Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems sector is hiring a Mechanical Design Integration (MDI) Engineer (Level 2) / Principal Mechanical Design Integration (MDI) Engineer (Level 3) to join our Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) Engineering team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in El Segundo, California.
The Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) team transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
In this role you will focus on hardware integration, harness routing, and clearance management for complex aircraft systems, collaborating in a multi-disciplinary team environment, balancing multiple priorities, and driving integrated design solutions to completion. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote/telework option for this role.
Key Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Perform harness routing and critical clearance tracking.
- Integrate LRUs, tubing installations, and related mechanical hardware.
- Support drawing release and configuration updates for integrated designs.
- Collaborate in a team environment to drive integrated design solutions.
- Prioritize and adjust tasks to meet program objectives and schedules.
- Comprehend and analyze complex problems and develop practical design solutions.
- Utilize engineering design and integration tools such as NX, Capital, Teamcenter, and other software applications to develop and maintain mechanical and harness designs.
Basic Qualifications:
This requisition may be filled at a Mechanical Design Integration Engineer (Level 2) OR Principal Mechanical Design Integration Engineer (Level 3) level based on the qualifications below.
Mechanical Design Integration Engineer (Level 2)
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline with 2 years of related professional/military experience; OR Master of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline with 0 years of related professional/military experience
- Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Top Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment, prioritize and adjust tasks to meet project objectives, manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, and analyze complex problems to develop practical solutions.
Principal Mechanical Design Integration Engineer (Level 3)
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline with 5 years of related professional/military experience; OR Master of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline with 3 years of related professional/military experience; OR PhD in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline with 1 year of related professional/military experience.
- Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Top Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment, prioritize and adjust tasks to meet project objectives, manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, and analyze complex problems to develop practical solutions.
Preferred Qualifications:
- An active US Government Top Secret clearance
- Experience with engineering toolsets such as NX, Capital, Teamcenter, and other relevant design/integration software.
- Experience working on Special Access Programs.
- Experience working on military aircraft.
- 5 years of aerospace structural design experience using CATIA.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 2 years of related professional or military experience for Level 2
- Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 0 years of related professional or military experience for Level 2
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 5 years of related professional or military experience for Level 3
- Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of related professional or military experience for Level 3
- PhD in a STEM discipline with 1 year of related professional or military experience for Level 3
- Active US Government Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Top Secret clearance and Special Access Program eligibility
- Ability to collaborate effectively, prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and analyze complex problems
- Active US Government Top Secret clearance
- Experience with NX, Capital, Teamcenter, and related design or integration software
- Experience working on Special Access Programs
- Experience working on military aircraft
- Five years of aerospace structural design experience using CATIA
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.







