Northrop Grumman's Space Systems Sector is seeking a Principal Engineer Mechanical for its Aurora, Colorado work location.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, model, and update mechanical designs using CAD tools.
- Create, manage, and maintain accurate Bills of Material (BOM) for parts, subassemblies, and top-level assemblies.
- Support requirements development by:
- Reviewing system and subsystem requirements for mechanical impact.
- Deriving and refining mechanical requirements.
- Ensuring mechanical designs comply with allocated requirements.
- Create and release detailed engineering drawings, including dimensions, tolerances, notes, and callouts, in accordance with applicable standards.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (systems, electrical, manufacturing, supply chain) to ensure design intent, manufacturability, and integration.
- Participate in design reviews, drawing checks, and configuration control activities.
- Support troubleshooting and resolution of mechanical issues during build, integration, and test.
- Document work products in accordance with company procedures and support configuration management of CAD models and drawings.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline and 5 years of experience, or Masters degree and 3 years of experience. 4 additional years required in lieu of a degree.
- Experience with mechanical design and modeling using CAD software (e.g., Creo, NX, SolidWorks, CATIA).
- Experience creating and maintaining BOMs for mechanical assemblies.
- Experience generating and updating engineering drawings, including GD&T and tolerance practices.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work in cross-functional teams.
- Must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in an aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated engineering environment.
- Familiarity with configuration management practices for CAD models and drawings.
- Experience working to relevant standards (e.g., ASME Y14 series).
- Exposure to requirements management tools and model-based engineering practices.
- Hands-on experience supporting prototype builds, testing, or production transition.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline and 5 years of experience
- Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline and 3 years of experience, as an alternative to a bachelor’s degree
- Four additional years of experience in lieu of a degree
- Experience with mechanical design and modeling using CAD software such as Creo, NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA
- Experience creating and maintaining bills of material for mechanical assemblies
- Experience generating and updating engineering drawings, including GD&T and tolerance practices
- Strong communication and collaboration skills in cross-functional teams
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at application, current and within scope
- Ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval or access
- Experience in aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated engineering environment
- Familiarity with configuration management practices for CAD models and drawings
- Experience working with relevant standards such as the ASME Y14 series
- Exposure to requirements management tools and model-based engineering practices
- Hands-on experience supporting prototype builds, testing, or production transition
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.









