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Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, Platform Systems Modernization (PSM) Operating Unit (OU) is seeking a Principal / Sr. Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our team at our Lake Charles, LA facility. Our team provides customers with support Special Mission Aircraft (SMA) heavy maintenance and modifications. This business area focuses on the support, design, analysis, modification, integration, ground and flight testing, airworthiness certification, and logistics support of airborne ISR platforms that are primarily highly modified commercial-derivative aircraft. This includes both Mission Equipment Package (MEP) Support, Platform Maintenance, and Platform/System Modification.
Role and Responsibilities:
The Sr Principal Mechanical Engineer should have knowledge of and experience with aircraft structural design/analysis as well as the various military, space, or aerospace standards commonly used in the defense and aerospace realm.
The candidate should be familiar with aircraft maintenance and modification operations.
Provide liaison support and develop detailed structural analyses in support of drawing release or aircraft repairs including but not limited to free body diagrams, internal or external loading and calculation of internal stresses. These analyses will be in support of Material Review Board (MRB), Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP) and fleet management activities.
Knowledge of Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins (SBs), Large Transport Aircraft Structural Design Criteria, nonstandard repairs, and equivalent strength analysis.
Provide technical guidance to liaison engineers in the design and substantiation of aircraft structural modification integration and/or repairs.
The successful candidate will be a self-starter, a team player, and possess the ability to research and effectively resolve technical issues both independently and as part of a large multi-disciplined team. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as interpersonal skills in order to coordinate with a variety of disciplines are also essential. This position requires the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt quickly to frequently changing requirements. The candidate will be required to effectively and efficiently work at offsite locations that may require travel.
This requisition is open as a dual level opportunity. We will consider candidates at a Level 3 (Principal) or Level 4 (Sr. Principal).
Basic Qualification:
Level 3: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or other STEM related degree with 5 years related experience OR Master’s in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or other STEM related degree with 3 years related experience OR PhD in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or other STEM related degree with 1 year of related experience
Level 4: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or other STEM related degree with 8 years related experience OR Master’s in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or other STEM related degree with 6 years related experience OR PhD in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or other STEM related degree with 4 years related experience
Experience with classical static strength hand analysis
Experience with substantiation of aircraft structural repairs
Experience in aircraft structural and mechanical systems and repairs
Must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DOD secret security clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
10 or more years of work experience with DOD related products
Experience with military and civil airworthiness regulations (MIL-HBK-516 and FAA 14 CFR Part 25)
Stress analysis experience on Naval Aviation programs
Experience on the E-6 or other 707 derivative aircraft
Experience with MRO Engineering Operations
Experience with Material Review Board operations
Experience with aircraft weight and balance
FAA Designated Engineering Representative or NAVDER designation
Demonstrated ability in production issue resolution
Active DOD Secret Security Clearance
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another STEM-related field with 5 years of related experience for Level 3
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another STEM-related field with 3 years of related experience for Level 3
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another STEM-related field with 1 year of related experience for Level 3
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another STEM-related field with 8 years of related experience for Level 4
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another STEM-related field with 6 years of related experience for Level 4
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another STEM-related field with 4 years of related experience for Level 4
- Experience with classical static strength hand analysis
- Experience substantiating aircraft structural repairs
- Experience with aircraft structural and mechanical systems and repairs
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Secret security clearance
- 10 or more years of experience with Department of Defense-related products
- Experience with military and civil airworthiness regulations, including MIL-HDBK-516 and FAA 14 CFR Part 25
- Stress analysis experience on Naval Aviation programs
- Experience with E-6 or other 707 derivative aircraft
- Experience with MRO Engineering Operations
- Experience with Material Review Board operations
- Experience with aircraft weight and balance
- FAA Designated Engineering Representative or NAVDER designation
- Demonstrated ability in production issue resolution
- Active Department of Defense Secret security clearance
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.
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