Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (DS) is seeking an Aerodynamics Systems Engineer 4 to provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex difficult aerodynamics problems for weapon systems within the Advanced Weapons Business Unit located in Northridge, CA. Our Advanced Weapons team designs, develops, and manufactures missile systems that support U.S. national and allied security objectives.
This position is required to be full-time, on-site in the Northridge, CA location. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position. Applicants must have a current US Government DoW Secret security clearance.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Aerodynamics Systems Engineer 4 will independently determine and develop approach to aerodynamics solutions to complex difficult aerodynamics problems. This role focuses on the performance, stability, and controllability of missiles and other guided weapons across the flight envelope. You will work closely with systems engineering, guidance and control, test, and manufacturing teams to ensure aerodynamic performance requirements are met and verified. Your work will provide aerodynamic analysis and design activities for advanced weapon systems, supporting U.S. Government and defense customers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Collaborate with other engineering disciplines in supersonic/hypersonic airframe design and analysis with appropriate aerodynamic methodologies and prediction tools.
- Design CFD and Wind Tunnel test matrix. Conduct CFD and Wind Tunnel tests and evaluate test results. Generate and verify aerodynamic coefficient table and modeling them in the 6DOF (degree-of-freedom) simulation testbed.
- Conduct design reviews of aero models and compare them to validated models or empirically derived data. Attend and present at various design reviews and test readiness reviews.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant experience; or MS with 6 years of the prior mentioned experience or a PhD with 4 years of the same experience
- Experience using Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, or CFD++
- Strong aerodynamic design experience, including control surface sizing and prediction of 6 component aerodynamic coefficients
- Experience developing stability and control derivatives, developing test matrices for CFD and wind tunnel testing, conducting CFD analyses and wind tunnel tests, and critically evaluating test and analytic results
- Experience developing 6DOF aerodynamic models and verifying aerodynamic models in 6DOF nonlinear simulations
- Experience with FNS CFD solvers, potential flow codes, Missile DATCOM or equivalent, MATLAB, and Simulink
- Experience collaborating in flight vehicle system development
- Current US Government DoW Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Masters or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or Aerodynamics
- Experience in the following: Tactical missile design, Flight vehicle control actuation system sizing, Flight dynamics analyses and predictions
- Working knowledge of Multi-Disciplined Analysis and Optimization
- Understanding of Configuration management, Missile guidance and flight control, inclusive of the software development process
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related field with 8+ years experience; OR MS with 6 years; OR PhD with 4 years
- Experience using Ansys Fluent
- Experience using STAR-CCM+
- Experience using CFD++
- Strong aerodynamic design experience, including control surface sizing and prediction of six-component aerodynamic coefficients
- Experience developing stability and control derivatives and developing test matrices for CFD and wind tunnel testing
- Experience conducting CFD analyses and wind tunnel tests and critically evaluating results
- Experience developing 6DOF aerodynamic models and verifying models in 6DOF nonlinear simulations
- Experience with FNS CFD solvers and potential flow codes
- Experience with Missile DATCOM or equivalent
- Experience with MATLAB and Simulink
- Experience collaborating in flight vehicle system development
- Current US Government DoW Secret security clearance (active)
- On-site work in Northridge, CA (no remote/telework)
- Masters or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or Aerodynamics
- Experience in tactical missile design, flight vehicle control actuation sizing, flight dynamics analyses and predictions
- Working knowledge of Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization
- Understanding of configuration management, missile guidance and flight control, and software development process
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.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
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.









