Propulsion Engineers / Design Engineers – 4

Northrop Grumman • Magna, UT

1d • $122,800 - $184,200 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is hiring Level 4 engineers for its Design and Analysis department in Promontory or Magna, Utah. Candidates may be matched to teams focused on solid rocket motor nozzle design, NASA SLS integration, loaded motor design and structural analysis, propulsion and cast propellant design, composite rocket motor cases, or metal structures. Engineers develop solutions that balance technical performance, cost, and schedule for government and commercial programs. The position follows a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off, and requires travel 10% of the time. Relocation assistance may be available.

Depending on team assignment, the role supports the design, analysis, testing, and production of solid rocket motor hardware, including nozzles, cases, propellant, integration hardware, bonded structures, and metal components. Work may include creating 3D models and engineering drawings, conducting trade studies and structural analyses, evaluating test data, planning and supporting testing, assisting production teams with problem solving, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams. Engineers also develop technical documentation, present design reviews and briefings, and help improve standard engineering processes, methods, and tools.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in a classical engineering or STEM discipline and eight years of professional experience, a master’s degree and six years, or a PhD and four years. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance and pass a Federal Safe Explosives Act background check. The role’s primary salary range is $122,800 to $184,200. Northrop Grumman describes its benefits as including health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company-paid holidays, and paid time off; employees may also be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on position.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a classical engineering or STEM discipline with 8 years of professional experience, or master’s degree with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance.
• Ability to pass a background check for the Federal Safe Explosives Act (SEA).
• Strong understanding of solid mechanics and classical mechanics principles.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Detail oriented while able to understand the big picture.
• Strong problem-solving skills; self-starter and highly self-motivated.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Basic knowledge of or strong interest in solid rocket motors and their structural and propellant makeup.
• Experience or strong aptitude with 3D CAD modeling and mechanical drawings, or familiarity and proficiency with finite element/structural analysis tools such as Abaqus or ANSYS.

Nice To Haves

• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to clearly present technical content in email, reports, and design reviews.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accurate technical documentation.
• Experience with modern engineering tools such as Siemens NX or equivalent CAD and/or commercial FEA software such as Abaqus or ANSYS.
• Familiarity with statistics and statistical methods for analysis-focused roles.
• Knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis for design-focused roles.
• Experience supporting manufacturing or production.
• Experience with solid rocket motors.
• Knowledge of Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems engineering drafting processes.
• Previous fabrication or inspection experience, rocket motor design experience, or aerospace design experience.
• Nozzle team: experience designing or manufacturing solid rocket motor nozzle hardware; familiarity with basic structural or thermal behavior of nozzle materials; participation in or support of post-fire hardware evaluations.
• NASA SLS integration team: experience designing or manufacturing rocket motor integration hardware and large booster assemblies.
• Loaded motor/bonded structures team: experience evaluating bonded and non-metallic solid rocket motor components; familiarity with viscoelastic material behavior and structural analysis of bonded structures.
• Propellant/cast motor team: experience supporting the design of cast-propellant regions and related rocket motor components; familiarity with propellant casting processes and general structural behavior of propellant and insulation systems.
• Composite case structures team: experience designing or manufacturing composite rocket motor case hardware; familiarity with composite structural analysis, laminate/CLT concepts, and structural FEA in ABAQUS/CAE.
• Metal structures team: experience designing or manufacturing metal components, forgings, and bolted joints; familiarity with general structural analysis of metallic structures.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, analysis, testing, and production of solid rocket motor hardware, including nozzles, cases, propellant, integration hardware, bonded structures, and metal components.
• Provide accurate, on-time 3D models, engineering drawings, and specifications for rocket motor components.
• Participate in trade studies and facilitate design changes that balance technical performance, cost, and schedule.
• Develop engineering documentation, including drawings, specifications, design and analysis reports, test plans, and test reports.
• Perform structural analysis using closed-form and finite element methods; evaluate test data to draw conclusions and refine models.
• Plan and support development, qualification, and production testing of flight hardware and test articles.
• Provide production and floor support, including problem solving, anomaly resolution, and disposition of non-conformances.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams, including Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, Thermal, Structural, Materials, and Test, to ensure requirements are met.
• Develop and present technical content for design reviews and briefings to internal and external customers.
• Learn and help maintain standard design and analysis processes, and improve methods and tools using test data and advanced analysis techniques.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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 discretionary bonus, depending on position
• Relocation assistance may be available

What This Job Offers

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