Principal Engineer Manufacturing - job 2 of 2

As a Principal Engineer Manufacturing at Northrop Grumman, you will be responsible for technical ownership of processes and optimization of production lines. This includes creating and maintaining manufacturing Work Orders and managing non-conforming parts through our Manufacturing Execution System. You'll be accountable for quality, safety, and delivery metrics while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive digital transformation initiatives.

To qualify for the Principal Engineer Manufacturing role at Northrop Grumman, candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree with at least five years of relevant experience in engineering or manufacturing operations, or a Master’s degree with three years of related experience. An additional four years of professional-level experience may also substitute for a degree. US citizenship and the ability to obtain a Department of Defense secret clearance is essential.

While the basic qualifications focus on engineering backgrounds, preferred candidates for the Principal Engineer Manufacturing role at Northrop Grumman should have experience in aerospace or defense products, ideally with knowledge of Electro-Optical Infrared systems and laser technologies. Familiarity with Root Cause Corrective Action and Continuous Improvement methodologies will also be beneficial.

In the Principal Engineer Manufacturing position at Northrop Grumman, you'll likely work with several key software systems, including Siemens Teamcenter for Product Lifecycle Management, as well as SAP S/4 HANA Cloud ERP for resource planning. Knowledge of CREO CAD software and proficiency in MS Office tools such as Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is also important.

The Principal Engineer Manufacturing at Northrop Grumman plays a crucial role by leading technical problem-solving initiatives and fostering a collaborative team environment. By empowering team members and encouraging shared responsibility, you'll help ensure successful project outcomes while continuously seeking process improvements and innovation.

When discussing your experience, highlight specific manufacturing processes you've worked with and how they relate to the responsibilities at Northrop Grumman. Share examples where you improved efficiency, quality, or safety in production settings, illustrating your problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

For this question, it's important to describe your approach to identifying, analyzing, and addressing non-conforming parts. Emphasize your analytical skills and decision-making process, explaining how you maintain quality standards while minimizing production disruptions.

Be ready to discuss specific software programs you've used, such as Siemens Teamcenter, SAP S/4 HANA Cloud ERP, or CREO. Detail your experience with these tools, particularly how they enhanced your efficiency in managing projects and workflows in manufacturing settings.

Share a story about a project where you applied lean manufacturing principles. Discuss the challenges faced, the solutions you implemented, and the impact this had on the overall production process, including improved cost, time, or resource efficiency.

Explain your organizational strategies for managing multiple projects simultaneously. Highlight your time-management skills, such as using prioritization matrices or project management tools, demonstrating how you stay focused and deliver on targets while adapting to changing conditions.

Discuss your background in Continuous Improvement initiatives, mentioning specific methodologies like Six Sigma or Lean. Provide details on how these methodologies drove process enhancements and quantifiable results within your previous roles.

Focus on your communication skills and your ability to simplify complex ideas. Provide an example where you effectively communicated a technical concept to non-engineers, ensuring clarity while bridging gaps in understanding to facilitate collaboration.

Share techniques you've used to enhance team collaboration, such as regular check-ins, creating transparent lines of communication, or team-building activities. Describe how you encourage team involvement and ensure all voices are heard in the decision-making process.

Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to recount a significant challenge. Make sure your response outlines the context, your specific responsibilities in resolving the issue, and the positive outcome that arose from your efforts.

Discuss your understanding of safety and quality standards applicable to the manufacturing industry. Explain how you implement training programs, regular audits, and proactive measures to ensure these standards are consistently met throughout the production process.