Engineering Manager 3 – Commerce Propulsion Tanks

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% 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.

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As  Engineering Manager – Commerce Propulsion Tanks , you will lead the multidiscipline engineering organization responsible for designing, analyzing, testing, and supporting propulsion tanks produced at our Commerce, CA site.

You will manage a team of  14+ engineers and technical staff  (structural analysis, materials & processes, test engineering, mechanical design, tooling, a test technician, and the Chief Engineer). You will ensure the team has the  people, tools, skills, and culture  needed to support current programs and execute the propulsion tank technology roadmap. This role reports to the  Director, Western Region Vehicle Engineering – Propulsion and Structures .

The ideal candidate is a  positive, visible leader  with strong engineering management experience who can improve morale, develop talent, and build an engaged, high   performing team.

The Engineering Manager is accountable for the  performance and health of the Commerce propulsion tank engineering organization , including:

- Providing engineering leadership to a multidiscipline team  of structural analysis, M&P, mechanical design, tooling, and test personnel.

- Owning people leadership, staffing, development, and engagement.

- Ensuring engineering processes, tools, and skills support cost, schedule, and quality commitments, and leading continuous improvement initiatives  focused on process effectiveness, design and analysis rigor, and manufacturability of propulsion tanks.

- Collaborating with senior technical leaders to enable execution of the propulsion tank technical roadmap and adoption of   new technologies.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

People Leadership & Culture

- Lead the Commerce propulsion tank engineering team (structural analysis, M&P, mechanical, tooling, test, and Chief Engineer).

- Own  hiring, staffing, performance management, and development plans  for the engineering team; share day   to   today   technical coaching with senior technical leaders.

- Foster a  positive, inclusive, high   trust culture  in a small   team, with a focus on improving  morale and psychological safety .

- Model Northrop Grumman’s leadership behaviors: set   a clear vision , build a   high   performing   team, take ownership, lead with courage, respond with resilience, and act with speed.

- Lead the team through   significant change , setting clear priorities, communicating transparently, and helping engineers navigate shifting demands while   maintaining   engagement and focus.

- Implement succession and talent development plans, ensuring engineers are growing in technical depth and leadership capability.

- Identify   and develop  technical and team leads  within the organization, building a sustainable leadership bench and reducing   single point   dependencies.

- Promote knowledge sharing, mentoring, and best   practice adoption across analysis, M&P, test, mechanical, and tooling disciplines.

Engineering Operations & Execution

- Establish and   maintain   a  highly effective engineering organization  capable of supporting propulsion tank programs across multiple locations, divisions, and customers.

- Ensure the team is equipped with the  training, tools, and staffing  needed to meet cost, schedule, and quality commitments across programs and IRAD/CRAD.

- Manage the engineering budget and headcount plan;   optimize   utilization   and staffing across programs and IRAD/CRAD efforts.

- Work with Program Management and Operations to  manage engineering workload and priorities , balancing urgent needs with long   term health of the team and avoiding unsustainable fire   drill cycles.

- Develop, implement, and   maintain   discipline   specific processes and tools  for structural analysis, M&P, test, mechanical design, and tooling, in alignment with sector and functional standards.

- Define and monitor  metrics for engineering efficiency, quality, and on   time performance , and drive continuous improvement in affordability, knowledge management, and engineering   utilization.

- Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering organization , including refinements to design and analysis practices, test and verification approaches,   processes   and procedures ,   configuration management, and collaboration with Operations and Quality to improve manufacturability and yields.

- Champion a strong  quality and   mission   assurance   mindset  within the engineering team, ensuring design and analysis decisions reflect safety, reliability, and customer expectations.

- Identify   organizational gaps and proactively forecast potential challenges to program execution; lead root cause and corrective actions that address systemic issues in staffing, process, or coordination.

- Build strong partnerships with Program Management, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and other leaders to ensure seamless coordination and delivery.

Collaboration & Technology Roadmap

- Work closely with senior technical leaders to ensure the engineering organization can effectively  execute the propulsion tank technical roadmap .

- Align staffing, skill development, and process changes to support adoption of  additive manufacturing and other advanced manufacturing methods  defined in that roadmap.

- Ensure engineering processes, tools, and training keep pace with evolving  propulsion tank architectures  (e.g., PMD designs, COPVs, diaphragm tanks) and material/forging constraints.

- Support  major technical reviews, investigations, and non conformance resolution by ensuring the right resources, coordination, and   cross functional   participation are in place.

- Connect the Commerce engineering team with  broader Northrop Grumman communities of practice , training resources, and   best practice   networks to accelerate learning and adoption of proven approaches.

- Participate in customer and leadership meetings focused on  commitments, staffing, and organizational readiness , while senior technical leaders lead detailed technical content.

Basic Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Science , Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) from an accredited university with 8+ years of experience in mechanical, structural, or related engineering disciplines, including aerospace, space, or other mission   critical hardware domains.

- Prior  engineering leadership experience  (e.g., team lead, functional manager, department manager) with responsibility for people leadership and organizational performance, supporting  multidiscipline   engineering teams  in a hardware   centric environment.

- Experience leading engineering organizations that support  additive manufacturing or other advanced manufacturing methods .

- Ability to  improve team morale and performance , build engagement, and foster an inclusive, collaborative culture.

- Experience with engineering processes and metrics related to staffing,   utilization , quality, and on   time delivery.

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and partner effectively with Program Management, Operations, Quality, and senior leadership.

- Ability to obtain and   maintain   a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Bachelors degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Materials Engineering or related STEM field with 12 years of experience; OR Master’s degree in Mechanical , Aerospace, Materials Engineering, or related STEM field with 10 years of experience

- Experience with  propulsion tanks, pressure vessels, or related structural hardware , including familiarity with PMDs, COPVs, diaphragm tanks, or forging constraints.

- Prior leadership experience in a site or value   stream context with a clear  turnaround or growth mandate .

- Experience defining and implementing engineering process improvements, common toolsets, and   knowledge   management   practices across teams and locations.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below: https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

Primary Level Salary Range: $175,400.00 - $263,200.00

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 t