The Flight Systems Futures operating unit within Strategic Deterrent Systems is seeking highly motivated talent to join a team at the forefront of next-generation hypersonic capabilities. Our team focuses on the design, development, and demonstration of hypersonic re-entry vehicles and advanced payloads, with an emphasis on rapid development and prototyping aligned to specific customer missions. We operate in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment where innovative concepts are matured quickly into credible, testable solutions that address our nation’s most demanding strategic deterrence needs.
Northrop Grumman’s Defense Systems sector is looking for an Principal Mechanical Engineer, located in Roy, UT.
What You'll Get to Do:This role will be joining a team of established mechanical engineers supporting a specific execution program. This role will have the following responsibilities:
Demonstrate a commitment to ethics and integrity, and the capability to innovate while challenging traditional ways of doing business
Operate in an advanced design environment and collaborate across Suppliers as required to accomplish the team goals
Transition innovative solutions, technologies, and advanced concepts for US strategic deterrence interests to programs of record for product development and fielding.
Evaluate mechanical systems, products, components, and applications by reviewing designs.
Ensure product quality by reviewing mechanical designs and validating that current standards are applied.
Support the delivery of Mechanical Systems design Technical Data Packages, interface models, and additional design artifacts
Support structured trade studies to evaluate alternative design solutions to resolve technical issues
Develop and present design change requests, coordinating with impacted internal and external stakeholders, ensuring configuration control of the technical baseline.
Identify risks and opportunities associated with or driven by design factors and executing handling/mitigation/capture actions to reduce risk or realize opportunities.
Develop and mature Mechanical System designs that meet Weapon System requirements, UFC, MIL-STD, and other applicable codes and regulations.
Write clear, testable requirements and verification plans for mechanical subsystems.
Assess vendor provided technical data (drawings, specifications, test reports) for compliance with program requirements.
Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to capture cross domain impacts and resolve conflicts.
Participate in design, trade, and verification reviews; provide status updates to program leadership.
Support configuration control and documentation in accordance with Northrop Grumman engineering standards.
As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:
Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
401k
Educational Assistance
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
Paid Time Off
Health & Wellness Resources
Employee Discounts
This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off. This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package.
You'll Bring These Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field and 5 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree with 3 years of relevant experience; or 1 years with a PhD
U.S. citizen with an active and current Top Secret clearance at time of application
Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business need
2+ years of experience with CAD modeling (Siemens NX preferred)
2+ Experience in mechanical engineering that includes a background in mechanical systems (mechanisms preferred)
Familiar with common engineering standards (ISO, ASME, Mil Spec, NAS, etc.)
Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision, function in a dynamic environment, and be flexible to changing direction
Proficient written and verbal communication skills when conveying technical content
Prior work on mechanical subsystems for nuclear surety or nuclear safety programs.
Experience with Siemens Team Center PLM or similar systems.
Experience with requirements management and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) principles
Experience with system engineering processes and procedures
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM with 5 years relevant experience; or Master's with 3 years; or PhD with 1 year
- U.S. citizen with an active and current Top Secret clearance at time of application
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period
- 2+ years of experience with CAD modeling (Siemens NX preferred)
- 2+ years experience in mechanical engineering including mechanical systems (mechanisms preferred)
- Familiarity with common engineering standards (ISO, ASME, MIL-STD, NAS, UFC)
- Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision and adapt to changing direction
- Proficient written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical content
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.








