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Best Manufacturing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manufacturing Engineer

Holland, MI

$69K - $89K/yr

Working with engineering and manufacturing to determine the best manufacturing process for existing and new products and working with quality personnel to ensure that all quality aspects of product ...

Benchmarks best manufacturing practices and assembly techniques. Introduces and implements new and enhanced processes and flows that improve quality, reduce cycle time, and reduce cost. * Works with ...

New

Manufacturing Engineer

Holland, MI · On-site

$69K - $89K/yr

Working with engineering and manufacturing to determine the best manufacturing process for existing and new products and working with quality personnel to ensure that all quality aspects of product ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Holland, MI · On-site

$69K - $89K/yr

Working with engineering and manufacturing to determine the best manufacturing process for existing and new products and working with quality personnel to ensure that all quality aspects of product ...

Manufacturing Engineer III

Anoka, MN · On-site

$74K - $95K/yr

Provide advice on technical questions for situations pertaining to DFM, pFMEA, process standards, and best manufacturing practices with teams in and outside of manufacturing. * Improve quality by ...

Manufacturing Engineer III

Anoka, MN

$74K - $95K/yr

Provide advice on technical questions for situations pertaining to DFM, pFMEA, process standards, and best manufacturing practices with teams in and outside of manufacturing. * Improve quality by ...

Implement best manufacturing practices for existing processes and provide multi-site manufacturing engineering support. * Assist with business-critical capital projects including facility planning ...

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Showing results 1-20

Best Manufacturing information

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How much do best manufacturing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for best manufacturing in the United States is $24.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Best Manufacturing vs Manufacturing Technician?

AspectBest ManufacturingManufacturing Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications varyHigh school diploma; technical certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, manufacturing plantsFactories, production areas, equipment operation
Industry UsageUsed broadly for top manufacturing companies or rolesCommonly used for skilled technical roles in manufacturing
Job FocusOverseeing manufacturing processes, quality controlOperating machinery, maintaining equipment, troubleshooting

Best Manufacturing typically refers to top-tier roles or companies in the manufacturing industry, emphasizing leadership or excellence. Manufacturing Technician focuses on technical, hands-on work involving machinery and equipment. Both roles are essential in production environments, but they differ in responsibilities and required skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Manufacturing Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Manufacturing Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, process optimization, and quality control, typically supported by a degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, lean manufacturing methodologies, and Six Sigma certification is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help drive continuous improvement and teamwork. These skills are essential for ensuring efficient production processes, minimizing costs, and maintaining product quality in manufacturing environments.

What professions make $500,000 a year?

In manufacturing, high-level executive roles such as plant managers, operations directors, and chief manufacturing officers can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially in large companies or specialized industries. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often involve overseeing large teams and complex processes.

What jobs pay $4000 a week without a degree?

In manufacturing, roles such as experienced machine operators, maintenance supervisors, or skilled trades like welders and electricians can earn around $4,000 weekly with significant experience and certifications. These positions often require specialized skills, on-the-job training, or apprenticeships rather than a college degree.

What manufacturing job pays the most?

In manufacturing, roles such as manufacturing engineers, plant managers, and specialized technicians tend to have the highest salaries. These positions often require advanced skills, certifications, and experience, and may involve overseeing production processes, quality control, or implementing automation systems.

What is Best Manufacturing?

Best Manufacturing typically refers to a company that specializes in producing high-quality goods using efficient and innovative processes. These companies focus on optimizing production techniques, maintaining strict quality control, and often implement advanced technology or lean manufacturing principles. Best Manufacturing may serve a variety of industries, such as automotive, electronics, or consumer goods, and aims to deliver reliable products that meet or exceed customer expectations. The term can also be used more generally to refer to the top performers within the manufacturing sector.

What are some of the common challenges faced in a manufacturing role, and how can new employees prepare for them?

In a manufacturing role, employees often encounter challenges such as meeting strict production deadlines, maintaining high-quality standards, and adapting to rapidly changing technologies. New hires can prepare by becoming familiar with lean manufacturing principles, developing strong attention to detail, and actively seeking feedback from experienced team members. Additionally, being adaptable and open to continuous improvement initiatives will help new employees thrive in the dynamic manufacturing environment.

What professions make 200,000 a year without a degree?

