Northrop Grumman is seeking a Mechanical Engineer / Principal Mechanical Engineer to join Mission Systems Discipline Engineering Organization. This position will be located in Chantilly, VA
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Create designs, perform analysis, integrate hardware, test deliverables, and generate documentation for hardware systems and systems of systems
- Work in 3D CAD to design solutions
- Utilize 3D CAD and other resources to perform analysis and calculations to validate designs
- Procure, inspect, and assemble first article designs
- Work with manufacturers to validate DFM
- Support operations and maintenance of fielded SIGINT systems
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary engineering team to upgrade and improve developmental and fielded systems to maximize uptime and capabilities
- Interface and collaborate with customers, end users, operators, and field representatives
- This is an on-site and full-time position
- Role includes potential CONUS travel (up to 10%), with more available based on interest and program needs.
This requisition may be filled at either the Mechanical Engineer or Principal Mechanical Engineer level.
Basic Qualifications for Mechanical Engineer:
- Must have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or an equivalent STEM related discipline.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience with a Bachelor's degree; Minimum of 0 years with master's degree; Minimum of 0 Years experience with PhD
- Willing and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
- Experience with design modeling and drawing efforts using 3-D modeling tools
- Experience and willingness to be hands on during hardware assembly, testing and integration
- Experience creating designs using machined steel and aluminum, sheet metal, welded fixtures, additive manufacturing/composites components and assemblies
- Experience creating mechanical documentation; part drawings, assembly drawings, ANSI standards, etc.
- Experience performing mechanical analyses (structural FEA, modal, thermal) to validate and qualify designs.
- Hands-on experience in prototype or production machine shops, including interpreting drawings, tolerances, and GD&T.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Mechanical Engineer:
- Must have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or an equivalent STEM related discipline.
- Minimum of 5 Years of experience with a bachelor's degree; Minimum of 3 years with master's degree; Minimum of 1 Years experience with PhD
- Willing and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
- Experience with design modeling and drawing efforts using 3-D modeling tools
- Experience and willingness to be hands on during hardware assembly, testing and integration
- Experience creating designs using machined steel and aluminum, sheet metal, welded fixtures, additive manufacturing/composites components and assemblies
- Experience creating mechanical documentation; part drawings, assembly drawings, ANSI standards, etc.
- Experience performing mechanical analyses (structural FEA, modal, thermal) to validate and qualify designs.
- Hands-on experience in prototype or production machine shops, including interpreting drawings, tolerances, and GD&T.
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
- Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance
- Experience packaging custom electronics and COTS into ruggedized enclosures for airborne and ground systems.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks (or similar 3D CAD) for complex assemblies, configurations, and ANSI/ASME drawings.
- Experience with CAD data management and configuration control (PDM/PLM, revision control, release workflows).
- Familiarity with model-based definition (MBD) and applying PMI/GD&T within 3D models.
- Experience integrating mechanical designs with electrical, RF, and software in multi discipline teams.
- Experience supporting hardware integration, test, and troubleshooting in lab and field environments.
- Demonstrated ability to produce clear, complete mechanical documentation (parts, assemblies, BOMs, work instructions).
- Aptitude and experience in systems integration and test activities, including hardware / software integration, verification, and troubleshooting.
- Knowledge of SIGINT operations
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent STEM discipline
- Minimum of 2 years' experience with a Bachelor's degree (Mechanical Engineer) or minimum of 5 years' experience with a Bachelor's degree (Principal Mechanical Engineer)
- Willing and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
- Experience with 3-D modeling tools / 3D CAD for design and drawing generation
- Hands-on experience in hardware assembly, testing, integration, and prototype/production machine shops
- Experience designing machined steel and aluminum parts, sheet metal, welded fixtures, and additive manufacturing/composites assemblies
- Ability to create mechanical documentation: part and assembly drawings, BOMs, work instructions, ANSI/ASME standards
- Experience performing mechanical analyses (structural FEA, modal, thermal) to validate designs
- Ability to interpret drawings, tolerances, and GD&T
- Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance
- Experience packaging custom electronics and COTS into ruggedized enclosures for airborne and ground systems
- Proficiency with SolidWorks (or similar complex 3D CAD) and ANSI/ASME drawing generation
- Experience with CAD data management and configuration control (PDM/PLM, revision control, release workflows)
- Familiarity with model-based definition (MBD) and applying PMI/GD&T within 3D models
- Experience integrating mechanical designs with electrical, RF, and software in multidisciplinary teams
- Experience supporting hardware integration, test, and troubleshooting in lab and field environments
- Knowledge of SIGINT operations
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.







