📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Factory Automation Systems Engineer (245868)
Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: United States - Maryland - Linthicum
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Systems Engineer - Factory Automation
Date Posted: 2025-06-11
Experience Level: 2-5 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Key Responsibilities: Establish communication between factory host and semiconductor equipment, gather network maps, execute network cable drops, architect custom solutions, author technical documentation, analyze system needs and requirements, perform root cause analysis, and communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
Key Technologies: Factory automation, network architecture, programming, technical documentation, root cause analysis, security risk assessment, communication, collaboration, microelectronics, semiconductor, Agile, Scrum, COTS software, custom solutions, SECS/GEM Protocol, multi-threading.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in factory automation, network architecture, and programming to drive execution of Statement of Work (SOW) components with vendors and work cross-organization.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

🔗 Network Architecture & Communication

Establish and maintain communication between factory host and semiconductor equipment.
Gather network maps and execute network cable drops for all equipment.
Assess security risk of equipment network ports and introducing third-party technology on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves managing network architecture and ensuring secure communication between factory hosts and semiconductor equipment, requiring a solid understanding of network protocols and security best practices.

📝 Technical Documentation & Analysis

Author technical documentation that outlines equipment integration and factory automation for both technical and non-technical individuals.
Analyze needs and requirements of existing and proposed systems, and develop technical, structural, and organizational specifications.
Perform root cause analysis for application failures and implement solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role emphasizes strong technical writing skills and the ability to analyze and document complex systems, as well as perform root cause analysis to troubleshoot and resolve application failures.

🛠 Custom Solutions & Programming

Architect custom solutions to bridge the gap between COTS software packages and internal applications.
Define requirements, author code, test, and deploy custom solutions to factory automation systems.
Experience in a programming language (C#, Java, Python, R, etc.) is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role necessitates strong programming skills and the ability to develop custom solutions tailored to specific factory automation needs, requiring proficiency in at least one programming language.

📣 Communication & Collaboration

Communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, with internal and external customers, in written and verbal formats.
Work cross-organizationally with vendors and other teams to drive execution of SOW components.
Define requirements, author code, test, and deploy custom solutions to factory automation systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role demands excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders, both internally and externally, to ensure successful project execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A degree in a STEM area (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) with a minimum of 2 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or 0 years of experience with a master’s degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 2 years of experience in manufacturing microelectronics or semiconductor fabs.
Experience in network architecture, concepts, and configuration.
Experience in a programming language (C#, Java, Python, R, etc.).
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/team settings across all levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

Active US government security clearance per business requirements.
Familiarity with semiconductor manufacturing automation modes (Manual, Semi-Auto, Full-Auto).
Familiarity with SECS/GEM protocol (SECS-I & SECS-II messaging, communication over RS-232 and TCP/IP).
Experience working with SECS/GEM protocol.
Familiarity with SEMI Standards, particularly standards related to factory automation (E4, E5, E30, E37, etc.).
Familiarity with concepts of multi-threading and socket programming.
Familiarity with message-oriented middleware systems.
Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies and software tools, such as Atlassian tools stack - Jira, Confluence.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not required, preferred qualifications indicate a strong preference for candidates with experience in semiconductor manufacturing automation, SECS/GEM protocol, and Agile methodologies to excel in this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of factory automation, network architecture, and programming by showcasing relevant projects and case studies.
Highlight your ability to author technical documentation and perform root cause analysis by including examples of your written work and problem-solving skills.
Exhibit your communication and collaboration skills through testimonials, team projects, or presentations.

Technical Documentation:

Prepare a portfolio showcasing your technical documentation skills, including network architecture diagrams, system analysis reports, and custom solution overviews.
Include examples of your ability to analyze system needs and requirements, as well as perform root cause analysis and implement solutions.
Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience with factory automation, network architecture, and programming.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio will demonstrate your ability to excel in the primary responsibilities of this role, showcasing your technical skills and problem-solving prowess.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,400.00 - $128,000.00 USD per year

Benefits:

Health Insurance Coverage
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Savings Plan
Company Paid Holidays
Paid Time Off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Limited travel to local Northrop Grumman facilities may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range represents a general guideline and may vary based on the candidate's experience, education, skills, and current market conditions. Northrop Grumman also offers a variety of benefits, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plans, company-paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO).

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Northrop Grumman operates in the aerospace, defense, and technology sectors, providing innovative systems, products, and services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Company Size: Northrop Grumman is a large, global organization with over 90,000 employees, offering extensive opportunities for career growth and development.

Founded: Northrop Grumman was founded in 1936 and has a rich history of innovation and technological advancements in the aerospace and defense industries.

