Staff Propulsion Engineer - Spacecraft Propulsion Subsystem

Posted Yesterday
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Redondo Beach, CA, USA
In-Office
177K-266K Annually
Expert/Leader
Aerospace • Logistics • Security • Software • Cybersecurity
The Role
Leads spacecraft propulsion subsystems through design, analysis, procurement, manufacturing, testing, and delivery. Responsibilities include propulsion architecture, fluid component selection, fluid and multidisciplinary engineering analyses, mechanical design oversight, hot-fire testing, customer and supplier coordination, test campaign leadership, and issue resolution. The role also involves requirements verification, design reviews, team leadership, scheduling, earned value management, and propulsion hardware supply-chain activities.
Summary Generated by Built In
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.


Northrop Grumman Space Sector is seeking a Staff Propulsion Engineer – Spacecraft Propulsion Subsystem to join our Thermal, Propulsion & Cryocooler Systems (TPCS) department within our Vehicle Engineering directorate (West Region Engineering).


The Staff Propulsion Engineer’s primary responsibility is to lead the propulsion subsystem through the full lifecycle, from design and analysis through build and delivery. This position will be based on-site in Redondo Beach, CA.


Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Leading the architecture and design of the spacecraft propulsion system
  • Overseeing selection and procurement of fluid components
  • Performing analyses in fluid mechanics and scoping, bounding, and reviewing analyses in combustion, aerodynamics, thermal, and stress
  • Guiding mechanical design and overseeing manufacturing operations and hot-fire testing on flight hardware
  • Interfacing with program customers and suppliers
  • Overseeing testing campaigns
  • Participating in issue resolution

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline with 12+ years of propulsion engineering or other relevant engineering experience; OR Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 10+ years of stated experience; OR Ph.D. in a STEM discipline with 8+ years of stated experience
  • Experience with monopropellant or bipropellant spacecraft propulsion systems
  • Must have an active U.S. Government SCI access at the time of application OR an active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain SCI access within a reasonable period, as determined by the company, prior to the start date

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Active, in-scope U.S. Government Top Secret/SCI clearance
  • Experience developing and verifying requirements for propulsion subsystems
  • Experience performing propulsion subsystem fluid analyses
  • Experience leading design reviews with internal and external customers
  • Experience working with hypergolic propellants
  • Experience leading teams
  • Experience managing schedules and performing earned value management
  • Experience with spacecraft propulsion component hardware procurement and supply chain operations
  • Experience writing test plans for propulsion subsystem and thruster testing

#LosAngelesSpace

#SpaceEngJobs

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and 12+ years of propulsion engineering or relevant engineering experience
  • Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and 10+ years of propulsion engineering or relevant engineering experience
  • Ph.D. in a STEM discipline and 8+ years of propulsion engineering or relevant engineering experience
  • Experience with monopropellant or bipropellant spacecraft propulsion systems
  • Active U.S. Government SCI access at application, or active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain SCI access before start
  • Active, in-scope U.S. Government Top Secret/SCI clearance
  • Experience developing and verifying propulsion subsystem requirements
  • Experience performing propulsion subsystem fluid analyses
  • Experience leading design reviews with internal and external customers
  • Experience working with hypergolic propellants
  • Experience leading teams
  • Experience managing schedules and performing earned value management
  • Experience with spacecraft propulsion component hardware procurement and supply-chain operations
  • Experience writing test plans for propulsion subsystem and thruster testing

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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The Company
HQ: Charlotte, North Carolina
85,636 Employees

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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