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Invent Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

$59K - $89K/yr

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 ...

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 ...

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Invent information

What are common challenges faced by professionals in innovation and invention roles, and how can they be overcome?

Professionals in innovation and invention roles often face challenges such as balancing creative freedom with practical constraints, securing stakeholder buy-in, and navigating ambiguity in project direction. To overcome these, it's helpful to maintain open communication with cross-functional teams, stay adaptable to feedback, and prioritize clear documentation of ideas and processes. Regular collaboration with colleagues in R&D, marketing, and product development can also help ensure that inventive solutions align with organizational goals and market needs.

What are Invent jobs?

Invent jobs typically refer to roles focused on innovation and the creation of new products, processes, or ideas. Professionals in these positions are tasked with researching, designing, and developing novel solutions to meet market or organizational needs. These jobs can be found in a wide range of industries, including technology, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. People working in invent roles often collaborate with cross-functional teams and may be involved in prototyping, testing, and patenting new inventions.

What is the difference between Invent vs Product Designer?

AspectInventProduct Designer
Primary FocusCreating new products or concepts from scratchDesigning and improving existing products for user experience
Required SkillsCreativity, innovation, prototypingUser research, UI/UX design, visual design
Work EnvironmentR&D labs, startups, innovation teamsTech companies, design agencies, product teams
Common CertificationsDesign thinking, prototyping toolsUX certifications, design software proficiency

Invent roles focus on developing entirely new products and concepts, emphasizing innovation and prototyping. Product Designers refine and enhance existing products, prioritizing user experience and visual design. While both roles require creative skills, Invent positions are more exploratory, whereas Product Designers work within established frameworks to improve usability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Inventor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Inventor, you need a strong background in creative problem solving, scientific or technical expertise, and often a degree in engineering, science, or design. Familiarity with prototyping tools, CAD software, and knowledge of intellectual property processes like patent applications is highly valuable. Curiosity, resilience, and effective communication skills help inventors collaborate, iterate, and bring ideas to fruition. These skills are crucial for developing innovative solutions and successfully navigating the challenges of turning concepts into marketable products.
What are popular job titles related to Invent jobs in Minnesota? For Invent jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Invent jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Invent jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Invent jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Invent job openings:
Infographic showing various Invent job openings in Minnesota as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Principal / Sr. Principal Production Engineer - Robotics & Automation

Principal / Sr. Principal Production Engineer - Robotics & Automation

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Plymouth, MN

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 345 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

110th of 521 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: NoneTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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.

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.

Position Overview

This career opportunity is a great fit for a selfmotivated, proactive individual. Our engineers work in a highexposure, fastpaced, and exciting environment that involves handson technical challenges, problem solving, and interdepartment collaborations. The candidate will apply strong engineering fundamentals, demonstrate clear communication with all stakeholders, and thrive on attention to detail while tackling a variety of challenges each day.

Northrop Grumman is currently seeking an experienced Principal (Level 3) or Senior Principal Engineer (Level 4) to provide manufacturing and processengineering technical expertise, project management, and comprehensive automation support for our fastgrowing mediumcaliber ammunition production programs in our Plymouth, MN offices.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, Production Engineering, this role is responsible for delivering endtoend manufacturing engineering support for electromechanical fuze assemblies while designing, deploying, and maintaining automation cells. The engineer will collaborate with project teams to streamline designs for enhanced manufacturability and automation, integrating cuttingedge technologies such as robotics, advanced inspection, and testing to ensure rapid, costeffective delivery of highquality products.

  • Support the implementation and ensure optimal uptime of automation solutions by coordinating prove-out plans and preventative maintenance, performing PFMEAs, spare part management, and training.
  • Work with project teams to coordinate designformanufacturability and automation opportunities for new product development efforts.
  • Leverage the latest technologies including robotics, vision / inspection, testing to ensure high quality and cost-effective products are released to market as quickly as possible.
  • Assist in automation standardization including acceptance checklists, PLC and data analytic platforms (Thingworx & Kepware), design for automation checklists, training (plc, robotics, safety) and foster cross-sector collaboration.
  • Aid in the design of production solutions, including automation cells, fixtures, and test stations, to achieve optimal, safe production output and quality.
  • Provide onsite troubleshooting, maintenance, repairs, and upgrades for automation cells and associated equipment.
  • Develop manufacturing processes and documentation that ensures hardware and test articles meet engineering and configuration requirements.
  • Coordinate builds of electro-mechanical assemblies to support programs that are in engineering and manufacturing development as well as production.
  • Contribute to completion of specific program and project milestones.
  • Interface with design engineering to create products that are optimized for assembly.
  • Disposition discrepant hardware. Support and/or lead failure investigations, root cause determination, and corrective action implementation.
  • Communicates manufacturing plans and processes to internal and external customers through Manufacturing Readiness reviews.
  • Conceptualize and implement continuous improvement projects internally and with suppliers.
  • Communicate project status and issues to internal management.
  • Coordinate manufacturing efforts between internal functional disciplines including Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, and Test.
  • Communicates product requirements and collaborates with key suppliersto manage delivery of high quality components and assemblies to be utilized in assembly offinal product
  • Implement and manage strong manufacturing engineering principles to ensure robust manufacturing process and high product quality. Examples are SPC, P-FMEA, Mistake Proofing, gage R&R, equipment and gage qualifications, Design for assembly, and First Article Inspections.

Minimum Basic Qualifications

  • Level 3- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field & 5 years of related design and manufacturing experience, OR a Masters degree in a STEM field & 3 years of related design and manufacturing experience
  • Level 4- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field & 8 years of related design and manufacturing experience, OR a Masters degree in a STEM field & 6 years of related design and manufacturing experience
  • Robotics and controls experience (Allen Bradley, Epson / Fanuc Robots, Labview, Vision Systems, etc.)
  • Ability to guide successful completion of significant tasks and provide some work direction, mentoring, and coordination of other technical team members.
  • Some experience working and communicating with customers, program management, and engineering management.
  • Technical understanding of mechanical mechanisms, electromechanical mechanisms, manufacturing processes, metal fabrication, and standard assembly processes.
  • Applies knowledge of engineering and scientific methods, theories and research techniques in the disciplined investigation and solution of technical problems.
  • The person filling this position must be able to work with a wide variety of multi-discipline people, in remote settings, interact with them frequently, building strong trusting relationships.
  • Experience and proficiency in working with multiple projects.
  • Strong communication skills, written and verbal.
  • Strong computer skills in Microsoft Suite, including MS Project.
  • Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. (US Citizenship required)

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience in managing key suppliers to deliver quality components to be used in the assembly of final product.
  • Experience working in the defense industry and/or with U.S. Government contracts
  • Data analytics experience (Kepware, Thingworx, Power BI, etc.)
  • Experience in Creo (3d CAD) and Teamcenter.
  • Proficiency in developing and utilizing Experience with electronic work instructions for manufacturing processes, with experience in ERP and MES systems.
  • Experience in the production of electronic assemblies, including Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) using Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines, adhering to industry best practices.
Primary Level Salary Range: $98,900.00 - $148,300.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $123,400.00 - $185,000.00The 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