2026 Associate Aeronautical Engineer/ Aeronautical Engineer - Chandler AZ

Northrop Grumman • Chandler, AZ

2d • $65,800 - $118,900 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking an Aeronautical Engineer to join the Integration and Test team in Launch Vehicles at its Chandler, Arizona facility. The position is 100% on-site and supports one or more launch vehicle programs in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment. Work may involve direct contact with launch vehicle flight hardware and mechanical or electrical ground support equipment.

The role may be filled at level 1 or level 2. Responsibilities include hands-on mechanical integration, developing and maintaining assembly and test procedures, creating concepts of operations for vehicle assembly and testing, implementing hardware design changes, and documenting and dispositioning hardware discrepancies while pursuing root causes and corrective actions. The engineer may also plan and schedule daily tasks and communicate regularly with team members.

The role requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite, and to possess or obtain a U.S. passport for travel. Travel is required; the qualifications state an expectation of 10–20% travel. The posting also lists 10% travel in its position details.

Requirements

• Level 1: Be completing or have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, majoring in Aerospace, Mechanical, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Level 2: Have a bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related discipline and two years of experience, or a master's degree in one of these disciplines and zero years of experience.
• Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite.
• Possess or be able to obtain a U.S. passport for travel.
• Ability to innovate and lead digital transformation efforts.
• Ability to solve problems and drive tasks to completion.
• Ability to work at a fast pace, multitask, and communicate effectively.
• Ability to work in a team environment and lead small projects or teams.
• Ability to travel; the stated expectation in the qualifications is 10–20%.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher.
• Hands-on mechanical integration experience.
• Experience with aerospace standards or guidelines.
• Experience with MES or another digital work instruction platform.
• Experience working with operational hazards such as propulsive devices, pressurized systems, overhead lifting, and high-voltage systems.
• Experience performing formal requirements decomposition and/or verification.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on mechanical integration work.
• Develop and maintain procedures for the assembly and testing of launch vehicle systems.
• Develop concepts of operations for vehicle assembly and testing.
• Incorporate hardware design changes.
• Document and disposition hardware discrepancies, investigate root causes, and pursue corrective actions.
• Plan and schedule day-to-day tasks as needed.
• Communicate constantly and promptly with other team members.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level