Senior Principal Engineer Mechanical (Level 4 - ITME)
About The Position
Northrop Grumman’s Western Region Manufacturing and Operations, Mechanical & Environmental Test Engineering Department is seeking a Senior Principal Engineer Mechanical (Level 4 - ITME) for an in-person position in Redondo Beach, California. The role supports Space Systems programs and involves planning and coordinating the operations needed to build and test flight hardware, from subassemblies through complete systems. The work is primarily at Space Park, with periodic travel depending on program requirements; travel is listed as 10%. The engineer works with program management, systems engineering, flight hardware design engineers, logistical support services, technicians, and other technical disciplines. The role is responsible for procurement, manufacturing, integration, test, and delivery of a work package, including cost and schedule responsibility and technical execution. It also involves developing tests and detailed mechanical integration and test procedures, supporting producibility, documenting and resolving anomalies and hardware non-conformances, and operating in a complex restricted production environment with responsibility for program protection. The position requires strong organizational, leadership, interpersonal, planning, decision-making, conflict-resolution, and communication skills. The standard work schedule is 9/80, with nine-hour days Monday through Thursday and every other Friday off. Relocation assistance may be available. An active Top Secret/SCI clearance with in-scope SSBI and an active CI polygraph are required at application; the successful candidate must be willing and able to obtain and maintain SAP access.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in a STEM discipline and at least 8 years of related engineering experience, or a Master of Science in a STEM discipline and at least 6 years of related engineering experience.
- Experience working on multidisciplinary teams in an Integration, Test, and Launch (IT&L) or manufacturing environment.
- Extensive technical experience with space vehicle mechanical systems, architecture, testing, and manufacturing procedures.
- Strong long-term planning skills, including resource allocation and schedule execution.
- Excellent decision-making and conflict-resolution skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and technical presentation experience.
- Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance with in-scope SSBI and active Counterintelligence polygraph at the time of application.
- Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain SAP access.
- U.S. citizenship is required for positions requiring a government clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Active SAP access.
- At least 2 years of experience in a space systems rapid development, technology transition, or Mission Class C-aligned business area.
- Familiarity with CAM roles and responsibilities.
- Direct experience leading teams through highly demanding test environments in aerospace.
Responsibilities
- Own procurement, manufacturing, integration, test, and delivery for a work package, including cost and schedule responsibility and technical execution.
- Design tests to verify system requirements.
- Promote design-for-producibility principles throughout work-package execution and participate in production teams.
- Develop detailed mechanical integration and test procedures for technicians to execute.
- Document and remedy test anomalies and hardware non-conformances.
- Coordinate across technical disciplines to define operations and complete work efficiently.
- Support end-to-end program protection in a complex, restricted production environment.
- Balance technical execution with team skill development and morale during demanding schedules or mission-critical phases.
- Plan resources and execute schedules over the long term.
- Drive alignment across program functions to meet deadlines while prioritizing first-time quality and organizational sustainability.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 401(k).
- Educational assistance.
- Life insurance.
- Employee assistance programs and work/life solutions.
- Paid time off.
- Health and wellness resources.
- Employee discounts.
- Disability insurance.
- Company-paid holidays.
- Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus, depending on position.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
