Principal or Sr. Principal Engineer Aeronautical - Mechanical Systems Responsible Engineer
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Aeronautical Engineer OR Sr. Principal Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical Systems Responsible Engineer) to join our Air Vehicle Subsystems and Architecture team in Melbourne, FL.
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 10% may be required.
The selected candidate will be responsible for development, design, testing, and integration of mechanical systems and landing gear on an advanced aircraft.
Responsibilities:
Support advanced aircraft design efforts with landing gear and mechanical system design, hardware selection, placement, preliminary sizing, and initial integration into different aircraft configurations.
Provide mechanisms design support to other aircraft sub-systems, such as drive systems and door uplocks for in-flight door operations.
Develop 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, hydraulic, and structural interfaces for the system.
Support the supplier management team by being the primary technical interface between NGAS and 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.
Provide technical documentation to, and author, multiple engineering design guidance and manuals on test reports, certifications, evaluations, technical reviews, leadership presentations, and detail design and development of the aircraft.
Learn Cost Account Management and be responsible for Earned Value Management of multiple accounts for labor and hardware deliveries.
This position can be filled at either the Principal Aeronautical Engineer level 3 or the Sr. Principal Aeronautical Engineer level 4, depending on experience and qualifications listed below.
Basic Qualifications
Basic qualifications for a Principal Aeronautical Engineer include a Bachelor’s degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 5 years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree in a related STEM discipline and 3 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM discipline with 1 year of relevant experience.
Basic qualifications for a Sr. Principal Aeronautical Engineer include a Bachelor’s degree in a related Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline with 8 years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree in a related STEM discipline and 6 years of relevant experience; OR a PhD in a related STEM discipline with 4 years of relevant experience.
U.S Citizenship required
Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs. This SAP must be obtained prior to employment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with engagement on technical and programmatic interaction with suppliers and supplier management
Experience creating and presenting technical board packages to program leadership and customer for approval
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a related STEM discipline and 5 years of relevant experience for Principal level
- Master's degree in a related STEM discipline and 3 years of relevant experience for Principal level
- PhD in a related STEM discipline and 1 year of relevant experience for Principal level
- Bachelor's degree in a related STEM discipline and 8 years of relevant experience for Senior Principal level
- Master's degree in a related STEM discipline and 6 years of relevant experience for Senior Principal level
- PhD in a related STEM discipline and 4 years of relevant experience for Senior Principal level
- U.S. citizenship
- Active U.S. Government Secret clearance with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program clearance before employment
- Experience engaging with technical and programmatic supplier interactions and supplier management
- Experience creating and presenting technical board packages to program leadership and customers
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.








