Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Sr. Principal Aeronautical Engineer – Subsystem Design Engineer to join our team in El Segundo or Palmdale, CA. The candidate should be a self-starter with familiarity working in an Integrated Product Team construct.
Key Responsibilities:
Design and develop subsystem components (avionics, control surfaces, propulsion interfaces, environmental systems) meeting performance, weight, and reliability requirements.
Translate system-level requirements into detailed subsystem specifications, interfaces, and engineering drawings.
Perform trade studies, engineering analyses, and simulations (stress, aeroelasticity, thermal, vibration) to validate subsystem concepts and support design decisions.
Create and maintain technical documentation, including schematics, bills of materials, test plans, and verification matrices.
Support integration and interface activities with other engineering disciplines to ensure subsystem compatibility and compliance.
Plan, execute, and analyze subsystem-level tests (bench, hardware-in-the-loop, environmental) and resolve design deficiencies through corrective actions.
Contribute to configuration management, design reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement activities to ensure producible, maintainable subsystem designs.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote / hybrid / telework available for this position. Travel up to 25% may be required.
Basic Qualifications (Level 4):
Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; OR a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related engineering experience; OR a PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related engineering experience.
Proficiency with CAD and drafting tools (e.g., CATIA, NX, SolidWorks) and creation of engineering drawings and BOMs.
Experience of requirements development and management practices and tools
Experience with subsystem test planning, execution, troubleshooting, and hardware-in-the-loop or bench testing.
Experience with manufacturing/ producibility considerations, design for maintainability, and configuration management processes.
Active USG Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program (SAP) access via a Program Access Request (PAR). This SAP/PAR must be obtained prior to commencement of employment and must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent SAP PARs following commencement of employment to be able to completely support statement of work.
Preferred Qualifications:
Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) clearance.
Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance or higher (with a background investigation within the past 5 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Experience integrating avionics, flight control electronics, sensors, or actuators.
Proficiency with MBSE and simulation
Familiarity with certification processes
Experience performing engineering analyses and simulations (structural, thermal, vibration, aeroelastic) using tools such as Nastran, Ansys, MATLAB/Simulink.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience, or a master’s degree and 6 years, or a PhD and 4 years
- Proficiency with CAD and drafting tools such as CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks, including engineering drawings and bills of materials
- Experience with requirements development and management practices and tools
- Experience planning, executing, troubleshooting, and analyzing subsystem tests, including hardware-in-the-loop or bench testing
- Experience with manufacturing and producibility considerations, design for maintainability, and configuration management
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance with a qualifying background investigation or Continuous Evaluation enrollment
- Ability to obtain and maintain initial Special Access Program access through a Program Access Request before employment
- Ability to obtain and maintain subsequent Special Access Program PARs after employment
- Current applicable Special Access Program clearance
- Active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance or higher
- Experience integrating avionics, flight control electronics, sensors, or actuators
- Proficiency with model-based systems engineering and simulation
- Familiarity with certification processes
- Experience performing structural, thermal, vibration, or aeroelastic engineering analyses using Nastran, Ansys, or MATLAB/Simulink
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.
