We are Northrop Grumman Australia. Our 800 strong team is leveraging unparalleled global resources to deliver sovereign Defence capability aligned to the Government’s priorities across Aeronautics, Mission Critical Systems, Space and Guided Weapons. As we build our business and our capabilities, we are also developing a reputation as a great place to work. Help us define what is possible for our nation and for your career.
We have an opportunity for a Principal Engineer, Mechanical & Structures to provide senior engineering authority supporting the KC‑30A aircraft in service with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Your Role
This is a senior role for an experienced aerospace engineer who wants genuine ownership — trusted to independently review and approve engineering solutions, guide airworthiness decisions, and mentor engineers in a regulated 21J design environment. Your judgement carries weight here.
The role is based in Springfield, Greater Brisbane, offering long‑term stability, strong engineering standards, and the chance to influence how a maturing Military Design Organisation operates.
Key Responsibilities
As a senior member of the Airframes team, you will provide technical leadership across mechanical and structures engineering activities, including:
- independent review and approval of design artefacts, repairs and modifications
- exercising delegated engineering authority across MDO, CAM and MTCH activities
- assessing airworthiness issues, technical risks and system safety impacts
- mentoring engineers and strengthening technical standards across the team
- contributing to continuous improvement of engineering processes and governance
About You
You are an experienced aviation engineer with strong exposure to continuing airworthiness and design assurance. You are comfortable making engineering decisions, standing behind them, and guiding others through complex technical challenges.
You bring deep experience in a 21J Design Organisation, solid knowledge of certification and configuration management, and the credibility to hold or obtain DE1 and CVE authority. You value engineering integrity, clear accountability, and environments where quality comes before shortcuts.
What we Offer
We have built our benefits to help you define your possible.
- Professional Development – further education, leadership development, professional industry memberships and unlimited access to a range of online training
- Purchased annual leave – 2 weeks
- Salary packaging including novated car leases
- Generous paid parental leave – 18 Weeks
- Volunteer and enhanced Reservist Leave
- Health & Wellbeing program
- Employee Assistance Program
Everyone Matters
Doing the right thing and sharing success are two values underpinning how we behave at Northrop Grumman. Here, everyone matters including candidates from diverse backgrounds.
We are particularly proud of our commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as demonstrated through our Second Innovate RAP (2024-2026), and our support for Veteran employment, and welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Veterans to apply to join our team.
For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact [email protected] Please note files cannot be received via this email.
As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, you must be an Australian Citizen. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are applicable, as such your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. You will also need to satisfy police checks and employment screening verification.
Skills Required
- Australian citizenship
- AU-Secret (NV1) security clearance (or ability to obtain)
- Experience in a 21J Design Organisation with continuing airworthiness and design assurance
- Hold or be able to obtain DE1 and CVE engineering authority
- Proven experience in mechanical and structures (airframes) engineering for military/aviation platforms
- Knowledge of certification, configuration management, and airworthiness processes
- Experience assessing technical risks, system safety impacts, and approving repairs/modifications
- Demonstrated leadership and ability to mentor engineers and strengthen technical standards
- Able to pass police checks and employment screening verification
- Willingness to travel (approx. 10%) and work on-site in Springfield, QLD
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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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
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.
