Principal Propulsion Engineer

0895 DS - MP - Elkton; United States; On-site; USD 104,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Principal Propulsion Engineer to join the Propulsion Systems and Controls team in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The role involves thermo‑structural analysis, model development, and close collaboration with internal/external customers.

The position requires a bachelor's in engineering with experience or higher degrees, and US citizenship to obtain a secret clearance. Relocation assistance may be available and travel is 10%.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelors in Engineering & 5 years of experience or Master’s Degree in Engineering & 3 years of experience or a PhD & one year of experience.
• Must be able to obtain a Secret Clearance (US Citizenship required).
• Experience with thermo‑structural analysis and materials modeling is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytical approaches to resolve unique structural/thermo‑structural issues.
• Assist in design of test articles to provide data for full‑scale applications.
• Provide structural mechanics, materials engineering services to IPT.
• Lead analytical efforts for failure investigations and fault analysis.
• Prepare technical reports and present results to internal and external customers.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Critical thinking

Attention to detail

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

PhD in Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Mechanical

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available.

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No. CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret. TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time.

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 is currently seeking a Principal Propulsion Engineer or Sr. Principal Propulsion Engineer to join our team at our Palm Beach Gardens, Florida location to support the Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS& C) business unit.

Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems and Controls (PS& C) facility in Elkton, Maryland began solid-propellant rocket operations in 1948. Today, the Elkton PS& C facility designs, develops, and produces solid-propellant propulsion, ordnance and motion controls systems in programs professionally managed for a wide variety of Government and commercial customers. The facility also serves as the hub for offsite engineering and test facilities in Ronkonkoma, NY and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

This position will perform thermo‑structural analysis simulation and modeling efforts under the guidance of a Staff Engineer to support design activities across all Northrop Grumman, Propulsion Systems and Controls, Elkton Operations product lines. These simulations include development of thermo‑structural models, gridding, selection of boundary conditions and constraints, selection of applicable material properties, selection of proper simulation code and methodology.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop analytical approaches to assist in the resolution of unique structural/thermo‑structural mechanics issues.
• Assist in design effort of test articles to provide necessary data for full‑scale applications.
• Provide structural mechanics, material specialist services to IPT working group.
• Taking role in developing methodologies, interpretation of analytical results, and recommendations for design improvement.
• Preparation of technical reports and presentations of work product to both internal and external customers.
• Provide technical assessments of test hardware and test data.
• Development of material models for thermal or structural analyses efforts.
• Assist in development of material test plans, selection of test methods, test data analysis to support material modeling efforts.
• Lead analytical services in support of failure investigations: developing fault trees, developing approaches and providing analytical efforts to assess fault causes.
• Assist project team in design of experiments testing to provide necessary data to support detailed analyses.
• Form close working relationships with internal and external customer technical community and specific customer technical points of contact.
• Ability to organize, preserve, and manage engineering data, design documentation, and models to ensure they remain searchable, secure, and accessible for future redesigns, manufacturing, or analysis.

Basic Qualifications for Principal Engineer (level 3):

• Requires Bachelors in Engineering & 5 years of experience or Master’s Degree in Engineering & 3 years of experience or a PhD & one year of experience.
• Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance which requires US Citizenship as a pre‑requisite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Thermal analytical simulation of air‑breathing engines is very desirable; experience with rocket motors is a plus.
• ANSYS mechanical experience is very desirable.
• Applicable experience in performing metals and composite materials thermal/structural analysis.
• Experience with high and low cycle fatigue as well as damage tolerance using NASGRO or equivalent.
• Knowledge of nonlinear material properties and implementation using FEA.
• Personality fit with existing staff, demonstrates leadership skills.
• Personal poise, demonstrated ability to prepare and present analytical results in both oral and written formats.
• Critical thinking skills, logical approaches, attention to detail.

Primary Level Salary Range:

$103,600.00 - $155,400.00. 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.

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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.