GNC Engineer: Aerodynamics (Level 4) Chandler (AHT)

Northrop Grumman•Chandler, AZ

2d•$122,800 - $184,200•Onsite

About The Position

The GNC Aerodynamics Engineering Team is hiring for a Sr. Principal Engineer located in Chandler, Arizona. Aerodynamics is critical to the success of launch vehicle missions—shaping performance, stability, and safety from concept through flight. In this role, you will lead advanced aerodynamic design and support wind tunnel experimentation in a highly technical environment. Due to the nature of the work, this position will be 100% on-site. This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 4 years of professional experience. Will consider an additional 4+ years of experience in lieu of degree.
Must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
Must be experienced with 6DOF aerodynamic model development.
Must have experience with Python and the Linux operating system.
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with autopilot and guidance algorithm design and navigation and actuator subsystems.
Experience with wind tunnel test planning and execution.
Experience with CFD.
Experience combining multiple data sources to create a cohesive aerodynamic 6DOF model.
Proven cross-functional technical leadership.

Responsibilities

Take a lead role in the creation of advanced launch vehicle aerodynamic designs and support your team through all phases from conceptual and preliminary analyses to integration and testing.
Perform aerodynamic configuration trade studies on mission performance, including effects of static and dynamic stability and control, propulsion, and mass properties.
Develop aerodynamic models for use in 6 degree of freedom launch vehicle simulation models (table generation with logical dependencies, uncertainty analyses, V&V techniques).
Design and support wind tunnel testing programs.
Present your work and technical findings to management and senior leadership through design reviews, program milestones, technical reports, proposals, and formal customer presentations.
Prepare and plan staffing requirements to support development of rocket vehicle design from concept to flight.
Manage tasks and schedule to ensure smooth coordination with program teams and other leads.
Assign, monitor, and review the work of your team for accuracy.
Apply your experience in a wide range of flight regimes (subsonic, transonic, supersonic, hypersonic, rarefied flows).
Use legacy aerodynamic computer analysis programs (CFD & industry codes: Fluent, DSMC, Loci-Chem, Fun3D, Cart3D, Missile Datcom).
Lead wind tunnel testing and evaluation (transonic and supersonic).
Conduct launch vehicle aeroelastic analyses (distributed loads, deflected vehicle effects).
Address launch vehicle venting analysis requirements and engineering methodologies.
Other duties as assigned