Engineer Survivability - Materials (El Segundo CA)

Northrop Grumman • El Segundo, CA

3d • $101,000 - $151,400 • Onsite

About The Position

The Engineer Survivability - Materials will be essential in enhancing the survivability of defense systems through the application of advanced materials and processes. The candidate will apply principles of chemistry, physics, and material science to investigate material issues and provide solutions within the Survivability discipline. Responsibilities include analyzing, researching, and developing materials and their related application processes that optimize performance in structures, systems, and subsystems. The selected candidate will leverage principles of chemistry, physics, and material science to investigate material issues, ensuring the integration of survivability features into both new designs and existing systems. This position will be located on site in El Segundo, CA and may require up to 10% travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) with 2 years of related experience; OR Masters degree in a STEM discipline with 0 years of related experience.
• Experience in Low Observable Materials and Processes (LO M&P).
• Comprehension of materials selection for electromagnetic performance.
• Proficiency in materials testing methods (mechanical, thermal, environmental, EM properties) and interpreting lab results.
• Knowledge of fabrication and application processes for specialty materials, including coatings, adhesives, and composite structures used in aircraft.
• Familiarity with military specifications and standards, as well as experience interfacing with military customers related to survivability requirements.
• Skilled in creating process specifications, test plans, technical reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working on projects requiring cross-collaboration with other disciplines.
• Comfortable working with design, manufacturing, quality, and production teams to ensure material/process compliance.
• A current active U.S. Government in-scope Secret Security Clearance is required to start, with the ability to obtain and maintain SAP/SAR and any other program access(es) required for the position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working on military aircraft, specifically in the context of survivability engineering and LO materials.
• Advanced degree (M.S./Ph.D.) preferred, particularly with a focus on polymers, composites, or coatings.
• Excellent communication skills for preparing and presenting detailed technical reports and findings.
• Experience with material obsolescence issues, including qualifying and selecting replacement materials.
• Experience working with material suppliers and troubleshooting issues on site.
• Experience reading and reviewing technical drawings, specifications and manufacturing plans.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze materials issues, conduct root cause analysis of failures, and provide effective solutions for material performance in aerospace applications.
• Understanding of Aircraft Survivability to include susceptibility and vulnerability.
• Experience in modelling and simulation.
• Preferred competence in a high-level coding language. For example, Python, C#, MATLAB, etc.
• Experience with Northrop Grumman proprietary computational electromagnetic analysis codes or similar computational electromagnetic analysis codes used by industry.
• Knowledge of Applied Electromagnetics / Aircraft Survivability, and a Comprehensive understanding of Electromagnetic Energy transmission through space and within materials.
• Demonstrated expertise in low observable materials, including absorbers, specialty coatings, adhesives, or composites.
• Hands-on experience with material characterization methods (e.g., dielectric properties, mechanical testing, environmental durability).
• Knowledge of electromagnetic performance testing for LO materials and correlation with processing/chemistry.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes: composite layup, coating application, adhesives bonding, curing, and repair techniques.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, research, and develop materials and their related application processes that optimize performance in structures, systems, and subsystems.
• Leverage principles of chemistry, physics, and material science to investigate material issues, ensuring the integration of survivability features into both new designs and existing systems.
• Utilize the latest classified technology to minimize the detectability of aircraft across electromagnetic, infrared, visual, and acoustic spectrums.
• Use proprietary analysis codes to forecast design performance and validate predictions through physical model testing.
• Balance the optimization of stealth properties with requirements from other engineering disciplines and ensure compliance with survivability requirements during the design process.
• Work collaboratively in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment to achieve customer goals in a fast-paced and diverse work setting.
• Offer real-time solutions to production issues based on previous aircraft systems and Low Observable (LO) experience.

Benefits

• Relocation assistance may be available
• health insurance coverage
• life and disability insurance
• savings plan
• Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• overtime
• shift differential
• discretionary bonus

What This Job Offers

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