Staff Production Engineer

Northrop Grumman is currently seeking an experienced Staff (Level 5) production Engineer to provide manufacturing and process‑engineering technical expertise, project management, and support for our fast‑growing medium‑caliber ammunition production programs in our Plymouth, MN offices.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, Production Engineering, this role is responsible for delivering end‑to‑end manufacturing engineering support for electromechanical fuzes for our proximity, guided, and advanced ammunition technology programs, with an emphasis on design for manufacturability (DFM), design for assembly (DFA), and planning for increased production rates and capacity.

The engineer will collaborate with project teams to streamline designs for enhanced manufacturability and automation, integrating cutting‑edge technologies such as robotics, advanced inspection, vision systems, and data analytics to ensure rapid, cost‑effective delivery of high‑quality products.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with project teams to coordinate design‑for‑manufacturability (DFM), design‑for‑assembly (DFA), and automation opportunities for new product development efforts and existing products.

• Leverage the latest technologies including robotics, torque tools, vision / inspection systems, advanced testing, and data analytics to ensure high‑quality, cost‑effective products are released to market as quickly as possible.

• Aid in the design of production solutions, including automation cells, fixtures, and test stations, to achieve optimal, safe production output and quality.

• Develop and execute plans to support increased production volumes, including capacity analysis, line balancing, equipment selection, and production‑rate ramp‑up strategies.

• Provide on‑site troubleshooting, maintenance, repairs, and upgrades for automation cells and associated equipment as needed.

• Develop manufacturing processes and documentation that ensure hardware and test articles meet engineering and configuration requirements.

• Coordinate builds of electromechanical assemblies to support programs that are in engineering and manufacturing development as well as production.

• Contribute to completion of specific program and project milestones.

• Interface with design engineering to create products that are optimized for assembly and long‑term producibility.

• Disposition discrepant hardware; support and/or lead failure investigations, root‑cause determination, and corrective‑action implementation.

• Communicate manufacturing plans and processes to internal and external customers through Manufacturing Readiness reviews.

• Conceptualize and implement continuous‑improvement projects internally and with suppliers, focusing on yield, throughput, and cost reduction.

• Communicate project status and issues to internal management.

• Coordinate manufacturing efforts between internal functional disciplines including Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, and Test.

• Communicate product requirements and collaborate with key suppliers to manage delivery of high‑quality components and assemblies to be utilized in assembly of final product.

• Implement and manage strong manufacturing‑engineering principles to ensure robust manufacturing processes and high product quality. Examples include SPC, P‑FMEA, mistake proofing, gage R&R, equipment and gage qualifications, design for assembly, and First Article Inspections.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a STEM field & 12+ years of related engineering experience, OR a masters degree in a STEM field & 10 years of related experience, OR a PhD in a STEM field & 9 years of related experience

• Experience working and communicating with customers, program management, and engineering management.

• Technical understanding of mechanical mechanisms, electromechanical mechanisms, manufacturing processes, metal fabrication, and standard assembly processes.

• Applies knowledge of engineering and scientific methods, theories, and research techniques in the disciplined investigation and solution of technical problems.

• Experience and proficiency in working with multiple projects simultaneously.

• Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. (US citizenship required)

Preferred Qualifications

• Mechanical engineering degree

• 8 years of experience in a design and manufacturing environment relevant to the typical duties listed above.

• Experience with automation and controls, including robotics and controls platforms (Allen‑Bradley, Epson / Fanuc robots, LabVIEW, vision systems, etc.).

• Ability to guide successful completion of significant tasks and provide work direction, mentoring, and coordination of other technical team members.

• Experience integrating cutting‑edge technologies such as robotics, advanced inspection, vision systems, and data‑analytics tools (Kepware, Thingworx, Power BI) into manufacturing environments.

• Demonstrated experience in DFM/DFA and production‑rate ramp‑up, including capacity planning and line optimization.

• Experience in managing key suppliers to deliver quality components to be used in the assembly of final product.

• Experience working in the defense industry and/or with U.S. Government contracts.

• Experience in Creo (3D CAD) and Teamcenter.

• Proficiency in developing and utilizing electronic work instructions for manufacturing processes, with experience in ERP and MES systems.

• Experience in the production of electronic assemblies, including Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) using Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines, adhering to industry best practices.