Tooling Engineer - Energetics Manufacturing 4

Join Northrop Grumman in Elkton, Maryland, where you can lead production tooling engineering for energetic aerospace propulsion systems. This role focuses on tooling strategy and implementation that supports safety, manufacturability, quality, and readiness for energetic components and assemblies, with collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, test, quality, and safety. You will also work in a culture that values curiosity, diverse perspectives, and bringing your whole self to work.

What you’ll do

• Own and lead the tooling strategy and implementation enabling propulsion and ordnance manufacturing operations.
• Apply deep technical expertise spanning tooling, mechanical design, and energetics manufacturing while partnering across cross-functional teams.
• Serve as a prime technical contact for major programs and customers on significant tooling and manufacturing matters.
• Act as the primary technical authority for molds, lifting devices, handling fixtures, test fixtures, and other complex tooling supporting energetic components and assemblies.
• Create tooling concepts balancing safety, manufacturability, ergonomics, quality, cost, and schedule across multiple programs and lines.
• Translate requirements into build-ready tooling designs using CAD and 3D modeling tools, then drive designs through fabrication into production.
• Ensure tooling designs comply with Hazardous Operations Procedures (HOPS) and formal safety requirements, incorporating hazard analyses, interlocks, guarding, and human-factors considerations.
• Coordinate tooling fabrication and integration with internal shops and external suppliers, tracking progress and resolving technical or safety-related issues.
• Support tool introduction to production, including qualification, checkout, and first-article use, verifying performance against design intent, safety, and quality expectations.
• Represent tooling and energetics manufacturing in customer and supplier discussions, design and safety reviews, and readiness events.
• Identify and implement improvements to existing tooling focused on safety, ergonomics, reliability, and maintainability.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (or related) with 8 years relevant experience OR Master’s with 6 years OR PhD with 4 years.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.
• Extensive mechanical design experience focused on production tooling, fixtures, or special test equipment.
• Demonstrable communication skills, including presenting technical approaches, risks, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Experience working in and/or leading integrated product or project teams.
• Familiarity with machine shop fabrication practices, manufacturing methods, and material selection for tooling.
• Working knowledge of stress calculations for support structures and ASME Y14.5M geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, Word, CAD, and 3D modeling tools (e.g., Siemens NX or similar).

Tools and technologies

• Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• CAD and 3D modeling tools (Siemens NX or similar)
• Siemens NX
• ASME Y14.5M
• Teamcenter (TcUA)

Compensation and schedule

$135,800 - $203,600 per year. Primary level salary range: $135,800 - $203,600. Travel: Yes, 10% of the time.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• Depending on the position: eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay
• Annual bonuses designed to reward individual contributions and share in company results
• Long Term Incentives may be available for Vice President or Director positions

Relocation

Relocation assistance may be available.