Principal Engineer Structural - Aircraft Dynamics

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Discretionary bonus

Long Term Incentives

Health insurance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Principal Engineer Structural, Aircraft Dynamics to join our Redondo Beach team. You will lead aeroelastic analyses, develop FEM models, and coordinate test activities for classification and program support.

The role requires a strong background in aircraft dynamics, collaboration across teams, and the ability to travel up to 20%. You will engage with customers to define study areas and report status on current programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with relevant experience, or higher degrees with reduced experience requirements.
• Strong background in aeroelastic analysis and structural dynamics.
• Experience with finite element modeling and verification against test data.

Responsibilities

• Establish aeroelastic design criteria for advanced aircraft concepts.
• Generate and validate FEM models for structural dynamics analysis.
• Perform modal analysis and correlate results across FEM and test data.
• Conduct aeroelastic analyses including flutter and gust loads assessments.
• Support ground and flight test activities and document findings.
• Communicate results clearly to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Aeroelastic analysis

FEM modeling

Modal analysis

Technical writing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

NASTRAN

FEMAP

MATLAB

CATIA/NX

Job description

• RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
• CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
• CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
• TRAVEL: Yes, 25% 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’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.

Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Engineer Structural, Aircraft Dynamics to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Redondo Beach, CA. As an engineer supporting the Aircraft Dynamics section, the selected candidate will support the design and analysis needs of unclassified and classified programs in Redondo Beach, California. Candidate will interface with customers to define study areas and report status on current programs and technology development efforts. Candidate may interface with their management and technical teams to define business relationships and technology initiatives for both IRAD (Internal Research and Development) and CRAD (Contractual Research and Development) efforts. This position will support a variety of programs performing analysis, ground test, and flight test activities.

Essential Functions

• Establish aeroelastic design criteria to guide the development of advanced designs
• Perform project planning to determine program requirements and develop plans for execution
• Generate and validate structural dynamic & aeroelastic FEM models
• Execute modal analysis, evaluate modal correlation across FEM and test data sets
• Perform aeroelastic analysis including static aeroelastic solutions, flutter, and gust loads
• Support validation test activities including: actuator testing, ground vibration, aeroelastic wind tunnel testing, and flutter flight testing
• Develop and present materials for internal and external program related briefings
• Responsible to build consensus through peer and Subject Matter Experts (SME) review and communicate test and analysis results to internal and external customers
• The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, collaborative/team settings across all levels.

Basic Qualifications For a Principal Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in STEM with 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in STEM with 1 years of related engineering experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in the discipline of Aircraft Dynamics or Loads
• Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering preferred
• Experience in Dynamics Analysis Methods and Documentation, as well as the development and manipulation of large Finite Element Models using NASTRAN, FEMAP or other FEM tools.
• Experience using industry standard analysis software such as NASTRAN, ZAERO, Matlab, etc.
• Knowledge of Mil-stds applicable to aircraft design and certification
• Experience with the planning and execution of ground tests required for aircraft certification and validation of structural dynamic models & analyses.
• Capable of performing vibroacoustic environment definition and related analyses
• Experience supporting sub-system qualification activities
• Familiarity with CAD applications (CATIA / NX)
• Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office with strong technical writing skills and the ability to communicate and present technical material to various stakeholders
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% time
• A current active in-scope U.S. Government DoD Secret clearance with previous Special Program Access (PAR/SPA) is preferred

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00

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.