Principal or Aeronautical Engineer–Subsystem Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Annual bonuses

Health insurance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems seeks a Sr. Principal Aeronautical Engineer – Subsystem Design Engineer to join our team in El Segundo or Palmdale, CA.

This on-site role requires a self-starter capable of working in an IPT environment and handling complex subsystem design tasks. Responsibilities include designing subsystem components, translating requirements into specifications, performing analyses, and maintaining documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with 8 years of related engineering experience or Master’s with 6 years or PhD with 4 years.
• Proficiency with CAD and drafting tools (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks) and creation of drawings/BOMs.
• Experience in requirements development and management practices/tools.
• Experience with subsystem test planning, execution, troubleshooting, and hardware-in-the-loop or bench testing.
• Experience with manufacturing/producibility, design for maintainability, and configuration management.
• Active USG Secret clearance (with BI within past 5 years or Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain SAP access via PAR prior to employment.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop subsystem components (avionics, control surfaces, propulsion interfaces, environmental systems).
• Translate system-level requirements into detailed subsystem specs, interfaces, and drawings.
• Conduct trade studies, analyses, and simulations to validate concepts and inform design decisions.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including schematics, BOMs, test plans, and verification matrices.
• Support integration with other engineering disciplines for compatibility and compliance.
• Plan, execute, and analyze subsystem tests and resolve design deficiencies.
• Contribute to configuration management, design reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

CATIA

NX

SolidWorks

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 Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Sr. Principal Aeronautical Engineer – Subsystem Design Engineer to join our team in El Segundo or Palmdale, CA. The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop subsystem components (avionics, control surfaces, propulsion interfaces, environmental systems) meeting performance, weight, and reliability requirements.
• Translate system-level requirements into detailed subsystem specifications, interfaces, and engineering drawings.
• Perform trade studies, engineering analyses, and simulations (stress, aeroelasticity, thermal, vibration) to validate subsystem concepts and support design decisions.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including schematics, bills of materials, test plans, and verification matrices.
• Support integration and interface activities with other engineering disciplines to ensure subsystem compatibility and compliance.
• Plan, execute, and analyze subsystem-level tests (bench, hardware-in-the-loop, environmental) and resolve design deficiencies through corrective actions.
• Contribute to configuration management, design reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement activities to ensure producible, maintainable subsystem designs.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Basic Qualifications (Level 4)

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
• Proficiency with CAD and drafting tools (e.g., CATIA, NX, SolidWorks) and creation of engineering drawings and BOMs.
• Experience of requirements development and management practices and tools
• Experience with subsystem test planning, execution, troubleshooting, and hardware-in-the-loop or bench testing.
• Experience with manufacturing/ producibility considerations, design for maintainability, and configuration management processes.
• Active USG Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance or higher (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
• Experience integrating avionics, flight control electronics, sensors, or actuators.
• Proficiency with MBSE and simulation
• Familiarity with certification processes
• Experience performing engineering analyses and simulations (structural, thermal, vibration, aeroelastic) using tools such as Nastran, Ansys, MATLAB/Simulink.

Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00

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.