Principal/Sr. Principal Materials and Process Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 103,600 - 193,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime eligibility

Shift differential

Discretionary bonus

Long-term incentives

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Company-paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems in Palmdale, CA, seeks a Materials and Processes Engineer at Principal or Senior Principal level.

The role involves defining and implementing advanced materials and processes to support assembly lines, with duties spanning testing, qualification, and process development while coordinating with suppliers and program offices.

Qualifications

• Degree in a related STEM field with relevant engineering experience.
• Experience with material testing and material qualification.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Secret clearance.
• Ability to obtain clearance and SAP/SAR.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, implement, and transition new materials, processes, and technology solutions to support the assembly line, increasing efficiency, reducing cost, and improving quality.
• Support the implementation and streamlining of production applications including composites fabrication, bonding, liquid shim, part/assembly installation, coatings, and more.
• Develop test plans, standard repairs, and evaluate materials and process performance to verify efficiency.
• Analyze, research, and develop materials and application processes for engineering design of structures, systems, and subsystems.
• Apply principles of chemistry, physics, and material behavior to investigate material issues and provide solutions.
• Support production teams, identify and initiate corrective action of problems and deficiencies to meet F35 contractual obligations and maintain product quality.
• Apply knowledge of integral fuel tank sealing, bonding with adhesives, primer/topcoat application, fairing compounds, fastener fillers, composite rework/repair, material review board, MES, RFIs/changes from suppliers, and design support.
• Utilize tools such as PDM, JDL, EMAP, Catia, and VAS for investigations.
• Interface with internal and external customers, program offices, engineering disciplines, and executive management.
• Handle multiple projects concurrently in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.
• Exercise project management skills to scope, execute assigned work, and manage project efforts.

Skills

Material testing experience

Material qualification experience

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s Degree (preferred)

PhD (optional)

Tools

PDM

JDL

EMAP

Catia

VAS

Job description

Relocation assistance may be available.

Clearance required for start: Yes. Clearance type: Secret.

Travel: Yes, 10% of the time.

Description

At Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, we have an opening for a Materials and Process Engineer in Palmdale, CA. This position can be filled at the Principal Engineer Material Process or Senior Principal Engineer Material Process level.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, implement, and transition new materials, processes, and technology solutions to support the assembly line, increasing efficiency, reducing cost, and improving quality.
• Support the implementation and streamlining of various production applications including composites fabrication, bonding, liquid shim, part/assembly installation, coatings, and more.
• Develop test plans, standard repairs, and evaluate materials and process performance to verify efficiency.
• Analyze, research, and develop materials and application processes for engineering design of structures, systems, and subsystems.
• Apply principles of chemistry, physics, and material behavior to investigate material issues and provide solutions.
• Support production teams, identify and initiate corrective action of problems and deficiencies to meet F35 contractual obligations (technical, schedule, cost) and maintain product quality.
• Apply knowledge of integral fuel tank sealing, bonding with adhesives, primer/topcoat application, fairing compounds, fastener fillers, composite rework/repair, material review board, manufacturing execution system, manufacturing plan review, requests for information or change from suppliers, and design support.
• Utilize tools such as PDM, JDL, EMAP, Catia, and VAS for investigations.
• Interface with internal and external customers, program offices, engineering disciplines, and executive management.
• Handle multiple projects concurrently in a dynamic, fast‑paced work environment.
• Exercise project management skills to scope, execute assigned work, and manage project efforts.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications for Principal Materials and Processes Engineer

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related STEM discipline with 5 years of relevant engineering experience OR Master’s Degree with 3 years OR PhD with 1 year.
• Demonstrated experience with material testing and material qualification.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Secret clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance and Special Program Access (SAP/SAR).

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Materials and Processes Engineer

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related STEM discipline with 8 years of relevant engineering experience OR Master’s Degree with 6 years OR PhD with 4 years.
• Demonstrated experience with material testing and material qualification.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US Government Secret clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain clearance and Special Program Access (SAP/SAR).

Preferred Qualifications for both levels

• Experience with film adhesives, carbon fiber, BMI, sealing aircraft components, primer/topcoat applications, and metallic structures.
• Experience with Supplier Management.
• Experience with low observable material, coating thickness verification, surface preparation, material reactivation, fairing compounds, and fastener fillers.
• New material integration and interface with production personnel.
• Government and customer interface experience.
• Root cause investigation and corrective action implementation.

Salary

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600 – $155,400.

Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300 – $193,300.

Benefits

Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonus, and potentially long‑term incentives. Benefits include health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

Equal Opportunity

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. U.S. citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance.