Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for an Aeronautical OR Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Liaison Engineering) to join our team located at NAS Whidbey in Oak Harbor, WA!
This position will work first shift and will assist with the disposition of withheld supplier tags. To be successful in this role, one should have experience with designing repairs for discrepant detail parts and assemblies fabricated from composite materials.
Duties Include:
- Interface with multiple suppliers, dispositioning of discrepant material tags, interfacing with stakeholder groups such as Structural Analysis, Materials & Processing, and Manufacturing personnel in the design center and build facilities.
- Utilize strong communication and collaboration skills
- Use knowledge of Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
This position can be filled at either the Aeronautical Engineer (Liaison Engineering) level or the Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Liaison Engineering) level, depending upon the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for Aeronautical Engineer:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 3 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master's degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 0 years of related professional/military experience.
- Hands-on experience in a composites manufacturing facility
- Experience with composite airframe structures.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP). 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:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of related professional/military experience; OR a Master's degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 3 years of related professional/military experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 1 year of related professional/military experience.
- Hands-on experience in a composites manufacturing facility
- Experience with composite airframe structures.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP). 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:
- Experience with military specs and standards.
- Experience with repair processes for composite materials used in aerospace structures.
- Experience interfacing with a military customer
- Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering
- Active US Government Secret clearance
- Current applicable SAP access
- Northrop Grumman MRB EN signature
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 3 years of related professional or military experience for the Aeronautical Engineer level
- Master's degree in a relevant STEM discipline with no years of related professional or military experience for the Aeronautical Engineer level
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 5 years of related professional or military experience for the Principal Aeronautical Engineer level
- Master's degree in a relevant STEM discipline and 3 years of related professional or military experience for the Principal Aeronautical Engineer level
- PhD in a relevant STEM discipline and 1 year of related professional or military experience for the Principal Aeronautical Engineer level
- Hands-on experience in a composites manufacturing facility
- Experience with composite airframe structures
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain Special Program Access within a reasonable timeframe
- Experience with military specifications and standards
- Experience with composite-material repair processes used in aerospace structures
- Experience interfacing with a military customer
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering
- Active US Government Secret clearance
- Current applicable Special Program Access
- Northrop Grumman MRB EN signature
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
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.