Team Structure:

The Factory Automation team at Northrop Grumman's Microelectronics Center (NGMC) consists of professionals with diverse backgrounds in factory automation, network architecture, programming, and technical documentation.
The team works collaboratively across various departments and with external vendors to drive execution of Statement of Work (SOW) components and deliver high-quality factory automation solutions.

Development Methodology:

Northrop Grumman employs Agile/Scrum methodologies and software tools, such as Atlassian tools stack - Jira, Confluence, to manage projects and facilitate collaboration among team members.
The company emphasizes continuous improvement, cross-functional collaboration, and customer satisfaction in its development processes.

Company Website: Northrop Grumman

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity, and bringing your whole self to work, with an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. The company offers extensive opportunities for career growth and development in a dynamic and innovative environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the intermediate level, requiring a solid understanding of factory automation, network architecture, and programming, as well as the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Reporting Structure: The Factory Automation Systems Engineer reports directly to the Factory Automation Manager and works closely with cross-functional teams, including network architects, software developers, and other systems engineers.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on factory automation systems, ensuring efficient communication between factory hosts and semiconductor equipment, and driving the execution of SOW components with vendors and across organizations.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas of factory automation, network architecture, or programming to take on more complex projects and mentoring responsibilities.
Leadership Development: Gain experience in project management, team leadership, and architecture decision-making to advance to senior roles within the organization.
Emerging Technology Adoption: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in factory automation, network architecture, and programming to drive innovation and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman offers numerous growth opportunities for technical professionals, including technical specialization, leadership development, and emerging technology adoption, fostering a culture of continuous learning and career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Northrop Grumman's Linthicum, MD location offers a modern, collaborative workspace with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

Office Location(s): Northrop Grumman's Linthicum, MD location is easily accessible from major highways and offers ample parking and nearby amenities.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Workspace: The Factory Automation team at NGMC works in an open, collaborative environment, fostering cross-functional interaction and knowledge sharing.
Development Tools & Equipment: Northrop Grumman provides team members with access to the latest development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices to ensure optimal productivity and performance.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: The team works closely with designers, marketers, and other stakeholders to ensure that factory automation solutions meet user needs and business objectives.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with limited travel to local Northrop Grumman facilities as required. The work schedule is flexible to accommodate project deadlines and maintenance windows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's Linthicum, MD location offers a modern, collaborative workspace with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, fostering a productive and innovative work environment for factory automation professionals.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief phone conversation to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
Technical Phone Screen: A deeper dive into technical skills, focusing on factory automation, network architecture, and programming.
On-site Interview: A full-day on-site interview, including technical assessments, behavioral interviews, and meetings with key stakeholders.
Final Evaluation: A final evaluation based on technical skills, cultural fit, and overall potential for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience with factory automation, network architecture, and programming, including relevant projects, case studies, and technical documentation.
Include examples of your ability to author technical documentation, perform root cause analysis, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical individuals.
Prepare a live demo or presentation of your portfolio, showcasing your technical skills and problem-solving prowess.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your knowledge of factory automation, network architecture, and programming, focusing on recent trends and best practices.
Practice solving technical problems related to factory automation, network architecture, and programming, using relevant coding challenges and exercises.
Familiarize yourself with Northrop Grumman's development methodologies, such as Agile/Scrum, and be prepared to discuss your experience with these approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's interview process is designed to assess technical skills, cultural fit, and overall potential for the role, with a strong emphasis on factory automation, network architecture, and programming expertise.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: Not applicable, as this role focuses on backend and systems engineering.

Backend & Server Technologies:

Factory Automation Software: Experience with factory automation software, such as MES (Manufacturing Execution System) or WMS (Warehouse Management System), is preferred.
Programming Languages: Proficiency in a programming language (C#, Java, Python, R, etc.) is required.
Network Architecture: Familiarity with network architecture concepts, protocols, and configuration is essential.
Database Management: Experience with database management systems, such as SQL Server, Oracle, or MySQL, is preferred.
Operating Systems: Proficiency in Windows, Linux, or other operating systems relevant to factory automation and semiconductor manufacturing is required.

