Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design (R&AD) transforms breakthrough ideas into mission-ready capabilities through intelligent anticipation. We’re the front-end design engine, defining what comes next. From developing cutting-edge next-generation future aircraft to trailblazing collaborative autonomous platforms, we push the boundaries of technology and forge industry-leading partnerships that set new standards for what’s possible.
Our team owns the full lifecycle of advanced concept creation, from visionary early-stage designs and rapid prototyping to high-impact demonstrations and solving the toughest technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management. We seek curious, adaptable people who thrive on turning intuition into breakthrough solutions. If you’re driven to invent the future, build what’s next, and shape the landscape of national security, this is where you belong.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a Staff Product Support Engineer to join our diverse team of professionals within our Research and Advanced Design organization. This position is located onsite in either El Segundo or San Diego, CA.
The Product Support Engineer will work with leadership to ensure quality lifecycle development and logistics products and services are executed in accordance with the Statement of Work (SOW) and are within budget, schedule constraints, and closure criteria. This individual may lead internal and external Teammates/Suppliers to ensure Program Performance, cost/schedule and quality objectives are achieved in collaboration with the program team.
The Product Support Engineer is the responsible technical oversight of Supportability Engineering and ensuring design for supportability is considered for future aircraft concepts. The engineer should be able to analyze design alternatives for supportability while balancing the top-level requirements for mission execution. They will coordinate requirements development, hardware/software design, verification, and validation activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provides oversight of all Product Support technical activities
- Ensures a robust systems engineering approach is executed to support the aircraft design and proposals
- Demonstrates knowledge and experience of aircraft systems including air vehicle, mission computing, communications, and sensors
- Demonstrates knowledge and experience of logistics technical disciplines including Supportability, Reliability, Maintainability, Testability, Modeling and Simulation, Provisioning, and Supply Support (Spares and Repairs)
The selected candidate should thrive in a fast-paced work environment with high expectations, significantly diverse assignments, and collaborative/team settings across all levels. The candidate must have strong written, verbal and presentation skills with proven ability to develop and maintain strong customer relationships.
Basic Qualifications:
Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline AND 12 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 10 years of related professional/military experience, OR a STEM Ph.D. AND 8 years of related professional/military experience
Must have an active US Government Secret (or higher) 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.
Must have experience in the Integrated Logistics Elements: Reliability & Maintainability, Prognostic Health Management, Modeling & Simulation, Obsolescence Management, Fleet & Field Support, Support Equipment Engineering, Logistics Support Analysis, Supportable Low Observables, Support Hardware, and/or Technical Publications and Training
Must have experience in Supportability Engineering, including Reliability & Maintainability, DMSMS, Prognostics & Health Management, and/or fleet operational and sparing modeling.
Must have experience in proposals and capture activities for Product Support
Must be willing and able to travel up to 25%.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working Product Support efforts on development and/or sustainment programs.
- Previous U.S. Military experience with operations and/or aircraft maintenance background.
- Previous experience in competitive capture proposals for Product Support
- Strong skills in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, MS Project, and PowerPoint.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science in STEM with 12 years related experience OR Master of Science in STEM with 10 years OR Ph.D. in STEM with 8 years
- Active US Government Secret (or higher) clearance with background investigation within past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
- Experience in Integrated Logistics Elements (Reliability & Maintainability, Prognostic Health Management, Modeling & Simulation, Obsolescence Management, Fleet & Field Support, Support Equipment Engineering, Logistics Support Analysis, Provisioning, Supply Support, Technical Publications and Training)
- Experience in Supportability Engineering (including Reliability & Maintainability, DMSMS, Prognostics & Health Management, fleet operational and sparing modeling)
- Experience in proposals and capture activities for Product Support
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%
- Work onsite in El Segundo or San Diego, CA (relocation assistance may be available)
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with ability to develop and maintain customer relationships
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.






