Sr Principal Engineer Aeronautical - Performance and Sizing

Northrop Grumman • San Diego, CA

4h • $142,200 - $213,400

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems – Research & Advanced Design develops advanced concepts and mission-ready capabilities, including next-generation aircraft and collaborative autonomous platforms. The team works across the lifecycle of concept creation, from early-stage design and rapid prototyping to demonstrations and technical challenges in survivability, autonomy, and battle management.

The Sr Principal Engineer Aeronautical will conduct preliminary design synthesis and analysis for advanced manned and unmanned air vehicles, with a focus on vehicle performance and sizing. The role develops and documents technical solutions, presents results, briefs external customers, guides design teams toward program goals, and supports proposals and business development. The position supports vehicle programs for government organizations including the Air Force, Navy, NASA, and DARPA. The role requires an active, in-scope U.S. Government Secret or higher clearance at the start, with the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access. Travel is listed as 25% in the job details; the basic qualifications also specify willingness to travel 10%. Relocation assistance may be available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8 years of related engineering experience, or a Master’s degree in STEM with 6 years of related engineering experience, or a Ph.D. in STEM with 4 years of related engineering experience.
• Understanding of aircraft performance analysis and general knowledge of related disciplines.
• Understanding of conceptual air vehicle sizing analysis and numerical methods.
• 6 or more years of experience with one or more of Python, MATLAB, C++, Fortran, or Linux.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-3013B.
• Ability and willingness to travel; basic qualifications state 10% of the time.
• An active, in-scope U.S. Government (DoD)-issued Secret or higher security clearance is required to start, with the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP/PAR).

Nice To Haves

• Three plus (9+) years of experience in Vehicle Performance and Sizing and Flight Sciences engineering disciplines.
• Understanding of fundamental aircraft design, aerodynamic, and propulsion parameters.
• Versatility in applying technical solutions to a wide range of problems in an imaginative, thorough, and practicable manner.
• Experience assessing mission performance, turn performance, kinematic maneuvering, takeoff and landing, and aircraft sizing.
• Experience with conceptual development and sizing of air vehicles around HTEP and LH2 propulsion architectures and integration of the necessary fuel systems for those architectures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct preliminary design synthesis and analysis of advanced manned and unmanned air vehicles.
• Develop technical solutions to difficult problems in an imaginative, thorough, and practicable manner; document and present results.
• Interact with and brief external customers.
• Support vehicle performance and sizing analysis for programs sponsored by government organizations such as the Air Force, Navy, NASA, and DARPA.
• Guide design teams in executing program goals.
• Support proposal and business development activities.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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