*This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman*
Northrop Grumman Space Sector is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer / Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer to support our Mechanical Systems & Design group based in Gilbert, Arizona.
In this role, the Principal/Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer will support the design, development, and integration of spacecraft structures and mechanical hardware, taking projects from initial requirements through to integration and testing. The selected candidate will utilize advanced Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools and related software to create detailed designs, develop documentation for manufacturing, and support assembly into flight-ready spacecraft.
This role requires strong collaboration and communication skills, as you will interact with internal stakeholders—including customers, program and functional management, and multidisciplinary engineering teams—as well as external component suppliers.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Perform detailed design and analysis utilizing CAD software.
Apply knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Design for Manufacturing principles, and spacecraft component layouts.
Leverage expertise in mechanics of metallic and composite materials, as well as stress calculations, to create optimal designs.
Support spacecraft integration and testing phases.
Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment with program goals and deliverables.
This requisition may be filled at either a Principal Mechanical Engineer level or a Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer level based on the qualifications listed below.
Basic Qualifications - Principal Mechanical Engineer:
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 5+ years of relevant engineering experience or a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 3+ years of relevant engineering experience
Must be able and willing to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance
Basic Qualifications - Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer:
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 8+ years of relevant engineering experience or a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 6+ years of relevant engineering experience
Must be able and willing to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
Active DoD Top Secret clearance or SCI access with current SSBI
Experience with 3D CAD model-based software (specifically Creo Parametric)
Practice in making and reviewing engineering drawings with GD&T in 2D and 3D MBD’s
Experience with 3D Printing, Design for Manufacturing, and hardware fabrication
Experience in satellite and spacecraft structures design
Excellent communication and leadership skills
*This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman*
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 5+ years relevant engineering experience
- Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 3+ years relevant engineering experience (alternative to Bachelor's)
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 8+ years relevant engineering experience (Sr. Principal option)
- Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field with 6+ years relevant engineering experience (Sr. Principal option)
- Must be able and willing to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance
- Active DoD Top Secret clearance or SCI access with current SSBI
- Experience with 3D CAD model-based software, specifically Creo Parametric
- Practice making and reviewing engineering drawings with GD&T in 2D and 3D MBDs
- Experience with 3D printing, hardware fabrication, and Design for Manufacturing
- Experience in satellite and spacecraft structures design and integration
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
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.
