Material Processes Technician 4

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Los Angeles, CA +1 · Manufacturing and Production

This role supports the definition of engineering requirements for materials, processes, and manufacturing technologies in aerospace and defense. Responsibilities include qualifying new materials and processes, supporting design reviews and failure analyses, coordinating lab activities, and maintaining engineering records. The role requires experience in metallurgy, manufacturing processes, and an active DoD Secret Clearance.

What you'd actually do

  1. As a Material Processes Technician 4, you will support definition of engineering requirements to develop, select, or recommend parts, materials, processes, manufacturing technologies, machinery, tools, and automation systems used in product design and manufacturing in accordance with contractual and regulatory obligations
  2. Additionally, you will qualify new materials, parts and processes to meet requirements and manage test and audit programs to qualify suppliers to applicable requirements
  3. Support engineering design reviews and participate in failure analyses for metallic parts and processes
  4. Assist in supplier qualification activities and respond to routine supplier technical inquiries; escalate complex supplier or production issues to senior M&P engineers
  5. Perform analyses to characterize performance or determine causes of tool, material, part, or process failures; recommend corrective actions for senior review

Skills

Required

  • Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing environments
  • Practical knowledge of metallurgy for ferrous and nonferrous alloys, heat treatment basics, corrosion/fatigue fundamentals, and common materials testing methods
  • Hands-on exposure to metallographic sample preparation and basic lab techniques (cutting, polishing, etching, hardness)
  • 2+ years of manufacturing processes (machining, forging, forming, fastening, welding/brazing, plating/coating) and ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications related to metallic materials and processing
  • Active DoD Secret Clearance
  • Ability to work full-time onsite

Nice to have

  • Strong desire to mentor and grow employees
  • Expert level first principle engineering knowledge of metals and materials
  • Knowledge of physical and mechanical properties as well as evaluation methods (tensile strength, hardness, fatigue, fracture toughness, creep, stress rupture, SEM, non-destructive inspection, spectroscopy)
  • Detailed knowledge of one or more of the following production processes: forging, casting, forming, coating, plating, heat treating, fusion welding, friction stir welding, EB welding, additive manufacturing, and composite manufacturing
  • Hands-on experience in a high-production manufacturing environment
  • Experience with technical review of materials processing and a sound understanding of the interaction between process variables and the resulting material performance
  • Demonstrated track record of success in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, and highly competitive environment
  • Personality and drive to execute in a scrappy entrepreneurial environment that operates under tight timelines and aggressive schedules
  • Effective written and interpersonal communication skills
  • Capable of interacting with and conveying concepts within all levels of our organization
  • Strong academic foundation coupled with hands on experience

What the JD emphasized

  • Active DoD Secret Clearance
  • Must comply with Northrop Grumman security, health, and safety policies