In manufacturing, roles such as experienced industrial managers, plant supervisors, or specialized trades like tool and die makers can earn around $200,000 annually with extensive experience and skills. These positions often require technical expertise, certifications, and leadership abilities but do not necessarily require a college degree.
More about Best Manufacturing jobs
What cities are hiring for Best Manufacturing jobs? Cities with the most Best Manufacturing job openings:
What states have the most Best Manufacturing jobs? States with the most job openings for Best Manufacturing jobs include:
Infographic showing various Best Manufacturing job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,890 per year, or $24.9 per hour.
Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer/Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer/Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Palmdale, CA • On-site

$78K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 353 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

108th of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
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 Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an opening for an Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer or Advanced Automation Principal Manufacturing Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located at Palmdale, CA Center of Excellence where technology and teamwork come together. The qualified applicant will become part of Northrop Grumman's Manufacturing Engineering Team working in a collaborative environment while promoting a positive and proactive teamwork environment.
Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineering job duties involve the following:
  • Provide guidance to Engineering regarding design concepts to ensure the best manufacturing technique is being used to meet the Engineering design
  • Participate in tool design reviews to ensure tools are feasible and reduce build times and program costs during assembly
  • Define sequence of operations for product builds, investigate and initiate corrective actions and improvements that involve non-conforming product and identify improvement opportunities in areas that require producibility and affordability initiatives

As a member of the Automation Manufacturing Engineeringteam, you will define, develop, implement, and transition new technology solutions to manufacturing to increase efficiency, reduce cost, and improve quality. Manufacturing concept and process solutions for production applications cover advanced technologies including but not limited to composites fabrication, assembly, automation, inspection, direct part manufacturing, survivability technologies, as well as digital capabilities. The role requires incorporation of requirements into development plans and evaluation of performance of processes and tools to verify their efficiency. In addition, you will identify and initiate corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure technical, schedule, and cost objectives are met, and product quality is maintained. In this role, you will provide guidance regarding design concepts, directly support, and ensure the successful implementation of new solution capabilities released to production, and specification requirements to best utilize resources and manufacturing techniques. This role involves interfacing with internal and external customers, program offices, engineering disciplines, executive management and requires the ability to handle multiple projects concurrently in a dynamic/fast-paced work environment.
Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineers for Aeronautics Systems are expected to provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex and difficult problems. They are problem solvers who can provide results that are innovative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives. We seek Manufacturing Engineers that use a unique skill set that includes a hands-on approach and support as the technical representative voice for the Manufacturing organization.
Basic Qualifications for Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer:
  • Bachelor's Degree with 1 year or Master's degree with 0 years of related experience in production assembly / fabrication including composites, machining, coatings application, or production manufacturing operations
  • Experience supporting manufacturing / production operations with an understanding of manufacturing processes and procedures
  • Experience in machining, robotics, or numerical control programming
  • Experience in composites, automation, heating systems or coatings application
  • Experience working or knowledge of Process Work Instructions (PWI)
  • Experience in creating work instructions, training materials & visual aids
  • Experience reviewing and interpreting Blueprints and 3-D models
  • Experience in system requirements development, acceptance testing and training
  • Experience working hands-on in a production assembly line environment
  • Experience in troubleshooting systems, and root cause and corrective action analysis
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook
  • Ability to interface / communicate with multiple levels of leadership, engineering, production, customers, and suppliers
  • Active in-scope U.S. Government Secret / Top Secret security clearance that has been granted / renewed within the past 5 years
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
  • Ability to work 1st shift, or 2nd shift and any work schedule (times may vary)

Basic Qualifications for Advanced Automation Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
  • Bachelor's Degree with 4 years or Master's degree with 3 years or PhD degree with 0 years of related experience in production assembly / fabrication including composites, machining, coatings application, or production manufacturing operations
  • Experience supporting manufacturing / production operations with an understanding of manufacturing processes and procedures
  • Experience in machining, robotics, or numerical control programming
  • Experience in composites, automation, heating systems or coatings application
  • Experience working or knowledge of Process Work Instructions (PWI)
  • Experience in creating work instructions, training materials & visual aids
  • Experience reviewing and interpreting Blueprints and 3-D models
  • Experience in system requirements development, acceptance testing and training
  • Experience working hands-on in a production assembly line environment
  • Experience in troubleshooting systems, and root cause and corrective action analysis
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook
  • Ability to interface / communicate with multiple levels of leadership, engineering, production, customers, and suppliers
  • Active in-scope U.S. Government Secret / Top Secret security clearance that has been granted / renewed within the past 5 years
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
  • Ability to work 1st shift, or 2nd shift and any work schedule (times may vary)

Preferred Qualifications
  • Degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
  • Experience in project management and execution (proposal creation, scheduling, budget tracking)
  • Experience in Manufacturing Execution System and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
  • Experience in solid modeling design using NX Siemens, CATIA or Solid Works
  • Experience providing innovative techniques focused on improving product designs and tooling assemblies or equipment
  • Experience in using Microsoft Office Project, Visio, SharePoint
  • Experience in Transition to Production activities
  • Active in-scope Special Program Access clearance preferred

Primary Level Salary Range: $83,400.00 - $125,200.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00
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 to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939