Manufacturing Leadership Program Engineer - Class of 2027

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field is required.

Department of Defense secret security clearance is preferred at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

General Dynamics Mission Systems has openings for a Manufacturing Leadership Program (MLP) Engineer – Class of 2027 to join our team in Scottsdale, Arizona. This position provides an opportunity to develop and advance the manufacturing and engineering capabilities that support some of our nation’s most critical defense missions. Employees work closely with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and produce advanced technology solutions that enable high-stakes national security operations.

The Manufacturing Leadership Program is a three-year rotational development program designed to build future technical and operational leaders. Participants gain hands-on experience across manufacturing engineering, production operations, quality engineering, and related technical functions while developing leadership and business acumen. In addition to a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, MLP Engineers pursue a company-sponsored Master’s degree which is required for program completion.

Manufacturing Leadership Program Overview

The MLP is a three-year rotational program consisting of six six-month rotations. Engineers will gain exposure across manufacturing operations, process engineering, quality engineering, production support, and other technical disciplines. Participants develop deep expertise in manufacturing systems, production processes, and continuous improvement methodologies while building the foundation for technical leadership roles.

Participants will also gain a foundational understanding of supply chain and operations flow. This includes exposure to planning, material flow, and cross-functional coordination with supply chain and procurement teams to ensure alignment between engineering decisions and end-to-end operational performance.

Primary Responsibilities include:

Developing and improving manufacturing processes, methods, and tooling

Supporting production readiness, capacity planning, and process validation

Driving continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma principles

Analyzing production data to identify yield, quality, and efficiency improvements

Supporting introduction of new products and technologies into manufacturing environments

Collaborating with engineering, quality, and operations teams to resolve technical issues

Estimating manufacturing costs and supporting make/buy and process decisions

Identifying opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance

Supporting root cause analysis and corrective action implementation

Identifying opportunities to apply AI and data-driven tools for continuous improvement

Qualifications Required

GPA 3.2 minimum (3.6 preferred)

Demonstrated leadership experience

Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

High motivation and initiative

Interest in manufacturing systems, engineering, and operational excellence

Our Commitment to You:

An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.

Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work (9/80 schedule)

Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more

See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits

This position is fully onsite and located in Scottdale, Arizona.

Salary Note
This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Combined Salary Range
USD $77,843.00 - USD $86,358.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!