"Please note that this opportunity is contingent on program funding. Start dates are determined after funding confirmation."
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is currently seeking a Staff Engineer Subsystems Aeronautical Design to join our team of diverse, qualified individuals. This position can be located in Palmdale, CA, Oklahoma City, OK, Whiteman AFB, and San Diego, CA.
The Staff Aeronautical Engineer (AE) – Vehicle Subsystems & Integration will lead, and/or serve as the key contributor, on multiple aspects of aircraft subsystem development. The successful candidate will be deeply involved from project inception (RFP, requirements analysis, BOE) through hydraulic electrical subsystem layout, mechanical requirements, and final integration. As the engineering team’s subject matter expert (SME), the AE will guide projects from concept to sustainment, ensuring technical excellence throughout the product lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Design & Development
• Create hydraulic and electrical schematics for functional systems, selecting aircraft type conductors and electromechanical components (connectors, relays, switches, circuit breakers, terminal junction systems).
• Perform system analysis and define requirements for electrical power generation, conversion, distribution, and circuit protection, including Electrical Loads Analysis, power architecture development, test procedures, and related deliverables.
• Conduct similar analysis for hydraulic systems, preparing test procedures, reports, and other deliverables.
System Engineering
• Lead trade studies, layout development, architecture definition, system testing, verification, and troubleshooting for all assigned components.
• Participate in subcontractor management teams; act as the technical point of contact for suppliers during hardware development, qualification, and procurement.
Testing & Verification
• Develop and execute system level test plans, support verification activities, process test data, and resolve issues.
• Perform system level evaluations to confirm that requirements are met and airworthiness criteria are satisfied.
Leadership & Communication
• Serve as the SME for multidisciplinary teams (10+ members), providing technical guidance from concept to sustainment.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to senior leadership (director level and above).
Basic Qualifications:
• Basic Qualifications for a Staff Engineer include a Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) and a minimum of 12 years of experience in Aerospace structural design OR an MS degree in STEM with 10 years of related experience OR a PhD in STEM and 8 years of related experience
• Proven experience leading a system’s development from concept to sustainment (“cradle-to-grave”).
• Demonstrated project-management capabilities.
• Experience acting as a SME for an engineering team of 10?+ members.
• Strong analytical skills with a track record of complex problem solving.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to create and present technical briefings to senior executives.
• Your ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain the final U.S. adjudicated government secret clearance and any program access(es) required for the position within a reasonable period of time, a determined by the Company.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Active U.S. Government Secret (or higher) clearance with a background investigation completed within the past six years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation.
• Experience with military-aircraft subsystem development, including requirements definition, specification authoring, component analysis, procurement, source selection, integration, and test & verification.
• Proficiency interpreting component detail drawings, specifications, installation drawings, and test procedures.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's in STEM with 12+ years related experience OR MS in STEM with 10+ years OR PhD in STEM with 8+ years
- Proven experience leading a system's development from concept to sustainment (cradle-to-grave)
- Demonstrated project-management capabilities
- Experience acting as a subject matter expert for an engineering team of 10+ members
- Strong analytical skills and complex problem-solving experience
- Excellent written and oral communication; ability to create and present technical briefings to senior executives
- Ability to obtain and/or transfer and maintain final U.S. adjudicated government Secret clearance and any required program access
- Active U.S. Government Secret (or higher) clearance with background investigation within past six years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation
- Experience with military-aircraft subsystem development, including requirements definition, specification authoring, component analysis, procurement, integration, and test & verification
- Proficiency interpreting component detail drawings, specifications, installation drawings, and test procedures
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.








