Manager Structural Engineering 1

0904 SP - Space Components; United States; On-site; USD 133,000 - 199,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Comprehensive rewards package

Job summary

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is looking for a Manager Structural Engineering 1 to join the Mission Enabling Products Team in San Diego, California. This full-time role requires extensive experience in aerospace structural analysis and technical leadership skills.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing engineering projects, overseeing analysis tasks, and supporting flight hardware from design to verification. A robust understanding of composite materials and FEA tools is crucial for success in this position.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of engineering experience in aerospace or space structural analysis.
• Experience in managing an engineering team.
• Proficiency in handling composite materials and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Analysis Value Stream for Reflectors & Booms product lines.
• Manage performance and resources for engineering projects.
• Ensure technical compliance and manage risk assessment across programs.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Aerospace structural analysis

Composite materials

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in a STEM field

Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA

Tools

Femap

NASTRAN

Altair HyperWorks

ESI VaOne

Job description

Job Summary

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking a Manager Structural Engineering 1 to join our Mission Enabling Products Team in San Diego, California. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work. RELocation assistance may be available. No clearance is required at the start of the role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Analysis Value Stream (VSL) for Reflectors & Booms product lines, providing technical leadership to the PASS Operating Unit.
• Own program performance, managing schedule, cost, quality, and technical execution through daily SQDEC management.
• Manage resources in collaboration with the analysis functional manager: staffing, employee reviews, hiring, recruiting, and verification of work completeness.
• Escalate technical, schedule, and financial issues; lead and support peer reviews at the product level.
• Track first pass yield (FPY) and on‑time delivery (OTD) for the analysis value stream.
• Ensure technical compliance and manage risk assessment across programs.
• Identify needs for allowables development and coordinate static/dynamic test plans with the tool design group.
• Develop and maintain BOE assumptions in support of proposals.
• Standardize and improve analysis processes, capturing lessons learned and best practices.
• Assess structural integrity of metallic and composite structures using both traditional closed‑form solutions and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Interact with design and development teams to create and verify design solutions that meet technical, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Generate finite element models and perform normal modes, static stress, dynamic response, thermo‑elastic distortion, and hygroscopic distortion analyses.
• Support flight hardware from preliminary through detailed design, manufacturing, integration, verification testing, and transportation.
• Plan and oversee material characterization tests for composite structures, reducing test data into analysis input properties and material capability properties.
• Prepare and present structural assessment results for internal review boards and external customer design reviews.
• Assist in the assessment and disposition of discrepant hardware and hardware anomalies.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a STEM field with at least 5 years of engineering experience.
• Demonstrated leadership of an engineering team on structural analysis projects.
• Experience in aerospace or space structural analysis of composites, including bonded joints, sandwich panels, and metals.
• Familiarity with product definition (specifications, scope of work, drawings) and design and verification processes.
• Proficiency with finite element analysis, composite laminate theory, and dynamic analysis.
• Experience with composite material manufacturing processes and extreme‑environment applications.
• Experience with end‑of‑item test analysis and support, including static load testing, dynamic testing (sine, sine burst, random, acoustic, modal) and thermal exposure testing.
• Experience in constitutive model development and implementation.
• Proficiency with Femap, NASTRAN, Altair HyperWorks, and ESI VaOne.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering or an MBA with a minimum of 7 years of engineering experience.
• Ability to receive a security clearance.
• Broad understanding of engineering, manufacturing, cost, schedule, scope, and risk management.
• Self‑starter with strong interpersonal and leadership skills, capable of working independently or in a team.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Strong communication skills.

Salary & Benefits

• Primary level salary range: $133,000 – $199,600.
• Eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonuses.
• Potential for long‑term incentives for senior positions.
• Comprehensive Total Rewards package, including health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off (vacation and personal business).
• Additional benefits information is available on the Total Rewards website.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.