Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is currently seeking an Aeronautical Engineer or Principal Aeronautical Engineer - Subsystems to add to our Vehicle Engineering organization in Palmdale, CA or San Diego, CA!
This role will be a key contributor on multiple aspects of aircraft subsystem development. The successful candidate will perform task assignments in electrical, mechanical, and/or hydraulic design and development.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Develop electrical wiring designs of a functional system including the selection of aircraft-type conductors and electro-mechanical components such as connectors, relays, switches, circuit breakers, terminal junction systems.
- Support design requirements for electrical power generation, conversion and distribution systems, and circuit protective requirements for aerospace vehicle systems including Electrical Loads Analysis, test procedures, power architectures, reports, analyses, and other vehicle power related deliverables.
- Responsible for all aspects of system/component design and development including trade studies, layouts, architecture definition, system test & verification, and troubleshooting.
- May participate on a subcontractor management team and will act as the technical point of contact with suppliers for hardware development, qualification, and procurement
- System level test planning, execution support, verification, data processing, and troubleshooting
- System level evaluations to verify requirements and ensure airworthiness criteria are met
- Create hydraulic and electrical schematics for functional systems, selecting aircraft type conductors and electromechanical components (connectors, relays, switches, circuit breakers, terminal junction systems).
This position can be filled at the Aeronautical Engineer level or the Principal Aeronautical Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for Aeronautical Engineer:
- Bachelors Degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline with 2 years of related experience OR a Masters Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 0 years of related experience.
- Demonstrated analytical skills with a track record of complex problem solving
- Experience in electrical design of air vehicle systems
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Aeronautical Engineer:
- Bachelors Degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline with 5 years of related experience; OR a Masters Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 3 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 1 year of related experience.
- Demonstrated analytical skills with a track record of complex problem solving
- Experience in electrical design of air vehicle systems
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance. This SAP must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
- Active DoD Secret (or higher) clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Experience with military aircraft subsystem development, with requirements definition, specification development, component analysis, procurement, source selection, integration and test and verification for advance aircraft
- Experience interpreting component detail drawings, specifications, installation drawings, and test procedures
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 2 years of related experience, or a master’s degree with 0 years of related experience for the Aeronautical Engineer level.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 5 years of related experience, master’s degree with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year for the Principal Aeronautical Engineer level.
- Demonstrated analytical skills and a track record of complex problem solving.
- Experience in electrical design of air vehicle systems.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance.
- Active DoD Secret or higher clearance, with a recent background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
- Experience with military aircraft subsystem development, requirements definition, specification development, component analysis, procurement, source selection, integration, and test and verification.
- Experience interpreting component detail drawings, specifications, installation drawings, and test procedures.
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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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.
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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.
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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
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