Sentinel Sr Principal Aerothermal Engineer - 18239

Northrop Grumman•Roy, UT

5d•$122,800 - $203,600•Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking a Sr. Principal Aerothermal Engineer to support Advanced Programs in Roy, Utah. This role may offer a competitive relocation assistance package and is contingent upon award. The ideal candidate is a team player with strong independent contribution skills, leadership abilities, demonstrated problem-solving skills, excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and a proactive, detail-oriented approach. The position requires working in classified environments and handling sensitive data appropriately, with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) discipline from an accredited university and 8 years of relevant experience, OR a Masters degree and 6 years of relevant experience, OR a PhD and 4 years of relevant experience.
US Citizen with an active DoD Secret Clearance, at time of application, current and within scope, with an investigation date within the last 6 years.
Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance and Special Access Program (SAP) approval within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Demonstrated experience in aerothermal analysis and CFD-based modeling for aerospace or defense applications (e.g., missile, hypersonic, or reentry vehicles).
Experience using thermal analysis tools such as SINDA/G, SINDA/FLUINT, Thermal Desktop, or equivalent to develop and optimize thermal control designs.
Proven ability to work with and coordinate across multiple engineering disciplines (e.g., structures, systems, propulsion, test) and to document, communicate, and present technical analyses and design recommendations to leadership and customers.

Nice To Haves

Active DoD Top Secret Clearance.
Expertise in high-speed/hypersonic flow physics, including boundary-layer transition, shock-wave interactions, and aeroheating, with experience applying CFD solvers such as CFD++ to these regimes.
Experience with high-temperature materials, ablative/advanced TPS design, and fluid-structure/aerothermal-structural coupling for missile, reentry, or space vehicle applications.
Hands-on experience planning and executing aerothermal and thermal tests (e.g., wind tunnel, arc-jet, plasma facilities, subsystem-level thermal tests) and correlating analytical models to test or flight data.
Background spanning the system lifecycle for missile, hypersonic, reentry, or space vehicles (concept development through design, integration, test, and flight/operational support), including experience with aerospace standard design tools (e.g., NX, CATIA) and multi-disciplinary design optimization.

Responsibilities

Perform aerothermal modeling and analysis to predict heat loads, thermal response, and aerodynamic performance of high-speed missiles.
Develop, refine, and execute aerothermal simulations (e.g., CFD++, ANSYS or equivalent) for shock-dominated, high-temperature flows and boundary-layer transition, and interpret results to guide design.
Perform detailed thermal analysis of vehicle and thermal protection system (TPS) materials, accounting for conduction, convection, and radiation, and develop thermal control designs that meet system requirements.
Plan, support, and interpret aerothermal and thermal test activities (e.g., wind tunnel, arc-jet/plasma, subsystem and component-level thermal tests) and use results to validate and calibrate analytical models.
Collaborate with structures, materials, systems, propulsion, and test engineering teams to integrate aerothermal and TPS designs with overall vehicle architecture and to support multi-disciplinary design trade studies.
Develop and maintain aerothermal/thermal requirements, analysis documentation, design artifacts, and review/approve drawings for thermal and aerothermal hardware content.
Present analysis methods, results, and design recommendations to internal management, external customers, and at formal design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) to support technical decision making and risk reduction.
Work and execute independently with minimal technical oversight, exercising considerable latitude in determining technical objectives, while providing technical leadership and guidance within the propulsion supplier management team.
Ensure compliance with applicable DoD and program security requirements, including working in classified environments and handling sensitive data appropriately.
Provide technical input on the cost, schedule, and risk impacts of aerothermal and thermal design and test decisions to support planning during the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase.