Northrop Grumman’s Armament Systems Business Unit is looking for a Medium Caliber Ammunition (MCA) Co-Production (Co-Pro) Engineering Manager to join our team of dedicated, diverse individuals based in Plymouth, MN.
Armament Systems specializes in the development and production of Ammunition, Guns, and Precision Guided Ordinance.
Position Summary / Responsibilities:
The MCA Co-Pro Engineering Manager I reports to the Co-Production Engineering Manager and manages Co-Pro specific MCA engineering activities across the international business portfolio. The MCA Co-Pro Engineering Manger leads a small and diverse team that supports ongoing MCA Co-production programs, proposal efforts for new business, and the development of future MCA Co-Production capabilities. The candidate will spend ~20% of their time on support of the organization and ~80% of their time on direct technical work.
This position will provide Design to Production Transition (DTPT) Mechanical and Manufacturing engineering expertise in the manufacturing of advanced medium caliber ammunition for international pursuits. The person filling this position must understand a wide variety of manufacturing processes (e.g. automated assembly machines, presses, CNC machining, tooling, inspection equipment, etc.) and have experience in a design to production environment. This position requires periodic 50% domestic and international travel.
The MCA Engineering Manager ensures that all production support and development activities utilize the best approaches to ensure deliver of highest quality MCA production items and an efficient, rigorous development culture for new MCA products while considering the input of all internal and external customers. The MCA Engineering Manager will lead, coach, and direct other engineers and technicians to accomplish project deliverables and strategic objectives, drive timely decision making, and develop a highly talented team.
Typical Duties:
Provide guidance, direction, and performance feedback to a diverse cross functional group of engineers tasked with solving difficult manufacturing and technical challenges.
Supports Engineering/Program Manager as a control account manager to ensure accurate schedule and cost tracking.
Demonstrated project management skills and techniques including work breakdown structures, integrated master scheduling and earned value management.
Coach, support, and motivate those around them to ensure a high performing engineering team. Create and maintain development and succession plans for team members. Lead recruiting efforts to build and maintain team capabilities.
Ensure hiring plans, staff development, and workload plans are aligned to overall capability and capacity strategy. Manage team budgets, schedules, and resources to effectively meet business goals.
Set and promote high standards for quality and safety. Maintains selected engineering processes and drive technical excellence by ensuring team output meets technical standards.
Maintain knowledge of engineering best practices and technology innovations by attending industry events and educational activities.
Represent and communicate Defense Systems technical capabilities, capacity, and technologies to internal and external customers.
As a front facing representative to our customers the candidate must be able to communicate, brief and present deliverables at program technical reviews, proposal reviews, or other technical meetings.
Presents work products at program reviews, proposals, or other project meetings.
Prepares and plans cost estimates and written technical proposals.
Acts as a technical interface to external customers, and forms working relationships with representatives of external technical organizations.
Lead performance and compensation management activities for team members.
Prepare, review, and approve cost estimates and written technical proposals. Manage cost and schedule for independent research or process improvement projects assigned to your team.
Advise stakeholders and team members on how to meet established schedules or resolve technical issues.
Coordinate with programs and peer functional managers to ensure appropriate staffing strategies are developed and executed with any performance issues resolved or escalated in a timely manner.
Ensure team members are familiar with and use required engineering processes and tools.
Ensures team members meet contract deliverables using approved, QMS directed methods and procedures as applicable.
Will involve sometimes stepping into other roles when needed.
Provide on-site support at international facilities (periodically requires approximately 50% travel).
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, or other closely related STEM degree from an accredited university plus 5 years of experience.
We may also consider master’s degree plus 3 yrs of experience.
Must have experience leading, developing and reviewing team members.
Demonstrated experience mentoring, leading and coaching in a professional capacity
Experience leading a technical team toward successful product delivery.
Proven partnership/collaboration skills and ability to partner with cross disciplines within a team.
Exceptional communication skills (verbal, written, presentation) across all levels of the organization.
Preferred Qualifications:
Engineering Degree from an accredited university
5+ years experience leading, developing and reviewing team members.
5+ years working with medium caliber ammunition production and/or development activities
Experience with supporting production programs, including experience with production process and variation control methods and techniques.
Experience with managing ammunition development and qualification programs.
Experience with AS9100/ISO 9001, CMMI, and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
Six Sigma/Lean experience
Project management experience
Experience working with suppliers and procurement to improve quality and optimize schedules