environment.  Budgeting and Project Management skills will be critical foundational elements to properly scope and execute assigned work and manage project efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execution of Contractual Research & Development (CRAD) activities.

• Work with a team of engineers in the ideation, development and deployment of manufacturing concept and process solutions for production applications and advanced technologies, including, but not limited to, composites fabrication, assembly, automation, inspection, direct part manufacturing, LO technologies, and digital capabilities.

• ​This role is specifically looking for previous experience in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, data science, machine vision, and/or computer science.

• Work with Global Supply Chain, Contracts, Pricing, and Small Business to act with speed to evolve and replace baseline technologies.

• Identify and initiate corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure R&D contractual obligations (technical, schedule, and cost) are met and product quality is maintained. 

• Support design concepts, TRL/MRL maturity, and specification requirements to best utilize resources and manufacturing techniques, and ensure processes and procedures are in compliance with regulations.

• Interface with internal and external customers, program offices, engineering disciplines, and executive management. 

• Support draft of technical concept or white papers, perform industry research, and present proposal pitches and/or findings to leadership and stakeholders.

• Act as technical liaison between Subject Matter Experts and support cross-sector collaboration for CRAD portfolio growth and strategic corporate alignment

We are looking for candidates who thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, possess excellent communication skills, can distill unusually complex technical solutions into digestible easy-to-understand formats, and have a passion for innovation and teamwork.

This requisition may be filled at either an Associate Engineer Manufacturing Systems or Engineer Manufacturing Systems level.

Basic Qualifications for an Associate Manufacturing Systems 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 Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution by August 2026

• Be majoring in or having majored in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or similar STEM degree

• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).  Final approved U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special Access may be required to start.

Basic Qualifications for an Manufacturing Systems 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 Master's degree from an accredited institution by August 2026 or a completed Bachelors degree and 2 years of related experience.

• Be majoring in or having majored in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or similar STEM degree. 

• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite).  Final approved U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special Access may be required to start.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.25/4.0 or higher

• Previous internship/co-op or other work experience, leadership & teamwork capabilities, interpersonal communication skills, and activities (professional/community/extracurricular)

• A current and active DoD Secret level security clearance with a periodic re-investigation OR an original adjudication date completed within the last 5 years

• Current Special Program Access

• Demonstrated technical leadership skills, decisiveness, and ability to make sound technical judgments with limited information

• Well-versed, skilled, and disciplined in system engineering processes

• Proposal and technical writing experience

• CAM Experience and Project / Program Management skills (proposal creation, scheduling, budget tracking)

• Ability to travel 15-35% of the time

• Experience with any of the following:

• Working in a Research and Development environment. 

• Development, integration, and deployment of hardware/software of manufacturing systems

• Generating requirements, specifically, the ability to turn vague customer needs or stakeholder inputs into requirements. 

• Early phases of program lifecycle, EMD, prototyping, and pilot programs

• Operating in a dynamic environment of increasing production schedules and high delivery rates

• Production assembly/fabrication including automation, robotics, machine vision, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and/or motion control.

• Working with DoD consortiums, Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, OTA's, cost share agreements, or similar

• Working in Small Business Innovation Research grants, Mentor Protégé Programs, or other similar small business initiatives

• Air Force Research Laboratory, Office of Naval Research, Army Research Laboratory, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or Office of Secretary of Defense

Pay Range:

• Associate Engineer Manufacturing Systems: $63,900 to $95,900

• Engineer Manufacturing Systems: $77,200 to $115,800

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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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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