Principal Engineer Manufacturing
Listed on 2026-08-27
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Engineering
Quality Engineering, Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma -
Manufacturing / Production
Quality Engineering, Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma
Principal Engineer Manufacturing
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 Engineer Manufacturing, based out of Sunnyvale, CA.
What you will get to do:
- Lead, track, execute, and audit Site‑Wide 5S Implementation
- Design, Launch, and Manage the I‑Card (Improvement Idea) Suggestion Program
- Facilitate Idea Implementation
- Safety & Compliance Integration
- Performance Measurement & Continuous Feedback
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Coaching & Cultural Development
- Documentation & Reporting
- Continuous‑Improvement (CI) Repository System
Position Summary / Responsibilities:
- Lead site‑wide 5S implementation: develop standards, run audits, train teams, and drive corrective actions.
- Design, launch, and manage the I‑Card (Improvement Idea) suggestion program, from submission workflow to performance reporting and incentives.
- Facilitate rapid idea implementation: prioritize high‑impact suggestions, run pilots, scale successes, and update shop operating plans and SOPs.
- Integrate safety and compliance into all 5S and I‑Card activities, conducting risk assessments and promoting a safety‑first culture.
- Define and track KPIs for 5S, suggestion systems, etc., delivering dashboards and continuous‑feedback loops to senior leadership.
- Coach supervisors and lean champions, partner with cross‑functional teams, and maintain comprehensive documentation and executive reports.
- Design and maintain a Central Repository for all continuous‑improvement documentation (projects, templates, SOPs, lessons learned).
- Serve as the subject‑matter expert for audit readiness, providing quick access to documented CI evidence.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Engineer Manufacturing:
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related engineering degree.
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in manufacturing/production improvement, capacity planning, or industrial engineering roles.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Experience with data visualizations and reporting.
- Ability to obtain a U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
Preferred Qualifications for Principal Engineer Manufacturing:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM in Mechanical Engineering.
- Test Facility and/or Power Generation/Chemical Facility operational experience.
- Design Software Acuity (AutoCAD, Cero, Solidworks, or equivalent).
- Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt) or equivalent continuous improvement certification
- Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
What We Can Offer You :
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment that 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: $ - $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…
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