2026 Associate Propulsion Engineer - Elkton MD

Northrop Grumman; Elkton (MD); On-site; USD 73,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Elkton, MD is seeking a Propulsion Engineer to join the Defense Systems Sector. The role focuses on solid rocket motor performance analysis, developing mathematical models, and validating designs against test data.

Responsibilities include performing analyses of thrust, pressure, and impulse, sizing ignition systems, and presenting technical findings to internal and external customers. A Bachelor's or Master's degree and U.S. citizenship are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree required.
• Experience or coursework in rocket propulsion, heat transfer, thermodynamics, or compressible fluid mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Conduct performance analyses for solid rocket motor propulsion design and verification.
• Develop mathematical models with proper methods, boundary conditions and material properties.
• Prepare and present technical reports to internal and external customers.

Skills

Rocket propulsion

Mathematical modeling

Thermodynamics

Numerical analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

NX CAD

SPP

CEA600

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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 is seeking Propulsion Engineers. This position will be located at our Defense Systems Sector in Elkton, MD.

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Propulsion Systems & Controls Business Unit within the Weapon Systems Division. The candidate will work as a Solid Rocket Motor Performance Analyst.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Under the direction of manager/senior analysts, conduct performance analyses in support of solid rocket motor propulsion system design and verification activities. Develop mathematical models to match the physics of the system under evaluation including proper analysis methods/tools, boundary conditions, and appropriate material properties
  • Common types of analyses include prediction of solid rocket motor pressure, thrust, impulse; sizing of ignition systems, grain design to meet performance requirements, nozzle contouring to improve impulse, anchoring of models to test data.
  • Participate in training to develop technical expertise in solid propellant analysis and design
  • Work within peer review environment to build experience in group technical reviews
• Provide technical assessments of test data including validation of analysis
• Support propulsion and subsystem team leads to ensure technical and cost execution of each system component.
• Prepare and present technical reports and presentations of work product to both internal and external customers.

This requisition may be filled at either a level 1 or a level 2.

Basic qualifications for an Engineer 1 are a Bachelor’s Degree.

Basic qualifications for an Engineer 2 are a Master’s Degree.

Basic Qualifications:

A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) from an accredited institution by December 2026
• Be majoring in or having majored in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
• Experience or coursework in rocket propulsion, heat transfer, thermodynamics, or compressible fluid mechanics

Preferred Qualifications:

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher
• Current Active Security Clearance
• Experience or coursework in solid rocket motors design and analysis and nozzle theory
• Experience or coursework in CAD software (NX preferred), Solid Performance Program (SPP), CEA600

This position falls under a Federal Explosives License issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for this location. Candidates hired into this role will be required to complete and submit an Employee Possessor Questionnaire to ATF for approval to be a possessor.

Salary Range:

Level 1: $72,700 - $109,100

Level 2: $87,600 - $131,400

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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.