Principal Engineer Survivability - Low Observable (Whiteman AFB)

Northrop Grumman • Whiteman AFB, MO

2d • $77,000 - $115,600 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is hiring a Principal Engineer Survivability - Low Observable for an on-site position at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. The role provides low observable technical expertise in a high-tempo military operational environment and serves as a liaison to the government engineering authority at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, as well as supporting Northrop Grumman engineering organizations. The candidate must be willing to accompany the customer on CONUS and OCONUS deployment assignments, which may vary in duration and account for up to 25% travel.

The position supports aircraft maintenance and survivability by diagnosing and resolving complex maintenance discrepancies, analyzing low observable data and performance trends, documenting maintenance activity, and recommending repairs and process improvements. It also contributes to technical and logistics support, engineering dispositions, technical data updates, aircraft upgrades, and program planning. The role requires regular engagement with aircraft maintainers and customers, and work must comply with governing policies and procedures, including requirements for tool control, quality, safety, and aircraft maintenance documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science and 5 years of relevant experience in low observables, aircraft survivability, aircraft maintenance, military experience, or other related experience; or a master’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience; or a PhD and 1 year of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience with low observable materials and processes, including application, evaluation, and inspection of materials used in survivability and signature-control applications.
• Strong understanding of material properties and behavior as they relate to electromagnetic performance and signature management.
• Strong understanding of aircraft hourly post-operation (HPO) inspections and assessments related to aircraft survivability, including identification, documentation, and disposition of low observable and survivability-related discrepancies.
• Working knowledge of applicable military specifications, standards, and test requirements, and experience interfacing with military customers on survivability, low observables, and related compliance topics.
• Solid understanding of aircraft survivability principles, including susceptibility, vulnerability, and integration of low observable features into air vehicle designs and operations.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret SCI Security Clearance and ability to obtain a Special Access Program clearance.
• Willingness to accompany the customer on CONUS and OCONUS deployment assignments.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in low observable technical data, including Air Force T.O.s and Northrop Grumman engineering and process specifications.
• Expertise in low observable materials.

Responsibilities

• Integrate into a high-tempo military operational environment.
• Identify technical issues and recommend solutions for repair dispositions and technical data updates by researching Air Force technical data and prior engineering support requests.
• Document maintenance activities, analyze data for emerging failure trends, and recommend ways to reduce aircraft downtime and improve maintenance practices.
• Advise on low observable and structures system maintenance tasks.
• Provide technical and logistics support and periodic status updates to customers and the program management team.
• Assist the customer in resolving complex aircraft maintenance discrepancies and anomalies using comprehensive technical expertise.
• Provide expertise in operating aircraft ground support equipment and tools used for aircraft maintenance.
• Develop expertise in structures and aircraft systems to support the customer across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ensure support and maintenance operations comply with governing policies and procedures, including tool control, quality, safety, and aircraft maintenance documentation requirements.
• Support technical interchange meetings and development of program plans related to problem analysis, aircraft upgrades, engineering dispositions, and technical studies and support.
• Engage regularly with aircraft maintainers at all levels to resolve maintenance issues that could otherwise cause aircraft downtime.
• Analyze low observable data to identify component and system performance trends and defects, and contribute to root cause analysis.
• Participate in process teams and ad hoc groups developing or updating technical data and repair timelines.
• Accompany the customer on CONUS and OCONUS deployment assignments, with travel up to 25%.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Savings plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on the position.
• Relocation assistance may be available.

What This Job Offers

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