Energetics Lead Engineer Propulsion – Level 3/4: Active Secret Clearance

Northrop Grumman • Chandler, AZ

6d • $98,400 - $184,200 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman’s Mechanical Engineering & Energetics team is hiring an Energetics Lead Engineer Propulsion at its Chandler, Arizona location. The role serves as the Energetics Lead for the Advanced Weapons Systems product line, with responsibility for ordnance, pneumatic, hydraulic, and solid rocket motor analysis and integration. The lead develops performance predictions and conducts component- and system-level testing to validate design and functional requirements; oversees supplier deliverables for technical compliance and schedule adherence; and dispositions nonconforming hardware and leads anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.

The role leads a team of Energetics Engineers in the day-to-day system design, test, and integration of energetics hardware for classified subsystems or launch vehicles. It applies engineering principles, standards, and customer requirements to develop energetics systems, and provides technical guidance across project design, test, production, and maintenance. The engineer scopes and plans engineering work, develops conceptual designs and risk assessments, supports requirements and specifications, conducts trade studies, and prepares and presents technical and programmatic materials. The position also serves as a Control Account Manager and performs associated Earned Value Management System reporting.

The engineer performs hands-on functional and environmental testing of pneumatic and energetics components and systems, and acts as the responsible engineer supporting an Integrated Product Team for a medium-sized subcontract. This includes coordinating supplier change notifications, nonconformances, hardware acceptance reviews, and other supplier interactions. For flight tests, the role oversees energetics hardware integration and checkout at the field site, participates in launch operations, conducts pre-launch reviews and flight-readiness assessments, and leads post-flight data review and documentation. Travel to supplier and launch facilities is up to 10% of the time.

The position requires an active U.S. Government Secret security clearance or higher at the time of application. The job posting lists separate basic qualification and salary ranges for Level 3 and Level 4.

Requirements

• Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance or higher at the time of application.
• For Level 3: Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 5 years of related engineering experience; or a STEM master's degree and 3 years of related engineering experience; or a STEM Ph.D. and 1 year of related engineering experience.
• For Level 4: Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related engineering experience; or a STEM master's degree and 6 years of related engineering experience; or a STEM Ph.D. and 4 years of related engineering experience.

Nice To Haves

• Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance or higher at the time of application.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• Experience with MATLAB and Python.
• Environmental testing experience.
• Experience operating data acquisition equipment.
• Configuration change management experience.
• Supply chain management of subcontractors.
• Experience presenting technical data to internal and external customers.
• Experience with failure investigation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Energetics Engineers in system design, test, and integration of energetics hardware for classified subsystems or launch vehicles.
• Develop performance predictions and conduct component- and system-level testing to validate design and functional requirements.
• Apply engineering principles, industry and company standards, and customer requirements to develop energetics systems for launch vehicle applications.
• Use analytical data and engineering principles to define problems and calculate characteristics that meet specifications, design needs, and interface requirements.
• Define, scope, and plan engineering tasks; develop detailed plans, conceptual designs, and risk assessments.
• Serve as Control Account Manager and perform associated Earned Value Management System reporting.
• Interface with internal and external customers to support system requirements and product and subsystem specifications.
• Provide technical guidance and direction throughout design, test, production, and maintenance.
• Develop and present technical and programmatic materials for project briefings and design reviews.
• Perform hands-on functional and environmental testing of pneumatic and energetics components and systems.
• Support the Integrated Product Team as the responsible engineer for a medium-sized subcontract, coordinating supplier changes, nonconformances, hardware acceptance reviews, and other supplier interactions.
• Oversee supplier deliverables to ensure technical compliance and schedule adherence.
• Disposition nonconforming hardware and lead anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Conduct pre-launch engineering reviews of as-built vehicle hardware and pre-launch data, assess flight readiness, and coordinate with flight field teams.
• Oversee integration and checkout of energetics hardware at flight-test field sites and participate in launch operations.
• Lead post-flight data review and documentation of performance, issues, and lessons learned.
• Conduct trade studies and evaluate alternative designs to optimize performance, cost, risk, and schedule.
• Develop new or enhanced designs for complex materials, components, and functional systems.
• Identify customer needs and innovative solutions, and proactively improve methods and processes.
• Support new business activities and contribute to technical and cost proposal materials.
• Travel up to 10% of the time to supplier and launch facilities.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off 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: Senior