Principal Structural Engineer- 18272

ngc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 109,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

401k

Educational Assistance

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Discretionary Bonus

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems in Huntsville, AL seeks a Principal Structural Engineer to lead complex structural analyses for Advanced Programs. The role requires DoD clearance, strong leadership, and collaboration across teams to ensure program success.

The ideal candidate will perform linear and nonlinear analyses, develop test objectives, and deliver comprehensive reports while interfacing with customers and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM or related field with experience; advanced degree preferred
• Experience with dynamic/static structural analyses using ANSYS/ABAQUS/FEMAP/Nastran
• Strong written/oral communication and leadership capabilities

Responsibilities

• Perform linear and nonlinear finite-element analysis (static, transient, buckling, modal, fatigue, random vibration) using ABAQUS, ANSYS, and FEMAP/Nastran.
• Perform structural analysis of deployable mechanisms, including weld and bolted-joint evaluation.
• Develop and support verification/validation plans and qualification testing activities.
• Produce analysis reports and CDLs for customer deliverables.
• Collaborate with ADP leads to integrate analyses into system-integration efforts.
• Identify technical gaps and drive cost-effective solutions across teams.
• Ensure deliverables satisfy design requirements and applicable standards (ASCE 7, DoD).
• Support data management and ADP release processes.
• Interface with customers and stakeholders, delivering technical presentations and recommendations.

Skills

Finite element analysis

ABAQUS

ANSYS

FEMAP

Nastran

MATLAB

Excel

Technical communication

Leadership

Education

STEM degree

Masters degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

NX 3D modeling

TeamCenter CPLM

JIRA

FEMAP

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: 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 work preserves freedom, democracy, and advances human discovery and our understanding of the universe. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future and have a lot of 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 Defense Systems is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer. This position is located in Huntsville, AL and supports Advanced Programs. This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package.

What You Will Get To Do:

The ideal candidate is a team player; but also, a strong independent contributor with strong leadership skills, demonstrated problem-solving skills, excellent communication skills, as well as interpersonal and organizational skills and a proactive, detail-oriented approach.

Primary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct linear and nonlinear finite-element analysis (static, transient, buckling, modal, fatigue, random vibration) using ABAQUS, ANSYS, and FEMAP/Nastran.
• Perform structural analysis of deployable mechanisms, including weld and bolted-joint evaluation.
• Develop and support test objectives, verification/validation plans, and qualification testing activities.
• Produce comprehensive analysis reports, documentation artifacts, and prepare CDRLs for customer deliverables.
• Collaborate with ADP leads to integrate mechanical analyses into system-integration efforts and ensure alignment with program requirements.
• Identify technical gaps, propose innovative, cost-effective solutions, and drive resolution across interdisciplinary teams.
• Ensure analysis deliverables satisfy design requirements, specifications, and applicable standards (e.g., ASCE 7, DoD guidelines).
• Support digital-transformation initiatives related to analysis data management and ADP release processes.
• Interface with external customers and internal stakeholders, delivering technical presentations and recommendations.

Position Benefits:

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Resources
• Employee Discounts

This positions standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

Basic Qualifications:

Principal Structural Engineer: Bachelors degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of relevant experience, OR a Masters degree and 3 years of relevant experience, OR a PhD and 1 year of relevant experience.

• Must be a US Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance, at time of application, current and within scope, with an investigation date within the last 6 years.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
• Experience running dynamic and static structural analyses using ANSYS, ABAQUS or FEMAP/Nastran.
• Proficiency in post-processing results with MATLAB, MathCAD, or Excel and strong written/oral technical communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance.
• Advanced expertise with ABAQUS, FEMAP, and ANSYS for complex structural analyses.
• Experience with structural test planning and execution, including seismic (ASCE 7) and vibration testing.
• Familiarity with missile program requirements, propulsion integration, and NX 3D modeling with TeamCenter CPLM.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams in an Agile environment using JIRA and delivering high-value customer presentations.

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00The 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.