Structural Engineer - 3

0903 SP - Propulsion Systems; United States; On-site; USD 98,400 - 147,600; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Structural Engineer – Level 3 in Promontory, UT to support NASA Integration Design for the Space Launch System. You will design hardware, coordinate with NASA, and help integrate the motor into the SLS assembly at Kennedy Space Center.

The role emphasizes design, analysis, testing oversight, and collaboration with subsystem teams to ensure safety, quality, and cost efficiency across large rocket hardware programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil (Structural) Engineering or equivalent with 5 years of professional experience.
• Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience.
• PhD with 1 year of professional experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance.
• Broad understanding of large assemblies and their impact in design and processing.
• Strong CAD including GD&T, tolerance stack‑up analysis and drawing preparation skills.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Strong problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Detail oriented but able to understand the big picture.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to major design activities and coordinate technical efforts.
• Create designs for future rocket motor assembly components and their integration with other subsystems.
• Develop engineering documentation products (drawings, specifications, design and analysis reports, test plans, test reports, etc.).
• Oversee and plan testing for development and qualification of flight hardware products.
• Provide production and assembly support for heritage and new components related to the NASA Space Launch System (SLS).
• Understand, coordinate, and integrate components from subsystem teams into a booster assembly.
• Design associated components and structures to achieve lowest cost from design and lean manufacturing principles.
• Review manufacturing planning.
• Interface with customer technical personnel and program managers.
• Plan and oversee material characterization testing of materials used in the design of integration hardware such as adhesives, metallic and non‑metallic structures, and corrosion protection materials.
• Perform structural analysis to support the design of flight hardware and test articles.
• Perform assessment and develop disposition of discrepant hardware (MRB) and hardware anomalies.
• Create engineering drawings and specifications to define design for hardware fabrication, write test plans, support fabrication efforts, oversee testing, analyze test data, and make revisions to design based on results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

CAD

GD&T

Tolerance analysis

Engineering drawings

Problem solving

Communication

Time management

Mechanical design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or Aerospace/Civil Structural)

Master’s degree (with 3 years of experience)

PhD (with 1 year of experience)

Tools

Siemens NX

ANSYS

ABAQUS

CAD

Job description

Relocation Assistance: May be available. Clearance Required for Start: No. Clearance Type: None. 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.

The Structural Engineer – Level 3 at Promontory, UT will support NASA Integration Design team in designing hardware and processes that facilitate the assembly of the Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket motor hardware and integrate the motor to the full SLS assembly at Kennedy Space Center. Engineers help coordinate with the NASA customer to improve efficiencies in the assembly process while maintaining safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to major design activities and coordinate technical efforts.
• Create designs for future rocket motor assembly components and their integration with other subsystems.
• Develop engineering documentation products (drawings, specifications, design and analysis reports, test plans, test reports, etc.).
• Oversee and plan testing for development and qualification of flight hardware products.
• Provide production and assembly support for heritage and new components related to the NASA Space Launch System (SLS).
• Understand, coordinate, and integrate components from subsystem teams into a booster assembly.
• Design associated components and structures to achieve lowest cost from design and lean manufacturing principles.
• Review manufacturing planning.
• Interface with customer technical personnel and program managers.
• Plan and oversee material characterization testing of materials used in the design of integration hardware such as adhesives, metallic and non‑metallic structures, and corrosion protection materials.
• Perform structural analysis to support the design of flight hardware and test articles.
• Perform assessment and develop disposition of discrepant hardware (MRB) and hardware anomalies.
• Create engineering drawings and specifications to define design for hardware fabrication, write test plans, support fabrication efforts, oversee testing, analyze test data, and make revisions to design based on results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications for Level 3

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil (Structural) Engineering or equivalent with 5 years of professional experience.
• Master’s degree with 3 years of professional experience.
• PhD with 1 year of professional experience.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance.
• Broad understanding of large assemblies and their impact in design and processing.
• Strong skills in CAD including GD&T, tolerance stack‑up analysis and drawing preparation skills.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Strong problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Detail oriented but able to understand the big picture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in rocket motor integration and assembly processes.
• Knowledgeable of NG/SP Engineering drafting process.
• Experience in machine shop operations.
• Knowledgeable of Siemens NX.
• Knowledgeable of ANSYS or ABAQUS.
• Experience with MIL/Aerospace testing methods.

Salary and Benefits

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00. The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors such as 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 reward individual contributions and allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. 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.

EEO Statement

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.