Engineer or Principal Engineer Material & Process - HGT

Northrop Grumman; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 83,400 - 155,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautic Systems in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Material & Process Engineer (or Principal) to join a diverse team on challenging aerospace projects. The role focuses on defining requirements, qualifying materials, and collaborating across sites to solve complex composite issues.

Responsibilities include data analysis, test plan execution, and maintaining engineering records while coordinating with suppliers and internal teams. Occasional travel and security clearances apply.

Qualifications

• Engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Practical knowledge of adhesives and epoxies, composite lamination processes and testing methods.
• Hands-on PMG sample preparation and basic lab techniques (cutting, polishing, photomicroscopy).
• Active in-scope U.S. Government Secret Clearance or ability to obtain program access.

Responsibilities

• Define engineering requirements for parts, materials, processes and manufacturing technologies.
• Qualify new materials and processes; manage test and audit programs to qualified suppliers.
• Collaborate with M&P teams at other Northrop sites on complex composite issues.
• Analyze performance to determine causes of failures and recommend corrective actions.
• Coordinate lab NDI activity and compile data for review.
• Support creation and revision of material/process specs, SOPs, and test plans.

Skills

Aerospace/defense engineering

Material & Process engineering

Aerospace quality

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's Degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

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 Aeronautic Systems

has an opening for an Material & Process Engineer or Principal Material & Process Engineer to join our team of qualified diverse individuals. This position will be located in El Segundo, CA.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Support definition of engineering requirements to develop, select, or recommend parts, materials, processes, and manufacturing technologies used in product design and manufacturing in accordance with contractual and regulatory obligation
• Additionally, you will qualify new materials (adhesives/epoxies/coatings), parts and processes to meet requirements and manage test and audit programs to qualify suppliers to applicable requirements
• Work collaboratively with M&P teams at other Northrop sites on complex structural M&P composite issues
• Perform analyses to characterize performance or determine causes of tool, material, part, or process failures; recommend corrective actions for senior review
• Coordinate and support lab Non Destructive Inspection (NDI) activity and compile data for review
• Use project management practices to meet cost, technical, and schedule requirements for assigned tasks
• Support creation and revision of material/process specifications, work instructions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and test plans; ensure alignment with Northrop Grumman and industry requirements
• Assist with test execution and troubleshooting in a laboratory environment
• Support lengthy and complex multi-year investigations of environmental effects on composite materials
• Maintain engineering records (test reports, engineering orders)
• Communicate technical findings clearly to cross-functional teams and stakeholders
• Frequent interaction with technical leads, M&P composite laboratories, and testing laboratories
• Occasional travel to supplier sites, test facilities, and other Northrop Grumman locations may be required
• Compile technical data and produce summary reports and technical briefings and participate in briefings to engineering management
• Support proposal activity for both NCTA and CRAD and Program opportunities
• Must comply with Northrop Grumman security, health, and safety policies

This requisition may be filled at either a Level 2 or a Principal Level 3.

Basic Qualifications

• Basic qualifications for an M&P Engineer include a Bachelor's in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and at least 2 years of relevant experience, a Master's Degree in STEM with no years of experience.
• Basic qualifications for a Principal M&P Engineer include a Bachelor's in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and at least 5 years of relevant experience, a Master's Degree in STEM with 3 years of relevant experience, or a PhD Degree with no experience.
• Engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing environments
• Practical knowledge of adhesives and epoxies, composite lamination processes and common materials testing methods
• Hands-on exposure to PMG sample preparation and basic lab techniques (cutting, polishing, and photomicroscopy)
• This position requires an Active In-scope (within 6 years) U.S. Government Secret Clearance as well as the ability to obtain Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Ability to work full-time onsite in El Segundo, CA

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or polymer engineering
• PhD in material science or materials engineering
• Strong desire to mentor and grow employees
• Advanced knowledge of composite materials used in aerospace applications
• Knowledge of physical and mechanical properties for composites as well as familiarity with CMH-17, fatigue testing, fracture toughness, non-destructive inspection, and allowables generation
• Detailed knowledge of composite manufacturing processes and standards
• Hands-on experience in a high-production manufacturing environment
• Experience with technical review of materials processing and a sound understanding of the interaction between process variables and the resulting material performanceAbility to work in both R&D and Production settings
• Personality and drive to execute in a scrappy entrepreneurial environment that operates under tight timelines and aggressive schedules
• Effective written and interpersonal communication skills
• Capable of interacting with and conveying concepts within all levels of our organization

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.