Engineer or Principal Engineer Material & Process
About The Position
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems is hiring a Material & Process Engineer at either Engineer (Level 2) or Principal Engineer (Level 3) level. The position is based full-time onsite in El Segundo, California, and supports materials and process development, characterization, and qualification for composite laminates, sandwich structures, and adhesively bonded assemblies. The engineer researches, analyzes, and tests materials and related fabrication and application processes to develop and optimize materials for aeronautical structures, systems, and subsystems. The role supports Structural Certification Development (SCD) Engineering Building Block (EBB) test programs for composite and adhesively bonded structures, including test-program design and execution, specimen fabrication, testing, failure analysis, mechanical-data reduction, and reporting findings to stakeholders. It also supports development of nondestructive inspection (NDI) composite reference standards for production inspections, working with Design, Program Manufacturing, and Quality to align test materials, processes, and designs with production bonded joints and interfaces. Additional work includes developing composite materials and process specifications, design allowables, and fabrication and assembly processes; conducting failure analysis and life predictions; preparing requirements; reviewing and approving subcontractor material-processing procedures; coordinating laboratory testing and vendor-product evaluations; documenting and presenting test results; resolving manufacturing problems; and managing project costs, schedules, and progress. A current in-scope U.S. Government Secret clearance is required, and the employee must be able to obtain a Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable period as determined by the company. Relocation assistance may be available. Travel is 10%.
Requirements
- Engineer level: Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and at least 2 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in a STEM field with no years of experience.
- Principal Engineer level: Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and at least 5 years of relevant experience; Master's degree in a STEM field and 3 years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. with no experience.
- At least 2 years of related experience developing and characterizing composites, writing test plans, documenting test results, and producing test reports and briefings.
- Engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing environments.
- Experience with polymer matrix composites, secondary reinforcement materials, film adhesives, bonding processes, and mechanical and physical property testing.
- Familiarity with composite and bonded-structure NDI methods, including UT, thermography, and radiography, and associated acceptance criteria.
- Working knowledge of industry specifications and standards relevant to composites, including ASTM and AMS.
- Ability to work cross-functionally with Design, Stress, Manufacturing, and Quality teams.
- Current in-scope U.S. Government Secret clearance.
- Ability to obtain a Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
- Ability to work full-time onsite in El Segundo.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree in Materials Science or Chemistry from an accredited university.
- Aerospace and defense industry experience with an active U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret clearance.
- Familiarity with composite materials allowables and strength retention factor development.
- Familiarity with NDI reference standard development and inspection technique correlation.
- Experience presenting technical results to leadership and external customers.
- Experience authoring engineering reports and specifications.
- Familiarity with material and process optimization methods for producibility initiatives and developing DOE test programs.
Responsibilities
- Support the Structural Certification Development team in developing and executing Engineering Building Block composite and adhesively bonded structure test programs.
- Design and execute test programs, including fabrication of test specimens, post-test failure analysis, mechanical-results data reduction, and reporting findings to stakeholders.
- Develop nondestructive inspection composite reference standards for program production inspections.
- Coordinate with Design, Program Manufacturing, and Quality to align materials, processes, and designs with production bonded joints and interfaces.
- Review engineering drawings and shop aids; write fabrication work plans for composite and bonded structures; oversee laboratory fabrication; and coordinate quality inspections, including NDI, visual inspection, and cross-sectional photomicrographic analysis.
- Support development, characterization, and qualification of composite laminates, sandwich structures, and adhesively bonded assemblies.
- Develop composite-related materials and process specifications, design allowables, and fabrication and assembly processes.
- Perform failure analysis of components, systems, and subsystems; conduct life predictions; and prepare definition and requirement specifications.
- Review and approve subcontractor material-processing procedures.
- Coordinate with test laboratories by writing test plans, evaluating vendor material products, documenting test results, and producing test reports and briefing materials for aerospace-grade composite material systems.
- Solve manufacturing problems and develop detailed materials and process requirements from program requirements.
- Perform project management activities, including developing cost estimates and schedules and tracking project progress and cost.
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Savings plan
- Company-paid holidays
- Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
- Depending on the position, eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
