Manufacturing Engineer Level 2 or Level 3

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Saint Charles
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No CLEARANCE TYPE: None TRAVEL: No 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. Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer – Level 2 or Level 3 to join our team in Saint Charles, MO. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work. An organization within Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems, Cutting Edge Optronics is a leading provider of high-power laser diode arrays, high power pump modules and diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers. We are a vertically integrated manufacturer capable of supplying unmounted diode bars, packaged laser diodes, DPSS modules, laser diode drivers and complete DPSS laser systems. Our diode laser-based products have become industry standards and are used in a wide variety of commercial and military applications. Learn more about Cutting Edge Optronics at our website: https://www.northropgrumman.com/who-we-are/cutting-edge-optronics/ The manufacturing engineer will work on the development of requirements; performance of technical planning; manufacturing system development /integration, verification and validation; Evaluation of costs; and evaluation and/or mitigation of program risk impacts. The position requires following projects through all manufacturing readiness level phases: concept development, design, fabrication/assembly/test at lab level, production environment demo, full production operations implementation, sustainment/maintenance/ and continuous improvement (over the full product life cycle). These projects focus on advanced and emerging manufacturing capabilities and/or design enhancements with the goal of improving overall production manufacturing quality, span times/time to market and reducing cost. In this job, you will: include development/coordination of formal requirements documents with internal and/or external customers while ensuring systemic conversion of requirements to design, implementation and production validations. The role also requires the management of project cost and schedule through all phases and execution of transition to production activities of the developed systems to program and functional manufacturing spaces. Candidates for this position should be highly self-motivated and have demonstrated experience in working with cross functional teams to include Business Development, Design Engineering, Processes Engineering, Production Technicians/Operators, Project/Program Managers. They must possess strong trouble-shooting skills and experience at providing solutions to a variety of technical problems of increasing scope and complexity. Basic Qualifications for Level 2: Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 0 years of professional experience. No clearance required to start Manufacturing/production experience Familiar with CE marking requirements and/or CDRH requirements for laser products. Familiar with MIL SPECs and/or experience with design of dual-use products. Experience dealing directly with senior level customers to identify and solve problems. Ability to work with program managers to develop realistic cost and task proposals during the RFQ phase of programs. Maintain schedules and lead design tasks during the execution phase of programs. Basic Qualifications for Level 3: Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience. No clearance required to start Manufacturing/production experience Familiar with CE marking requirements and/or CDRH requirements for laser products. Familiar with MIL SPECs and/or experience with design of dual-use products. Experience dealing directly with senior level customers to identify and solve problems. Ability to work with program managers to develop realistic cost and task proposals during the RFQ phase of programs. Maintain schedules and lead design tasks during the execution phase of programs. Preferred Qualifications: Commercial production experience preferred Strong background in mechanical design and manufacturing methods. High level of attention to detail and organizational skills for managing multiple parallel tasks. Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below: https://www.northropgrumman.com/space Primary Level Salary Range: $73,900.00 - $110,900.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $91,200.00 - $136,800.00 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.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, O'Fallon , Manufacturing Engineer Level 2 or Level 3, Engineering , Saint Charles, Missouri