Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is looking to add a Principal or Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Landing Gear) to our team in El Segundo, CA or Rancho Bernardo, CA.
The selected candidate will be responsible for development, design, and integration of landing gear on an advanced aircraft.
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Identify existing and/or conceptual landing gear systems to meet requirements, creating 3D models and layouts, and performing trade studies to analyze the impact of integrating proposed mechanisms systems onto aircraft, as well as identify main driver variables that most significantly impact top level program requirements.
- Support advanced aircraft design efforts with landing gear system design, hardware selection, placement, preliminary sizing, and initial integration into different aircraft configurations. Secondary role is to provide mechanisms design support to other aircraft sub-systems, such as drive systems and door uplocks for in-flight door operation.
- Develop landing gear system requirements and create the associated system specifications, supplier procurement specifications, and supplier SOWs. This will include, but is not limited to, creating functional architecture and activity diagrams, in collaboration with other sub-system engineering disciplines to understand power, cooling, signal, and structural interfaces for the landing gear system.
- Support the supplier management team by being the primary technical interface between NGAS and landing gear supplier subject matter experts.
- Participate in internal program, customer, and supplier technical exchange meetings and formal program milestone reviews to provide and/or obtain progress status updates.
- Provide technical guidance to, and coordinate with, multiple engineering design teams, including the aircraft configuration team, the structures team, sub-systems team, and supplier management teams supporting the conceptual, preliminary, and detail design and development of the aircraft.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility. There is no remote/telework option for this role.
This position requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
This position can be filled at either the Principal Aeronautical Engineer OR Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer level, depending upon the qualifications below.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Aeronautical Engineer:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 5 years of related experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 3 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 1 year of related experience.
- Prior experience with aircraft landing gear systems and landing gear design
- Prior experience with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software applications
- Familiarity with industry standard software application tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, etc.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).
Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Aeronautical Engineer:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline with 8 years of related experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 6 years of related experience; OR a PhD in a relevant STEM discipline with 4 years of related experience.
- Prior experience with aircraft landing gear systems and landing gear design
- Prior experience with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software applications
- Familiarity with industry standard software application tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, etc.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).
Preferred Qualifications for both levels:
- Master’s Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
- Expert knowledge of landing gear design including:
- Landing gear placement (both deployed and retracted positions)
- Landing gear loads and preliminary sizing
- Shock struts
- Wheel and tire selection
- Braking systems
- Retraction and locking systems
- Landing gear door sequencing mechanisms
- Experience with Siemens NX CAD application, including NX Motion module
- Familiarity with development of landing gear doors, door actuation and door locks, as well as the development of in-flight door opening mechanisms
- Prior experience leading a team of engineers
- Prior experience in coordinating with multiple Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) within a dynamic program environment
- Experience with suppliers and supplier coordination
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Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 5 years of related experience, or master’s degree with 3 years, or PhD with 1 year for Principal level
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline with 8 years of related experience, or master’s degree with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years for Senior Principal level
- Prior experience with aircraft landing gear systems and landing gear design
- Prior experience with 3D computer-aided design software applications
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and other industry-standard software tools
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access
- Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline
- Expert knowledge of landing gear placement, loads, sizing, shock struts, wheel and tire selection, braking, retraction and locking systems, and door sequencing mechanisms
- Experience with Siemens NX CAD, including the NX Motion module
- Experience developing landing gear doors, actuation, door locks, and in-flight door opening mechanisms
- Prior experience leading a team of engineers
- Prior experience coordinating with multiple Integrated Product Teams in a dynamic program environment
- Experience working with suppliers and coordinating supplier activities
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.
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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.
