Principal / Sr Principal Engineer Facilities

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

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 Weapons Systems is currently seeking Principal Facilities Engineer 3 or Sr. Principal Facilities Engineer 4 for our Elkton, Maryland location.

The Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS&C) facility in Elkton, Maryland began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the Elkton PS&C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion and ordnance systems in programs professionally managed for a wide variety of Government and commercial customers.

The facility also serves as the hub for offsite engineering and test facilities in Ronkonkoma, NY, Palm Beach Gardens, FL and San Jose, CA.

Job Summary

As Principal Facilities Engineer 3 or Sr. Principal Facilities Engineer 4 you will ensure that all buildings, systems, and infrastructure operate safely, efficiently, and cost‑effectively while driving innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement across the campus.

You will blend hands‑on engineering, strategic project management, and people leadership to:

• Lead capital project delivery from concept through close‑out.
• Enable the highest standards in energetic manufacturing through design, selection and installation of facilities and process equipment.
• Champion reliability, energy‑performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Be part of a high‑performing facilities team in accordance with Northrop Grumman’s Leadership Values

Core Technical Responsibilities:

• Planning, Design & Technical Leadership
• Lead the end‑to‑end planning, detailed design, and supervision of plant‑wide machinery, building systems, and supporting facilities.
• Partner with architecture and engineering firms/consultants to develop and validate design criteria, producing comprehensive layout and detail drawings that meet functional, safety, HAZOP/ HOPS, regulatory, and code requirements.
• Review, update, and optimize HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire‑life‑safety, and building‑automation systems; perform load calculations, energy modelling, and lifecycle‑cost analyses to maximize performance and extend asset life.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce engineering standards, local codes, HOPs/PSM requirements and conduct peer‑reviews of design documents and contractor submittals.
• Design solutions with sustainability and total cost of ownership in mind.
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• Data Collection & Requirements Analysis
• Compile and analyze specification data for equipment and facilities, aligning it with HAZOP/HOPS requirements, DoD 4145.26, project‑completion timelines, and construction feasibility.
• Translate analyzed data into clear technical requirements that drive design, procurement, and execution phases.
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• Procurement, Contract Management & Vendor Coordination
• Prepare bid packages, scopes of work, and contractual agreements for construction, installation, and facility‑service contracts.
• Conduct detailed cost estimating for equipment, installation, labor, materials, site preparation, and ancillary expenses.
• Pre‑qualify vendors, issue RFPs, evaluate bids, negotiate contracts, and monitor performance against SLAs and contract deliverables.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, scope changes, and communications throughout execution; administer change‑order processes to keep the project baseline accurate.
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• Construction & Installation Supervision
• Oversee, inspect, and document construction and equipment installations to verify strict compliance with approved drawings, specifications, and project schedules.
• Conduct site inspections, verify compliance with technical and safety requirements, manage punch list items, and provide final acceptance sign‑offs.
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• Engineering Design Support & Equipment Qualification
• Provide engineering expertise for new‑equipment installations, infrastructure upgrades, and production‑area renovations.
• Act as the primary liaison between the engineering design team, construction crews, and operations to ensure seamless coordination, accurate translation of design intent, and rapid issue resolution.
• Oversee qualification and performance verification of newly installed equipment – plan and conduct functional testing, validate against design criteria, and document results for long‑term reliability tracking.
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• Operations & Maintenance Management
• Participate in preventive and predictive maintenance programs using the CMMS; define work order strategies, integrate condition monitoring data, and maintain accurate asset records.
• Conduct FMEAs and develop reliability‑centered maintenance (RCM) plans to maximize equipment availability and reduce failure rates.
• Participate in energy‑management initiatives (sub‑metering, LED retrofits, VFD upgrades, renewable‑energy projects) and pursue relevant certifications.
• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, NFPA, HOPs/HAZOPs, PSM, local building codes, environmental regulations, and conduct hazard assessments and incident investigations.
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• People & Stakeholder Management
• Serve as the primary liaison among real‑estate, finance, IT, sustainability, manufacturing, program management, security, site leadership, and external partners to align facility goals with corporate strategy.
• Respond to occupant requests, perform space‑utilization studies, and support workplace‑reconfiguration or hybrid‑work projects.
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• Documentation, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
• Maintain “as‑built” drawings, equipment manuals, warranty files, Management‑of‑Change (MoC) records, and CMMS data using version‑control tools (SharePoint, Aconex, Leading 2 Lean, etc.).
• Produce monthly/quarterly dashboards on energy use, maintenance KPIs, project status, and budget variances for senior leadership.
• Lead Kaizen, Lean, or Six‑Sigma projects to streamline work‑order flow, reduce waste, and improve turnaround times.
• Prepare for and participate in internal/external audits, develop corrective‑action plans, and ensure all permits and regulatory filings are current.
• This requisition may be filled with either Principal Facilities Engineer 3 or Sr. Principal Facilities Engineer 4, depending on years of experience and qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

Principal Facilities Engineer 3:

• B.S. (or higher) in Mechanical / Industrial / Electrical / Facilities Engineering, Building Science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of facilities, engineering, or construction experience with demonstrated success managing small- to medium-scale capital investments and construction projects from planning through closeout.
• Proven experience overseeing projects including budgeting, scheduling, procurement, contractor coordination, and closeout documentation.
• Experience preparing scopes of work, cost estimates, and basic life-cycle cost assessments for smaller capital projects.
• Hands-on construction management experience: contractor oversight, site inspections, quality assurance, safety compliance, and coordination of commissioning/turnover activities.
• Ability to manage mult