Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.
Entry Level opportunities at Northrop Grumman are unique. Are you interested in boosting your knowledge through experience and exposure, while supporting a mission that seeks to protect our nation and its allies? If so, then Northrop Grumman is the place you!
Our professionals live and breathe different perspectives; we are curious about the world, accepting each other, and aware that the more ideas, backgrounds, opinions and experiences we bring to our work, the stronger that work will be. Just as you would invest your time and hard work into our company, we focus on investing back into you through enriching professional experiences and high-quality learning and development opportunities. We want you to bring your whole self to work, and for you to have meaningful connections with your coworkers, customers and communities, while providing the best products, systems and technologies to protect our world.
Northrop Grumman is seeking Hardware Mechanical Engineers. This position will be located at our Mission Systems Sector in Rolling Meadows, IL.
The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Multidomain Sensing, Targeting and Survivability (MSTS) Division. Rolling Meadows employees are all about redefining what’s possible in the realms of navigation, targeting, and state-of-the-art self-protection. The systems that they design, build, integrate and test are created with the dynamics of present and future operational stakes in mind.
You’ll Have an Opportunity to:
Research, design, develop, and test a variety of electronic equipment, systems, and products such as but not limited to circuitry components, sensors/antennas, transmitters/receivers, analog and digital computers.
Basic Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications for an Associate Hardware Mechanical Engineer:
- Be completing or has completed their Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Be majoring in or having majored in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) degree
- Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
- The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
- An interim U.S. Government Secret clearance is required to start (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
Basic Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications for a Hardware Mechanical Engineer:
- Be completing or has completed their Master’s degree from an accredited institution
- Be majoring in or having majored in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) degree
- Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
- The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
- An interim U.S. Government Secret clearance is required to start (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher
- A current/active U.S. Government Secret clearance
- It will be helpful, though not required, for your course work to include:
- Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, 3D CAD Modeling, Additive Manufacturing, thermal analysis, structural analysis, microelectronics design, opto-mechanical design, environmental testing, ANSYS, ZEMAX, Zuken, Cadence, Hardware IPT Lead, PLM, PDM, Lead, electronics packaging, optics packaging, circuit card, circuit card assembly, FRACAS, DVT, program capture
- Demonstrated capability or experience in leading small to moderately sized teams during the product development process
- Demonstrated application of innovative solutions to complex problems that arise within the design, development, and production phases
- Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills including experience presenting at design reviews
Pay Range for an Associate Hardware Mechanical Engineer: $66,200 - $96,400
Pay Range for a Hardware Mechanical Engineer: $79,600 - $119,400
#campusjobs
Primary Level Salary Range: $66,200.00 - $96,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $79,600.00 - $119,400.00The 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree or completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution for the Associate Hardware Mechanical Engineer level
- Master’s degree or completion of a master’s degree from an accredited institution for the Hardware Mechanical Engineer level
- Major in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related STEM degree
- Ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain Special Access Program eligibility within a reasonable period
- Interim U.S. Government Secret clearance required to start
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher
- Current or active U.S. Government Secret clearance
- Experience or coursework with CAD modeling, thermal analysis, structural analysis, packaging, testing, or related hardware development technologies
- Capability or experience leading small to moderately sized product development teams
- Experience presenting at design reviews and strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
-
Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.








