Principal/Sr. Principal Structural Analysis Engineer (Active TS or SCI)

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 213,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off

Company-paid holidays

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Sector in Redondo Beach, CA seeks a Principal/Sr. Principal Structural Analysis Engineer to join the Vehicle Engineering Directorate. Onsite role with Top Secret clearance potential and requires strong FEA experience.

You will develop structural designs for space-sector products, analyze stiffness, strength, durability, and design allowables, and create detailed FEMAP/NASTRAN models. Collaboration across reviews is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline.
• 5+ years of engineering experience for Level 3.
• Master's degree with 3+ years or Ph.D. with 1+ year for Level 3.
• Active SCI access at application or TS clearance possible before start.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, research, and develop structural specifications for metallic, non-metallic, and composite materials used in space-sector products.
• Evaluate stiffness, strength, durability, and design allowables; create structural models.
• Specialize in dynamics and loads (sine, random vibration, acoustic, shock), composite structures, bonded‑joint analysis, stability, static stress, and fatigue.
• Develop FEA models and perform structure- and subsystem-level analyses using FEMAP, NASTRAN, MATLAB, and CATIA.
• Review material, system, and subsystem requirements; participate in design reviews.
• Manage and track multiple priorities while aligning with project goals.

Skills

Structural analysis

Dynamics analysis

Fatigue analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

Tools

FEMAP

NASTRAN

Mathcad

MATLAB

CATIA

Job description

Northrop Grumman Space Sector is seeking a Principal/Sr. Principal Structural Analysis Engineer (Level 3 or 4) to join the Vehicle Engineering Directorate within Western Region Engineering. This position is located onsite in Redondo Beach, California.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, research, and develop structural engineering specifications for metallic, non-metallic, and composite materials used in the design and operation of space‑sector products.
• Evaluate stiffness, strength, durability, and design allowables; create structural models.
• Specialize in dynamics and loads (sine, random vibration, acoustic, shock), composite structures, bonded‑joint analysis, stability, static stress, and fatigue.
• Use tools such as FEMAP, NXNASTRAN, Mathcad, MATLAB, CATIA, and other software.
• Develop detailed procedures, evaluate fittings/fasteners/joints/splices, apply acoustics/vibration expertise, plan structural‑integrity testing, create design criteria, assess stability and durability, conduct finite‑element modeling, layout sizing, and structural‑integrity evaluations.
• Review material, system, and subsystem requirements.
• Create FEA models and perform system‑ and subsystem‑level structural analyses.
• Participate and present in internal and external design reviews.
• Manage and track multiple priorities while maintaining focus on common project goals.

Basic Qualifications – Level 3

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of engineering experience; or master’s degree with 3+ years; or Ph.D. with 1+ year.
• Experience with finite‑element analysis tools (FEMAP, NASTRAN).
• Experience sizing metallic and composite structures.
• Active SCI access at application or active Top Secret clearance that can be obtained before the start date.

Basic Qualifications – Level 4

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8+ years of engineering experience; or master’s degree with 6+ years; or Ph.D. with 4+ years.
• Experience with finite‑element analysis tools (FEMAP, NASTRAN).
• Experience sizing metallic and composite structures.
• Active SCI access at application or active Top Secret clearance that can be obtained before the start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on Special Access Programs.
• Participation in multiple design cycles on spacecraft or aircraft development programs.
• Active SCI access with a current polygraph.

Benefits and Compensation

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000 – $171,000. Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200 – $213,400. The range is a general guideline; Northrop Grumman considers factors such as scope, responsibilities, candidate experience, education, skills, and market conditions when determining base salary offers. Employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, discretionary bonuses, long‑term incentives, health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company‑paid holidays, and paid time off.

Relocation assistance may be available. The role requires a Top Secret clearance and may involve 10% travel. U.S. citizenship is required. The application period is approximately 20 days from posting but may vary.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer; for our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit the company website. U.S. citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance.