Posted today
Top Secret
$176,100 - $305,900
None
Linthicum Heights, MD (On-Site/Office)
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE TYPE: None
TRAVEL: Yes, 50% of the Time
Description
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.
The Director 1 Process Excellence is the senior champion for Manufacturing Engineering (ME), Industrial Engineering (IE), and Lean Manufacturing across our production network. Reporting to the VP of Quality, Manufacturing and Infrastructure, this role develops and executes the engineering driven, lean focused roadmap that delivers higher quality, higher productivity, lower cost, and safer workplaces. The incumbent works hand-in-hand with site, division and sector manufacturing, product development, quality, supply chain, and IT to embed lean principles and engineering best practices into every step of the value stream-from concept to high volume production. This position can be located at Huntsville, AL; Roy, UT; Linthicum, MD; or McLean, VA.
Sector QM&I Director, Process Excellence responsibilities:
Manufacturing Engineering
• Process Design & Scale-Up - Lead the design, qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and scale-up of manufacturing processes, equipment, fixtures, and tooling for new products and product revisions.
• Technology Transfer - Own the NPI hand-over from R&D to the shop floor, ensuring cost, cycle-time, and yield targets are met.
• Equipment Optimization - Drive retrofits, automation upgrades, and line redesigns that improve OEE and reduce change-over time (SMED).
• Standardization - Create and maintain robust work instructions, SOPs, and process specifications that are the "single source of truth" for production.
Industrial Engineering
• Capacity Planning & Line Balancing - Perform takt-time analysis, line balancing, and capacity modeling to meet forecast demand while minimizing labor and equipment bottlenecks.
• Facility Layout & Flow - Design/optimize plant layouts, cellular manufacturing cells, and material flow (value-stream mapping) for maximum efficiency and minimal handling.
• Simulation & Digital Twins - Use discrete-event simulation, digital twin tools, and data analytics to evaluate "what-if" scenarios before physical changes are made.
• Work Study & Motion Analysis - Conduct time-studies, method-studies, and ergonomic assessments to set standard labor times and reduce fatigue.
Lean Manufacturing (Continuous Improvement)
• Lean System Architecture - Build and sustain a plant-wide lean system (5S, visual management, pull systems, Kanban, JIT) tailored to each operation.
• Six Sigma & Kaizen - Lead a certified Black-Belt/Green-Belt program, prioritize high-impact projects, and ensure statistically-validated results (DEFECT-Reduction, Cycle-Time, Cost).
• Hoshin Kanri Planning - Translate corporate strategic goals into annual/quarterly lean objectives; cascade metrics down to the shop floor.
• Gemba Leadership - Conduct daily Gemba walks, coaching frontline supervisors on problem-solving (A3, 5-Why) and rapid improvement cycles.
People & Culture
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing ME/IE/Lean team (engineers, analysts, facilitators).
• Mentor plant leaders and front-line teams in lean thinking, data-driven decision making, and change management.
• Create a "continuous-improvement as a habit" culture measured by participation rates and sustained gains.
Data, Metrics & Digital Enablement
• Define the KPI set for ME, IE, and Lean (OEE, SCRAP, First-Pass Yield, Labor Hours per Unit, Change-over Time).
• Integrate MES/ERP data streams into real-time dashboards; ensure data integrity for decision making.
• Champion the use of advanced analytics (statistical process control, predictive maintenance, AI) to pre-empt losses.
Financial Stewardship
• Build business cases (ROI, payback) for all engineering and lean projects; track actual savings vs. target.
• Partner with Finance to embed process costs into product costing and margin analysis.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
• Embed EHS and Quality requirements (ISO/TS, GMP, IATF) into every process design and lean activity.
• Conduct risk assessments (PFMEA, Process Hazard Analysis) and drive corrective actions promptly.
The successful candidate will possess the following competencies and skills:
Basic Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Primary Level Salary Range: $176,100.00 - $305,900.00
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 market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
CLEARANCE TYPE: None
TRAVEL: Yes, 50% of the Time
Description
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.
The Director 1 Process Excellence is the senior champion for Manufacturing Engineering (ME), Industrial Engineering (IE), and Lean Manufacturing across our production network. Reporting to the VP of Quality, Manufacturing and Infrastructure, this role develops and executes the engineering driven, lean focused roadmap that delivers higher quality, higher productivity, lower cost, and safer workplaces. The incumbent works hand-in-hand with site, division and sector manufacturing, product development, quality, supply chain, and IT to embed lean principles and engineering best practices into every step of the value stream-from concept to high volume production. This position can be located at Huntsville, AL; Roy, UT; Linthicum, MD; or McLean, VA.
Sector QM&I Director, Process Excellence responsibilities:
Manufacturing Engineering
• Process Design & Scale-Up - Lead the design, qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and scale-up of manufacturing processes, equipment, fixtures, and tooling for new products and product revisions.
• Technology Transfer - Own the NPI hand-over from R&D to the shop floor, ensuring cost, cycle-time, and yield targets are met.
• Equipment Optimization - Drive retrofits, automation upgrades, and line redesigns that improve OEE and reduce change-over time (SMED).
• Standardization - Create and maintain robust work instructions, SOPs, and process specifications that are the "single source of truth" for production.
Industrial Engineering
• Capacity Planning & Line Balancing - Perform takt-time analysis, line balancing, and capacity modeling to meet forecast demand while minimizing labor and equipment bottlenecks.
• Facility Layout & Flow - Design/optimize plant layouts, cellular manufacturing cells, and material flow (value-stream mapping) for maximum efficiency and minimal handling.
• Simulation & Digital Twins - Use discrete-event simulation, digital twin tools, and data analytics to evaluate "what-if" scenarios before physical changes are made.
• Work Study & Motion Analysis - Conduct time-studies, method-studies, and ergonomic assessments to set standard labor times and reduce fatigue.
Lean Manufacturing (Continuous Improvement)
• Lean System Architecture - Build and sustain a plant-wide lean system (5S, visual management, pull systems, Kanban, JIT) tailored to each operation.
• Six Sigma & Kaizen - Lead a certified Black-Belt/Green-Belt program, prioritize high-impact projects, and ensure statistically-validated results (DEFECT-Reduction, Cycle-Time, Cost).
• Hoshin Kanri Planning - Translate corporate strategic goals into annual/quarterly lean objectives; cascade metrics down to the shop floor.
• Gemba Leadership - Conduct daily Gemba walks, coaching frontline supervisors on problem-solving (A3, 5-Why) and rapid improvement cycles.
People & Culture
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing ME/IE/Lean team (engineers, analysts, facilitators).
• Mentor plant leaders and front-line teams in lean thinking, data-driven decision making, and change management.
• Create a "continuous-improvement as a habit" culture measured by participation rates and sustained gains.
Data, Metrics & Digital Enablement
• Define the KPI set for ME, IE, and Lean (OEE, SCRAP, First-Pass Yield, Labor Hours per Unit, Change-over Time).
• Integrate MES/ERP data streams into real-time dashboards; ensure data integrity for decision making.
• Champion the use of advanced analytics (statistical process control, predictive maintenance, AI) to pre-empt losses.
Financial Stewardship
• Build business cases (ROI, payback) for all engineering and lean projects; track actual savings vs. target.
• Partner with Finance to embed process costs into product costing and margin analysis.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
• Embed EHS and Quality requirements (ISO/TS, GMP, IATF) into every process design and lean activity.
• Conduct risk assessments (PFMEA, Process Hazard Analysis) and drive corrective actions promptly.
The successful candidate will possess the following competencies and skills:
- Deep knowledge of Manufacturing Engineering: process design, automation, tooling, and equipment qualification.
- Strong Industrial Engineering fundamentals: line balancing, capacity planning, layout design, simulation.
- Mastery of Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma (Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt or equivalent).
- Advanced statistical analysis (Minitab, JMP, R, Python) and data visualization (Power BI, Tableau).
- Ability to turn raw production data into actionable improvement plans.
- Coaching/mentoring skillset to develop engineering and shop-floor talent.
- Experience delivering multi-site engineering or lean programs on time and within budget
- Clear, concise written and verbal communication; capable of presenting technical concepts to executives and frontline workers alike.
- Understanding of cost structures, margin drivers, and supply-chain dynamics in a high-mix, high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Curiosity for emerging manufacturing technologies (robotics, additive manufacturing, AI/ML) and a track record of scaling them.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree with 10 plus years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with 8 plus years of relevant experience
- 10 plus years progressive experience in manufacturing/industrial engineering.
- At least 5 years in a leadership role focused on lean/continuous improvement.
- Certified Lean Practitioner
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional, matrixed teams and to influence senior leadership without direct authority.
- Proven ability to build and maintain high performing teams.
- Proven ability to take ownership and be accountable with an "owners" mindset.
- Strong interpersonal skills, an exceptional self-starter attitude, and the ability to produce in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Strong business/financial acumen, keen organizational skills, and excellent problem-solving ability.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance up to Top Secret
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree (MBA, Engineering Management, or related)
- Experience leading global, multi-plant engineering and lean programs.
- Prior exposure to Industry 4.0 initiatives (IoT, digital twins).
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt; PMP; APICS CPIM/CSCP.
- Active Top Secret Clearance
Primary Level Salary Range: $176,100.00 - $305,900.00
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 market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
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 http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
group id: 10122071
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