2027 Associate Engineer Material Process / Engineer Material Process - CA

Northrop Grumman Corp.; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking Associate Material Process Engineers at Palmdale, CA, with a 4/10 Mon-Thurs night schedule or 1st shift option. The role supports the Vehicle Engineering group on manned/unmanned aircraft programs; the M&P team handles daily shop floor activities.

Qualifications include a STEM bachelor’s (and possibly master’s) and ability to obtain government clearance. Strong communication, testing and material-process knowledge are valued.

Qualifications

• Be completing or has completed Bachelor’s degree in STEM by December 2026.
• Master’s degree or 2 years of Aeronautical engineering experience by December 2026.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Answer shop floor assist calls promptly.
• Collaborate with technicians on the shop floor daily.
• Read, interpret and write specification changes; prepare presentations and data tabulations.
• Assist and guide technicians in setup and processes to complete tasks.
• Write test plans and coordinate with test labs and data turnaround.
• Research and develop materials and their application processes.

Skills

Shop floor support

Read specs

Data tabulation

Test planning

PowerPoint

Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree or 2 years aero engineering experience

Tools

ASTM test procedures

Lab testing gear

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

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 Associate Material Process Engineers / Material Process Engineers for a 4/10 (Mon-Thurs) 2nd shift night schedule opening. The other possible shift is 1st shift which is the day schedule. This position will be located at our Aeronautics Systems Sector in Palmdale, CA.

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Vehicle Engineering group. In Vehicle Engineering, we develop manned and unmanned aircraft platforms for all programs in the Aeronautics Systems Sector. This candidate will become part of an M&P team responsible for daily shop floor support.

Essential Functions

The selected candidate will perform the following, including, but not limited to:

• Answer shop floor assist calls in a timely manner.
• Collaborate and work-with technicians on the shop floor the majority of the day. Working in confined spaces and from elevated platforms is routine. Lifting objects, kneeling, climbing ladders, and crawling thru confined spaces is typical.
• Read, interpret and author specification changes along with authoring PowerPoint presentations and Excel data tabulation will be routine.
• Assist and guide technicians in the setup and processes required to successfully complete a task.
• Write test plans and collaborate with test Labs (both internal and external) along with expedited test data turnaround times.
• Research and develop materials and their related application processes for use in engineering design of and/or application in structures, systems and subsystems.
• Apply principles of chemistry, physics, and material science to investigate material issues and provide solutions.

This requisition may be filled at either a Level 1 (Associate Engineer) or Level 2 (Engineer).

Basic Qualifications for an Associate M&P Engineer (level 1)

A candidate, regardless of age and hiring source, must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by December 2026.
• Be majoring in or having majorized in: Engineering, Chemistry, Material Science or a similar STEM degree.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite). Final approved U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special Access may be required to start.

Basic Qualifications for an M&P Engineer (level 2)

A candidate, regardless of age and hiring source, must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:

• Be completing or has completed their Master’s degree from an accredited institution by December 2027 or is completing their Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 2 years of Aeronautical engineering experience (or similar engineering experience) by December 2026.
• Be majoring in or having majorized in: Engineering, Chemistry, Material Science or a similar STEM degree
• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite). Final approved U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite) as well as Program Special Access may be required to start.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.25/4.0 or higher
• Experience with working on military or commercial aircraft, parts and assemblies.
• Experience preparing and presenting oral and written reports.
• Familiarity with ASTM test procedures.
• Experience with lab testing: Thermal, Optical, Rheology & Mechanical:
• DSC, FTIR, TGA, Photomicrography, Rheometer & Load frame operation.
• Familiar with composite pre-pregs, honeycombs, sealants, coatings and adhesive materials is a plus. Familiar with fabrication, assembly, and repair processes for aircraft composite structures, familiar with metallic materials and processes.
• Demonstrated extensive interpersonal communication, shop floor support & interacting with people. Demonstrated experience with soft skills & communication.
• Clear understanding of Chain of Command and the ability to follow direction within an organizational structure.
• FAA Airframe & Powerplant License.
• Mechanical related hobbies or familiarities. (Pilot, mechanic, 3-d printing, sewing, stain glass, racing/offroad motorsports, etcetera)

Pay Range

• Associate Engineer Material Process (Level 1): $69,400 - $104,000
• Engineer Material Process (Level 2): $83,400 - $125,200

Primary Level Salary Range: $76,200.00 - $114,400.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00

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.