Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer – Senior Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman

. Define, develop, implement, and transition advanced manufacturing technology solutions .

Posted 9/29/2026full-timePalmdale • California • United StatesSenior💰 $114,000 - $213,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in advanced manufacturing technology solutions, project management, and process development while ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. Proficient in integrating digital manufacturing techniques and managing stakeholder relationships to achieve project objectives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Advanced Manufacturing Technology SolutionsProject Management ExperienceProcess Development and ControlsDigital Manufacturing ExperienceSystems Engineering Processes

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Process DevelopmentProject ManagementTechnical LeadershipSystems IntegrationManufacturing OperationsTechnical WritingDigital TransformationCAM ExperienceNetwork ArchitectureAugmented Reality/Virtual Reality

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsSound JudgmentDecisiveness in Ambiguous Situations

Tools & Technologies

Siemens NXTcECPLMSAPManufacturing Execution SystemsMicrosoft Office SuiteHoloLens 1HoloLens 2

Certifications & Qualifications

U.S. Government Secret ClearanceProgram Special Access

Industry Keywords

Composites FabricationAutomationInspectionDirect Part ManufacturingLow Observable TechnologiesDigital ManufacturingHigh-Rate Production EnvironmentsIPT CollaborationU.S. Air ForceU.S. Navy

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AssemblyIoT

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define, develop, implement, and transition advanced manufacturing technology solutions
Improve efficiency, reduce cost, and enhance quality for production applications
Support advanced manufacturing areas including composites fabrication, assembly, automation, inspection, direct part manufacturing, low observable technologies, and digital manufacturing
Incorporate requirements into development plans
Evaluate process and tool performance to verify effectiveness
Identify issues and initiate corrective actions
Ensure technical, schedule, and cost objectives are achieved while maintaining product quality
Provide guidance on design concepts, TRL/MRL maturity, and specification requirements
Recommend effective use of manufacturing techniques and resources
Ensure processes and procedures comply with applicable regulations and standards
Interface with internal and external customers, program offices, engineering teams, and executive leadership
Manage multiple projects concurrently
Apply budgeting and project management skills to scope, execute, and track project efforts

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 4 years of experience, or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of experience, or PhD in a STEM discipline with 0 years of experience for Principal level
Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8 years of experience, or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 6 years of experience, or PhD in a STEM discipline with 4 years of experience for Sr. Principal level
Experience working with IPTs, stakeholders, and customers such as the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy
Project or program management experience, including proposal development, scheduling, and budget tracking
Strong familiarity with process development and process controls
Ability to travel 20–35%
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance and Program Special access within a reasonable period of time
Current active U.S. Government Secret clearance with recent periodic reinvestigation or original adjudication preferred
Current Program Special access preferred
Demonstrated technical leadership, sound judgment, and decisiveness in ambiguous or fast-moving situations
Strong understanding of systems engineering processes
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project, and Visio
Experience developing, integrating, and deploying network architecture and digital infrastructure
Experience translating broad customer or stakeholder needs into clear technical requirements
Proposal experience and involvement in early phases of the program lifecycle
Advanced communication systems experience
Experience operating in high-rate production environments with increasing schedules and delivery demands
Experience with Siemens NX, TcE, CPLM, SAP, and Manufacturing Execution Systems
CAM experience
Experience integrating hardware and software within manufacturing systems
Experience in production assembly or fabrication environments, including digital transformation, augmented reality/virtual reality, systems integration, industrial IoT, RFID, or manufacturing operations
Extensive experience with edge user devices such as HoloLens 1, HoloLens 2, and tablets
Working knowledge of classified information systems infrastructure
Digital manufacturing experience
Architecture, design, and integration experience for engineering systems and software
Strong technical writing skills
U.S. Citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation assistance may be available
Overtime eligibility may be available depending on the position
Shift differential may be available depending on the position
Discretionary bonus may be available
Health insurance coverage
Life and disability insurance
Savings plan
Company-paid holidays
Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business