GNC Engineer: Aerodynamics (Level 3/4) Chandler

0902 SP - Launch Vehicles; United States; On-site; USD 98,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Chandler, AZ, is seeking a Sr. Principal Aerodynamics Engineer to lead advanced launch-vehicle aerodynamic designs from concept through testing. The role emphasizes 6DOF model development, wind tunnel support, and integration with simulation tools.

You will work on-site on a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off, and you must be able to obtain a U.S. Government Secret clearance. Primary responsibility is technical leadership across wind tunnel programs and aeroelastic

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Experience with 6DOF aerodynamic model development and Python.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced aerodynamic design for launch vehicles from concept to testing.
• Develop aerodynamic models for launch vehicle simulation and wind tunnel testing.
• Present findings to management and lead cross-functional teams.

Skills

6DOF aerodynamic model development

Python

Linux

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

CFD

Fluent

DSM C

Loci-Chem

Fun3D

Cart3D

Missile Datcom

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.

The GNC Aerodynamics Engineering Team is hiring for a Sr. Principal Engineer located in Chandler, Arizona. Aerodynamics is critical to the success of launch vehicle missions—shaping performance, stability, and safety from concept through flight. In this role, you will lead advanced aerodynamic design and support wind tunnel experimentation in a highly technical environment. Due to the nature of the work, this position will be 100% on-site. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Your Role and Impact:

Take a lead role in the creation of advanced launch vehicle aerodynamic designs and support your team through all phases from conceptual and preliminary analyses to integration and testing. Perform aerodynamic configuration trade studies on mission performance, including effects of static and dynamic stability and control, propulsion, and mass properties. Develop aerodynamic models for use in 6 degree of freedom launch vehicle simulation models (table generation with logical dependencies, uncertainty analyses, V&V techniques). Design and support wind tunnel testing programs. Present your work and technical findings to management and senior leadership through design reviews, program milestones, technical reports, proposals, and formal customer presentations. Prepare and plan staffing requirements to support development of rocket vehicle design from concept to flight. Manage tasks and schedule to ensure smooth coordination with program teams and other leads. Assign, monitor, and review the work of your team for accuracy. Apply your experience in a wide range of flight regimes (subsonic, transonic, supersonic, hypersonic, rarefied flows). Use legacy aerodynamic computer analysis programs (CFD & industry codes: Fluent, DSMC, Loci-Chem, Fun3D, Cart3D, Missile Datcom). Lead wind tunnel testing and evaluation (transonic and supersonic). Conduct launch vehicle aeroelastic analyses (distributed loads, deflected vehicle effects). Address launch vehicle venting analysis requirements and engineering methodologies.

Other duties as assigned

This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. This position can be filled at either a Level 3 or Level 4.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 1 year of professional experience.
• Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Must be experienced with 6DOF aerodynamic model development.
• Must have experience with Python and the Linux operating system.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

Basic Qualifications for Level 4:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience.
• Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Must be experienced with 6DOF aerodynamic model development.
• Must have experience with Python and the Linux operating system.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with autopilot and guidance algorithm design and navigation and actuator subsystems.
• Experience with wind tunnel test planning and execution.
• Experience with CFD.
• Experience combining multiple data sources to create a cohesive aerodynamic 6DOF model.
• Proven cross-functional technical leadership.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Northrop Grumman Total Rewards site. #AZSpace #SpaceGNCJobs #SpaceEngJobs

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00

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.

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We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.