Sr. Principal Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corp.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Sr. Principal Design Engineer in California to lead structural analyses and subsystem design for airframe components.

The role involves translating system requirements into detailed specs, performing robust analyses, and guiding trade studies to optimize performance, weight, and reliability. The ideal candidate holds advanced CAD skills (CATIA/NX/SolidWorks), experience in MBSE, and can contribute to IPD/IPT activities.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, or Civil) with 8+ years aerospace structural analysis experience; MS with 6+ years; PhD with 4+ years.
• Proficiency with CAD and drafting tools (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks) and creating drawings and BOMs.
• Experience with subsystem test planning, execution, troubleshooting, and hardware-in-the-loop or bench testing.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop subsystem components (avionics, controls, propulsion interfaces, environmental systems) meeting performance, weight, and reliability requirements.
• Translate system-level requirements into detailed subsystem specifications, interfaces, and drawings.
• Perform trade studies, analyses (stress, aeroelasticity, thermal, vibration) to validate concepts and support decisions.
• Create and maintain technical documentation (schematics, BOMs, test plans, verification matrices).
• Support integration with other engineering disciplines to ensure compatibility and compliance.
• Plan, execute, and analyze subsystem tests (bench, hardware-in-the-loop, environmental) and resolve design deficiencies.
• Contribute to configuration management, design reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement for producible designs.

Skills

CAD proficiency

Requirements development

Subsystem test planning

Documentation

IPT leadership / teamwork

Clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering (Aerospace/Mechanical/Civil)

Master's in Engineering (Aerospace/Mechanical/Civil)

PhD in STEM

Tools

CATIA

NX

SolidWorks

Nastran

FEMAP

Patran

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 Aeronautic Systems has an opening for a Sr. Principal Design Engineer to join our team of qualified diverse individuals. This position will be located in Palmdale or El Segundo, CA. The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) construct.Looking for an Engineer who analyzes, researches and develops structural engineering specifications involving metals, non-metallic or composite structural materials for product design. Analyzes damage tolerance, durability of metal and composite airframe structures. Knowledge of random vibration analysis. Tools utilized may include Catia, FEMAP, Patran, Nastran and a variety of software applications.Essential Functions:Design and develop subsystem components (avionics, control surfaces, propulsion interfaces, environmental systems) meeting performance, weight, and reliability requirements.Translate system-level requirements into detailed subsystem specifications, interfaces, and engineering drawings.Perform trade studies, engineering analyses, and simulations (stress, aeroelasticity, thermal, vibration) to validate subsystem concepts and support design decisions.Create and maintain technical documentation, including schematics, bills of materials, test plans, and verification matrices.Support integration and interface activities with other engineering disciplines to ensure subsystem compatibility and compliance.Plan, execute, and analyze subsystem-level tests (bench, hardware-in-the-loop, environmental) and resolve design deficiencies through corrective actions.Contribute to configuration management, design reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement activities to ensure producible, maintainable subsystem designs.Basic Qualifications:BS degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, or Civil) and a minimum of 8 years of experience in Aerospace structural analysis or MS degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, or Civil) with 6 years of experience OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience..Proficiency with CAD and drafting tools (e.g., CATIA, NX, SolidWorks) and creation of engineering drawings and BOMs.Strong knowledge of requirements development and management practices and toolsExperience with subsystem test planning, execution, troubleshooting, and hardware-in-the-loop or bench testing.Familiarity with manufacturing/ producibility considerations, design for maintainability, and configuration management processes.Active USG Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.Preferred Qualifications:Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.Active USG Top Secret clearance or higher (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).Experience integrating avionics, flight control electronics, sensors, or actuators.Proficiency with MBSE and simulationFamiliarity with certification processesExperience performing engineering analyses and simulations (structural, thermal, vibration, aeroelastic) using tools such as Nastran, Ansys, MATLAB/Simulink.Have some proficiency in 3-dimensional, constraint based, design systems, CATIA or NX.Have some familiarity with configuration management tools such as Teamcenter or CPLMExperience with EVMS, CAM certificationPrevious Team Leadership - IPT, Project Management, etcPrimary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The 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.