Development & DevOps Tools:

Version Control: Familiarity with version control systems, such as Git, SVN, or Mercurial, is preferred.
CI/CD Pipelines: Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment tools, such as Jenkins, Azure DevOps, or GitLab CI/CD, is preferred.
Monitoring Tools: Familiarity with monitoring tools, such as Prometheus, Grafana, or Nagios, is preferred.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong understanding of factory automation software, programming languages, network architecture, and relevant development and DevOps tools is essential for success in this role, as it involves driving execution of SOW components, authoring technical documentation, and performing root cause analysis.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Innovation: Northrop Grumman values innovation and encourages team members to think creatively and challenge the status quo to drive continuous improvement.
Collaboration: The company fosters a culture of collaboration, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork and knowledge sharing.
Customer Focus: Northrop Grumman prioritizes customer satisfaction and ensures that factory automation solutions meet user needs and business objectives.
Quality: The company is committed to delivering high-quality products and services, with a strong focus on quality control and assurance processes.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: The Factory Automation team at NGMC works closely with designers, marketers, and other stakeholders to ensure that factory automation solutions meet user needs and business objectives.
Code Review Culture: Northrop Grumman emphasizes code review and peer programming practices to maintain high-quality standards and facilitate knowledge sharing among team members.
Knowledge Sharing: The company encourages team members to share their expertise and learn from one another, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's team culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, customer focus, and quality, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, code review, and knowledge sharing to drive continuous improvement and high-quality factory automation solutions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Network Architecture: Design and implement efficient and secure network architectures for factory automation systems, ensuring seamless communication between factory hosts and semiconductor equipment.
Custom Solutions: Develop custom solutions to bridge the gap between COTS software packages and internal applications, requiring strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of factory automation processes.
Root Cause Analysis: Perform root cause analysis for application failures and implement solutions, demanding a strong analytical mindset and technical expertise.
Security Risk Assessment: Assess security risk of equipment network ports and introducing third-party technology on-site, requiring a solid understanding of network security best practices and risk management principles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: Enhance your skills in factory automation, network architecture, and programming by working on challenging projects, attending relevant conferences, and pursuing certifications in emerging technologies.
Leadership Development: Develop your leadership skills by taking on mentoring responsibilities, leading projects, and participating in company-wide initiatives to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
Architecture Decision-Making: Gain experience in architecture decision-making by working on complex projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and contributing to the development of company-wide architecture standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman offers numerous technical challenges and learning opportunities for factory automation professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning, growth, and innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Factory Automation: Describe your experience with factory automation software, such as MES or WMS, and discuss how you've used it to optimize manufacturing processes and improve efficiency.
Network Architecture: Explain your approach to designing and implementing secure and efficient network architectures for factory automation systems, highlighting your understanding of network protocols and security best practices.
Programming: Solve a coding challenge related to factory automation, network architecture, or programming, demonstrating your proficiency in a relevant programming language and problem-solving skills.
Root Cause Analysis: Describe a complex technical problem you've faced and how you performed root cause analysis to identify and implement a solution, showcasing your analytical mindset and technical expertise.

Company & Culture Questions:

Company Culture: Explain what aspects of Northrop Grumman's company culture appeal to you and how you would contribute to the team's collaborative and innovative environment.
Agile Methodologies: Describe your experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and how you've used them to manage projects and facilitate collaboration among team members.
User Experience Impact: Discuss how you've considered user experience in your previous projects and how you would ensure that factory automation solutions meet user needs and business objectives at Northrop Grumman.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Live Demo: Prepare a live demo or presentation of your portfolio, showcasing your technical skills and problem-solving prowess in factory automation, network architecture, and programming.
Technical Documentation: Include examples of your technical documentation, highlighting your ability to author clear and concise documentation for both technical and non-technical individuals.
User Experience Focus: Tailor your portfolio to emphasize the user experience aspects of your projects, demonstrating your understanding of user needs and business objectives in factory automation solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Northrop Grumman's interview process is designed to assess technical skills, cultural fit, and overall potential for the role, with a strong emphasis on factory automation, network architecture, and programming expertise. By preparing thoroughly and showcasing your technical skills and problem-solving prowess, you'll increase your chances of success in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Factory Automation Systems Engineer position at Northrop Grumman:

Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight your experience with factory automation, network architecture, and programming, emphasizing relevant projects, case studies, and technical documentation.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio showcasing your technical skills and problem-solving prowess in factory automation, network architecture, and programming, including live demos, technical documentation, and user experience-focused examples.
Research Northrop Grumman: Familiarize yourself with Northrop Grumman's company culture, development methodologies, and technology stack to ensure a strong understanding of the organization and its needs.
Practice Technical Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of factory automation, network architecture, and programming, and practice solving technical problems related to these disciplines using relevant coding challenges and exercises.
Prepare for the Interview: Review the interview process, portfolio review tips, and technical challenge preparation strategies outlined in this enhanced job description, and be ready to demonstrate your technical skills, cultural fit, and overall potential for the role.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Northrop Grumman before making application decisions.

Factory Automation Systems Engineer (245868)