Principal OR Sr. Principal Engineer – Dynamics & Aeroelastics

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design in Redondo Beach seeks a Principal or Senior Principal Engineer in Dynamics & Aeroelastics. Lead aeroelastic analyses, develop FEM models, and interface with customers on study areas, with responsibilities spanning design criteria, testing, and technology initiatives.

Roles require proficiency with FEMAP/NASTRAN, ability to obtain a US Secret clearance, and potentially travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with experience in aeroelastic analysis or dynamics.
• Proficiency generating/validating FEM models using FEMAP/NASTRAN.
• Experience with static aeroelastic solutions, flutter, gust loads, or related analyses.
• Ability to obtain/maintain US Secret clearance and SAP access.

Responsibilities

• Establish aeroelastic design criteria for advanced designs.
• Plan programs and determine requirements for execution.
• Develop and validate FEM models for dynamics/aeroelastic analysis.
• Perform modal analysis and evaluate correlation with test data.
• Conduct aeroelastic analyses including flutter and gust loads.
• Support ground tests, wind tunnel tests, and flight tests.
• Prepare and present program briefings to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with SMEs and customers to communicate results.

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

FEMAP

NASTRAN

ZAERO

Matlab

Python

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.

Principal OR Sr. Principal Engineer – Dynamics & Aeroelastics (Redondo Beach, CA)

This position will support the Flight Sciences & Vehicle Controls Department with design and analysis needs of unclassified and classified programs and interface with customers to define study areas and report status on current programs and technology development efforts. This role may interface with 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
• Build consensus through peer and Subject Matter Experts (SME) review and communicate test and analysis results to internal and external customers

This position may be filled at either the Principal Aeronautical Engineer – Dynamics & Aeroelastics level or the Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer– Dynamics & Aeroelastics level, depending upon the qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Aeronautical Engineer - Dynamics & Aeroelastics

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 5 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 3 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 1 year of related engineering experience
• Proficiency generating and validating structural dynamic & aeroelastic FEM models, utilizing FEMAP & NASTRAN
• Proficiency performing aeroelastic analysis including static aeroelastic solutions, flutter, and gust loads
• 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.

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer - Dynamics & Aeroelastics

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 4 years of related engineering experience
• Proficiency generating and validating structural dynamic & aeroelastic FEM models, utilizing FEMAP & NASTRAN
• Proficiency performing aeroelastic analysis including static aeroelastic solutions, flutter, and gust loads
• 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

• Active US Government Secret clearance
• 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 and experience of coding in Python
• Knowledge of the nature and physics of flutter.
• Knowledge of MIL-STD 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

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

Secondary 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.