Principal and Sr. Principal Survivability Engineer (Level 3 or 4)

Northrop Grumman • Oklahoma City, OK

76d • $90,300 - $165,500

About The Position

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. The Survivability Engineer 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of engineering experience, or 3 years with a Master's degree for Principal Survivability Engineer (Level 3).
• Bachelor's Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 8 years of engineering experience, or 6 years with a Master's degree for Senior Principal Survivability Engineer (Level 4).
• A current active U.S. Government in-scope DoD Secret security clearance or higher is required to start, with the ability to obtain and maintain SAP/SAR clearance.
• Significant experience in Low Observable Materials and Processes (LO M&P), specifically in applying, evaluating, and optimizing materials for survivability applications.
• Comprehension of materials selection for electromagnetic performance and understanding the balance with structural integrity.
• Proficiency in materials testing methods (mechanical, thermal, environmental, EM properties) and interpreting lab results.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze materials issues, conduct root cause analysis of failures, and provide effective solutions for material performance in aerospace applications.
• 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.
• Experience reading and reviewing technical drawings, specifications and manufacturing plans.
• 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.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes: composite layup, coating application, adhesives bonding, curing, and repair techniques.

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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees