Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Principal or Sr. Principal CAD/CAM Engineer based out of Oxnard, CA.
What You'll Get To Do:
Join our dedicated Southern California Field Engineering team where you will get be a part of a team that designs, develops, tests, delivers, and operates advanced prototypes and unique marine systems. This role operates in a fast-paced environment and in a collaborative team setting across all levels of the organization.
You will plan, lay out, model, draw, and revise detailed part, assembly, and installation engineering drawings using basic layouts, established references, and standard engineering data. You will apply basic knowledge of design and analysis tools and employ the application of general standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques. You will utilize computer-aided design equipment and/or graphic tools such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX, and AutoCAD.
In this role, you will focus on managing the migration of model-based designs into new configuration management (CM) tools. You will incorporate new workflows into these CM tools to support engineering changes to models and make process improvements within the tools.
You will collaborate closely with design and manufacturing engineers, electrical and mechanical assembly technicians, and operators to ensure systems and components meet design requirements.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Create and/or finalize 3D models for components and assemblies
- Migrate models and drawings into new configuration management (CM) tools (Solidworks Product Data Manager)
- Drive workflow changes and improvements
- Determine scaling
- Insert necessary reference planes, centering and dimension lines, hidden line interpolations, and sectioning
- Prepare specifications for parts, assemblies, and installations
- Prepare complete production detail drawings
- Contribute design modifications to improve quality of model or design
- Occasionally climb ladders and scaffolding to make measurements and confirm mechanical details of assemblies and systems
This position may be filled as a Principal CAD/CAM Engineer or Sr. Principal CAD/CAM Engineer.
Basic Qualifications for Principal CAD/CAM Engineer:
- Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree and 3 year of relevant experience; an additional 4 years of experience may be used in lieu of a Bachelor's degree
- Experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX 3D, CATIA or AutoCAD
- Experience with CAD CM tools such as PDM, Siemens Teamcenter, or Windchill PLM
- Able to communicate with various levels of leadership, must be able to coordinate and resolve technical problems and must work well collaboratively in a team environment as well as independently with limited guidance
- U.S. Citizenship and current/active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance required; must be able to obtain/maintain SCI and Program Special access prior to starting
Basic Qualifications for Sr. Principal CAD/CAM Engineer:
- Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree and 6 year of relevant experience; an additional 4 years of experience may be used in lieu of a Bachelor's degree
- Experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX 3D, CATIA or AutoCAD
- Experience with CAD CM tools such as PDM, Siemens Teamcenter, or Windchill PLM
- Able to communicate with various levels of leadership, must be able to coordinate and resolve technical problems and must work well collaboratively in a team environment as well as independently with limited guidance
- U.S. Citizenship and current/active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance required; must be able to obtain/maintain SCI and Program Special access prior to starting
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to model fully defined components, assemblies, and complex systems efficiently using SolidWorks
- Experience implementing or being a database administrator for PDM
- Demonstrated expertise in drawing and revising detailed part, assembly, and installation engineering drawings
- Demonstrated expertise developing drawings to current GD&T standards
- Strong knowledge of product lifecycle management
- Demonstrated independent planning, organization, and working in cross-functional teams with both internal and external customers.
- Proven ability to handle detail-oriented work processes
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree and 5 years of relevant experience for Principal level, or Master's degree and 3 years of relevant experience; an additional 4 years may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.
- Bachelor's degree and 8 years of relevant experience for Sr. Principal level, or Master's degree and 6 years of relevant experience; an additional 4 years may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.
- Experience with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX 3D, CATIA, or AutoCAD.
- Experience with CAD configuration-management tools such as PDM, Siemens Teamcenter, or Windchill PLM.
- Ability to communicate with leadership, coordinate and resolve technical problems, and work collaboratively and independently with limited guidance.
- U.S. citizenship and a current, active U.S. Government Top Secret clearance.
- Ability to obtain and maintain SCI and Program Special access before starting.
- Ability to efficiently model fully defined components, assemblies, and complex systems using SolidWorks.
- Experience implementing or administering PDM databases.
- Expertise in detailed part, assembly, and installation engineering drawings.
- Expertise developing drawings to current GD&T standards.
- Strong knowledge of product lifecycle management.
- Independent planning, organization, and cross-functional collaboration with internal and external customers.
- Ability to handle detail-oriented work processes.
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.
